You, my friend, are a genius.

Match Fit USA-Examining the State of American Soccer

What are you talking about? The MLS can compete witht the EPL in ratings? Is that what youare suggesting? How could that be possible? Hopes and goals are one thing but reality is quite another. The EPL draws the top players from around the world from many of the target countries you describe. That is a major factor for viewers in those countries to watch. The same is and can further be true for American and Canadian players and fans. Get our top flight players as a more recognizable brand and wow we have more viewers. This is what happens all over the world. Look at the NBA for example. We get Yao Ming and all of a sudden millions of Chinese are watching the Rockets. So the real problem in ratings is the profile level of talent and name recognition. If you want a huge English following, sign Steven Gerrard or… Beckham. To think we could compete with the EPL in ratings is ridiculus. What other league does?

I do however agree that support groups and atmosphere are and will continue to be a major factor in the spread of soccer in North America. Good crowds make the game mch more entertaining. Just go to a Dynamo game. Ask Nate Jaqua, he’ll tell you.

What are you talking about? The MLS can compete witht the EPL in ratings? Is that what youare suggesting? How could that be possible?

I’m talking about how MLS is missing a major element (ranked #2 by American fans) of why the EPL is followed. That element is fan support/stadium atmosphere. I am not at all suggesting that MLS will ever be the most watched league in the world. What i am suggesting is that as a growth brand MLS should figure out what soccer fans around the world want, and give it to them.

The EPL draws the top players from around the world from many of the target countries you describe. That is a major factor for viewers in those countries to watch. The same is and can further be true for American and Canadian players and fans. Get our top flight players as a more recognizable brand and wow we have more viewers.

Yes, more talent would certainly help, but oddly talent and quality of play are not the #1 nor the #2 reason why Americans claim they watch the EPL. Those reasons are mentioned above and are STYLE of play and FAN SUPPORT.

To think we could compete with the EPL in ratings is ridiculus. What other league does?

Certainly so, which is why I never suggested such a thing. MLS again is a growth brand, just like a growth politician, it needs every single possible viewer. It should never turn its back on any segment of its audience, but it also should not hamper those elements which would cause its growth.

Just go to a Dynamo game. Ask Nate Jaqua, he’ll tell you.
I don’t know that I will need to go to Houston for atmosphere. Seattle has a great start, there are several small steps that could do better, as there are in Houston. This was written more to spread the word around the soccer viewing community and show that American/Canadian fans aren’t just knowledgable about the game, but they are willing to watch lower levels of quality if there is evidence that the entire community cares.

I think that the demographics of this country make the fans different than any other place in the world. MLS is competing with Mexican, Central and SouthAmerican fans that are either they were born there or their parents, like myself, let’s not mention all the European fans that don’t watch anything else. I don’t think that there is the potential in Europe of fanbase for leagues in this continent because they will choose the superior league. Same reason Arena football shuts down and Xtreme football failed when the WWE tried it, the support is with the NFL.

As a believer of MLS I fully support it, I try to watch every game that I can and it makes me happy that Toronto and Seattle are doing so well even though I’m from Miami and have no team to support. However, I’m realistic and when I see empty stadiums it is a turn off and takes away from the image that MLS is trying to portray. But I believe that if we bring quality players and with the development of our own, it will give an identity to the league and will result in fan support, just as the National Team is doing.

A very intriguing read. Keep up the great work!

Enrique, the survey was of American fans of the game, and quality of play/players was ranked 3rd as to why the majority of Americans follow the EPL.

Also, did you notice my take on the IFFHS?

Hey Dave,

I was really surprised that there wasn’t a bigger response to the IFFHS ranking from the American soccer community. I have discussed this with other people and they think I’m crazy when I tell them that MLS belongs in the 20 to 30 ranking. I believe that we are going to keep gaining respect but it’s going to take a while.

MLS has big advantage over other leagues, we can have the passionate support from groups while it’s still safe for families and regular fans to attend the stadium. This is something that Latin American and certain European leagues cannot have, it’s a social problem. In a lot of countries you cannot take your kid or wife to the stadium for safety reasons, you don’t have those kind of problems here. MLS is one of the most enjoyable experiences for fans and is one of the reasons for it’s success.

I truly believe that even though it will take a lot of work, MLS in the future will be the closest think to top flight soccer in the Americas. People forget that we are the #1 consumers in the world and that there are millions of immigrants that love soccer and are willing to support if you give them a quality product. If you look at the history of the NFL, NBA and NHL, you will see many similiraties with the growth and stablishments of these leagues.

Soccer and MLS face many hurdles, but there are positive signs that we are making progress and accomplishing our goal. Seattle is the perfect example, 10 years ago nobody would have believed this.