Daily Soccer Fix: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
New Blog: Along The Olentangy for Ohio State Fans!

MLS considers a 34-game schedule

Major League Soccer is considering a move to a 34-game regular season schedule, an increase in four matches per team.

You can read more about the details here at SI.com, where I first had the news in a piece posted this morning.

But this is no slam dunk. Two committees (the technical committee and then the influential competition committee, which includes some high-profile owners and coaches) will help make a recommendation. Owners will then vote during meetings at November’s MLS Cup in Toronto.

I can also tell you that there are few “proceed with caution” attitudes among some team officials. They know that opening the stadium doors provides, in most cases, more opportunities to make money. Most markets have reached the point that even a midweek contest will put a few more coins in the club bucket. (Maybe not as much as a weekend contest, but markets where teams control the revenue stream can, at the least, make a few bucks even when attendance is relatively light.)

But … (click forth for the “but”)

Star-divide

Some team officials are also concerned about players overuse. (Because all of this was discussed in closed-door owners meetings, coaches, GMs and technical directors can’t go on the record just yet as they talk generally about these things.)

With U.S. Open Cup, SuperLiga, CONCACAF Champions League and then the MLS playoffs, teams could easily reach 45 competitive matches.

I know what you’re saying: teams in Europe hit that number all the time. Fair enough. But the travel in most of those countries doesn’t come close to what teams face here. And the weather is obviously a different animal, too. Step outside and you’ll see.

So, the choice of whether to go to 34 games is really all tied into the important decisions ahead on roster expansion and the newly recreated reserve division.

I like the idea, personally, but I do see the other side of it all.

0 recs  |  Comment 14 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Personally don’t see it.

I am new to being a fan of MLS but I just think it’s a little too early. Get to the point where the league is really successful before adding a bunch more games, IMO.

by I need more Esteban on Jul 30, 2010 10:52 AM EDT reply actions  

I think we'll see 34 games,

and when the league expands to 20 teams, I think we’ll see a 38 game schedule. Every team should play the other team twice.

by phillyhoosfan on Jul 30, 2010 10:58 AM EDT reply actions  

How do you do 38 games

And Playoffs
And avoid FIFA dates
And avoid weeknights
And play the Open Cup
And play CCL
And play Superliga?

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jul 30, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions  

Fine

That gets you four more weeks

but 8 more games

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jul 30, 2010 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

Why avoid weeknights?

Europe does weeknight games to make room for tournaments. They’re not ideal, but if it works…

To also help with increased games, why not start the league a couple weeks earlier? Or increase roster size limits?

Either way bottom line… Europe has figured out a way to play their 38 games, plus all the various tournaments they participate in. I’m sure we could too.

by chrisperry1983 on Jul 30, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

Well, people show up for weeknight matches in Europe

Not true here.

They have a shorter break for most of the leagues than MLS does so that gets them more time.

Starting up to two weeks earlier could be pursued, but many MLS cities’ March is not “soccer” weather

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Jul 30, 2010 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

Have you been to Columbus in February?

"If Brown is the answer, then you’re asking the wrong question." - Ryan

by woodsmeister on Aug 1, 2010 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

I actually wrote a piece for Black and Red United a few weeks ago speculating about how the MLS can handle expansion. What do you guys think?

A Capital Wasteland - art & hockey from Washington, D.C.

by Jake Shapiro on Jul 30, 2010 11:04 AM EDT reply actions  

This is a small jump

the league did 32 matches just 4 years ago and handled it without any major issues, there were still playoffs, FIFA dates, Open Cup and some version of CCL. You can’t avoid weeknights, but hell we have to have weeknight matches cause it is the only time ESPN will show the damm league anyhow.

I do think it will take expanding the roster to 30, 24 senior and 6 developmental, and I would like to see a regional developmental league as well.

I don’t think the league will go past a 34, just because of the limits of weather in some markets, you can’t really start before the end of April in a lot of markets.

by denz on Jul 30, 2010 12:25 PM EDT reply actions  

I don't really see the point

I mean, what’s the use of expanding the regular season by four games if you still have a playoff? I can’t see that it would make much of a difference except for a couple of teams on the bubble (although an 8 seed did win the Cup last season).

Not mediocre. Right about average

by trza on Jul 30, 2010 12:50 PM EDT reply actions  

It could work

But MLS needs to increase rosters and get (yeah, I don’ t know how) Warner to adjust the Champion’s League format. CCL doesn’t need a full group stage. Uefa CL has a group stage because they can make money off of it, and that’s why big euro teams tolerate it. There’s no reason to shoehorn concacaf’s tournament into the uefa format, though.

by ARSL on Jul 30, 2010 12:56 PM EDT reply actions  

Bigger Squads Required

I don’t think MLS can handle anymore games without increasing both the cap and the roster size. IMHO, the MLS roster size needs to be increased by 2-4 players with a bump in the cap size by at least 10%.

Currently, the top teams in MLS don’t have the depth to handle Open Cup, CCL and MLS play. Some teams decide to just focus on MLS play and get royally embarrassed in Open Cup and CCL games (see also Galaxy, LA). Teams that really try to compete in all three areas risk injuring their key players.

I personally think the tough schedule last year really hurt DC United. This year the Sounders were hurt by the tight schedule of MLS games early in the season. Part of the tight schedule early was to make way for CCL and Open Cup games later in the season.

The only answer I can think of under the current CBA is to cancel some of the meaningless friendlies (including SuperLiga).

by Dizzo on Jul 30, 2010 2:22 PM EDT reply actions  

It makes sense

more matches, more profit. Perhaps to cut down on time travel they can keep it to regional games. You know Philly, DC, New York, and say NE or Columbus. etc. It can really create great rivalries if somebody on the bubble needs those games, plus it would be more likely to have a decent turnout for weeknight matches. Plus as said above, perhaps more TV coverage for the weeknight games. More exposure is always good. It would take some juggling but it is a very feasible idea.

"I will never have my best season," Brian Dawkins

"There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." Bruce Lee

"This fucking game is over!" Chuck Bednarik

"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth" Mike Tyson

by Talon Talent on Jul 30, 2010 9:21 PM EDT reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

SB Nation's soccer blog is heavy on the domestic game -- flavored with a dash the global greatness
Start posting on Daily Soccer Fix »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Prosser_small
No more draws in the World Cup
61g1kk9uxel
A very early look at possible 2014 starters for the US
Aerial_20view_20of_20slough_20trading_20estate_20a_small
If I Ran The Vancouver Whitecaps
Yosef_small
Keeping Bob
Tiger_eats_chicken_small
A humdrum World Cup Final
Tor_201_small
World Cup Controversy
Mostdiggity_small
Do Americans Really Hate Soccer?
Tor_201_small
What I Hope to see; Spain v. Netherlands
Small
Bah! Brazil lost b/c they were dressed like France!
Soccer_ball_small
Coaching Options for USMNT

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SBNation.com Recent Stories

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 12:  Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany controls the ball during the Germany training session ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa match against Australia at Moses Mabhida on June 12, 2010 in Durban, South Africa.  (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) +1 updates

Euro 2012 Qualifying, Preview: The Journey To Poland-Ukraine Starts In Earnest Tomorrow

CARSON CA - AUGUST 28: Jimmy Conrad #12 of the Kansas City Wizards volleys a pass to teammate Shavar Thomas #6 under pressure from Landon Donovan #10 of the Los Angeles Galaxy in the second half of their MLS match at The Home Depot Center on August 28 2010 in Carson California. The Wizards defeated the Galaxy 2-0. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)

SBNhanced Power Rankings: Major League Soccer, Week 22

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 24:  Head coach Bob Bradley of USA looks on as his team warms up during training session on June 24, 2010 in Pretoria, South Africa. United States will play their second round World Cup match against Ghana on Saturday, June 26, 2010, at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa.  (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

United States Soccer And Bob Bradley: New Challenges, New Contract, Same Coach

More from SBNation.com >


Managers

Daily_soccer_fix_crest_small Steve Davis