The Summer of Soccer, Soccer United Marketing's blitz of big clubs and big (kinda) tournaments, is in full swing. Included in the flurry of games and big time match ups is more than a few friendlies between MLS clubs and European competition.

These game draw fan and media attention alike, and in a way that goes beyond the minor-league treatment the sport normally gets. Highly-paid players with European and World Cup victories on their resumes make for good TV and strong ticket sales. MLS clubs play these games for one reason and one reason only: they make money.

For that reason, because MLS and its teams need the money, we as fans are expected to put up with our clubs playing in these games, schedules being adjusted, and our players potentially getting hurt in the middle of the season. Forget the league and playoff pushes; what's really important is playing foreign clubs in front of swelled crowds so that MLS can get a few more eyes on the product and a few more bucks in their pockets.

But of course, besides the money, there is that issue of exposure. For a sport and a league that must scrape and claw to get people to notice, these games serve an important purpose. Not only do they get prime TV real estate, they bring out large crowds that play well on TV. When casual sports fans (hopefully) tune in, they're treated to a spectacle not often seen in American soccer. The thought that some of these casual fans might turn more of their attention to soccer makes the juice worth the squeeze. The non-soccer loving public isn't the only target, though. Eurosnobs remain a massive part of the untapped American market, and it's only reasonable to think that a few more of them might give MLS a shot thanks to these games.

While I certainly understand it, it doesn't mean I have to like it.

It's really only the blatant admission that these games are more important than league fixtures that gets me riled up. When teams move dates to accommodate their European guests, or bring in grass to place on turf fields, it says loud and clear "Forget MLS, what we really care about is Chelsea/AC Milan/Real Madrid".

Maybe that makes sense to you, but it couldn't seem anymore backwards to me. Clubs exist to compete in their league, for victories that matter. Championships aren't wont by beating a big club doing a barnstorming tour of America.

The sacrifices professional soccer has to make in the American sports environment...