MFUSA reader Vnice, who recently proposed an MLS/USL farm system set up for American soccer, has returned with a way to "fix" the MLS playoff structure.
It’s pretty ironic that I submit this amid reports that MLS Board of Governors is considering altering the playoff format. According to Pitch Invasion, a playoff revamp may be in the works; while it would be a little better, I still say my idea would be miles above.
A lot has been made about how much the playoffs completely stink, especially because so many want a single table. The purists are especially loud on this front. Currently, the top eight teams in MLS qualify for the playoffs, or more than half the league. As it is, the current situation makes it possible for teams from the same conference to play each other in the final, a la RBNY vs. Crew last season. That game was played at Home Depot Center in Carson, CA, far away from either team’s supporters. I remember watching the final last year, amazed at how totally lame and surreal it was. Take the current situation, add a heaping tablespoon of playing-during-international-breaks, and it makes for a very frustrating state of affairs for followers of MLS.
I’m going to bullet my major ideas first.
Single table - It just makes ridiculous amounts of sense, and for those who argue against it for playoff purposes, just keep reading.
Balanced Schedule - Each teams plays every other team twice, once at home, once on the road. End of discussion.
Calendar - I have come to accept that the American calendar should not change (more on that below), and that we might have to bite the bullet when it comes to playing during international breaks. Again, more on that below.
Sticking with the playoffs - The playoffs should remain, but the number of teams lessens, and season standings count more…a lot more.
Two-legged final - The championship semi-final and final becomes two legs, home and away. No more neutral site for the final.
The single table is just the logical way to go. Conferences are lame, and the drama of season standings his increased when they matter more. “Wait, Vnice…standings don’t count for squat, because half the league qualifies for the playoffs.” Well, the playoffs are getting a major face lift under my plan:
The number of teams goes down, from eight to either six or four.
If six teams, the Supporters Shield (SS) winner plays the team in second place for a spot in the final, two legs home and away. This way, over the two games, it gives a fair assessment as to who is really the superior team and deserves to be in the final more. The remaining four teams play a quarter final and semi final round. The quarter final is single game, home team has the better regular season standings. The semi final round is two legs, home and away. The winner of that semi final plays the winner of the game between the winner of the SS and the 2nd place team for the final over two games, home and away. I firmly believe that supporters of the teams in the final deserve to have it this way. Having the final 3000 miles from the homes of the two teams really did a disservice to their supporters, and the lack of passion in the stand was palpable.
If the playoffs are four teams, it would similar, except that the winner of the SS would get to defend their crown by getting an automatic pass into the final. The second place team would be automatically placed into the semi final round. The remaining two teams play single game elimination, the home side having the better regular season record. Semi and final would again, both be two games, home and away.
Just imagine how insane a stadium would be hosting a final for their side? Qwest and Toronto come to mind as being absolutely insane. I think even Columbus could fill up the stands pretty good if they could host a final game. It would be win-win for the league, as it would look so great on TV. That said, the final needs to be a night game. Night games just translate better on TV. Also, notice how I make regular season standings very substantial. The SS winner either plays in the final automatically or the semi final. Second place team gets in to the semi final automatically in both plans. Also, having the semi final and final should be at home and away is a logical partnering with the single table, and the significance of the regular season standings, especially the SS winner.
Ok, so would this work? What do you think?
Jason here. Just wanted to note that I may have my own post on the playoff structure in the near future; I'll probably tackle the rumored format and my feelings on it.
