The World Football Challenge and other assorted friendlies played the US this summer, featuring some of Europe's most-storied clubs and biggest names, have packed stadiums from coast to coast. Massive crowds of actual soccer fans have been treated to "quality" soccer as the barnstorming teams play out the initial stages of their pre-seasons.
If nothing else, the "Summer of Soccer" has proven that America has strong appetite for the game. The flip side of the Euro-invasion's success is the disheartening evidence that MLS is failing to reach many in this country that already have an ample interest in the sport; it's not the unconverted, non-soccer sports fan that the league must attract to reach new heights, but that footy-obsessed Eurosnob that refuses to acknowledge the domestic competition as an outlet for their passion.
It's not an easy sell. The uber-rich, super-talented footballers that line up for Chelsea, AC Milan, Inter Milan, etc. are infinitely more glamorous and attractive than the under-paid, workman-like players that populate Major League Soccer. MLS clubs lack the history and pomp of those century-old European clubs, and the American-style nicknames and wacky color schemes set them widely apart as professional soccer teams.
If Major League Soccer wants to be relevant, if they have any designs on attracting at least a few of those fans that willingly plunked down their hard-earned money to see foreign teams play, they're going to have to make a few changes. What changes might be needed, and how best to implement them are the million dollar questions; it's not something to be taken lightly, no matter how "obvious" the steps might seem to those of us on the outside.
Neither are they overnight, quick-fixes. It will continue to take time for MLS to infiltrate the existing soccer fan base in the US, as it's likely to be a slow and arduous process simply because it has to be. Still, the league must take the first baby steps to even give itself a chance, and must do it soon or risk missing out on the soccer "boom" we seem to be witnessing.
Here's the rundown: The list of issues that continue to face the league, the ones most talked about in fan and blogger circles, and the ones that have been trodden over so many times that I'm clearly being redundant.
Salaries
CBA negotiations have begun, the players and the league are meeting, and the hope is that there is some progress being made. For me, the salary issue isn't one of "fair" compensation or the ability to acquire quality alone (i.e., salary cap); it's also a matter of perception. As long as the low end of MLS salaries, as well as those of the mid-level talent that make up the bulk of league starters, sits below the six figure mark, MLS will be viewed as a poor league populated by "semi-pro" type talent, especially when juxtaposed the millionaires that line up for top-level clubs in leagues easily available to American soccer fans via television. The gap will (and should) remain massive for the foreseeable future and beyond, and many will still discount MLS players because they make a pittance compared to the Lampards and Terrys of the world; but if the league can find a way to pay the bulk of their talent a wage that at least allows them to live without roommates, it will be a giant step towards respectibility.
Scheduling
The league continues to hold on to their excuse that playing through international breaks is a financial necessity; many fans don't buy it, or if they do, want MLS to put the league on hold anyway. Even as I make allowances and take Garber's pleas of poverty (figurative, of course) at face value, I still believe that the growth of MLS as a quality soccer product is being stunted by the refusal to address the issue. Choosing a few dates a season to work around, while playing through others, seems like a reasonable compromise. While no one would be entirely happy, it would be a clear sign that MLS wants to operate within the framework of the greater footballing world. Eurosnobs and their kin will continue to point in derision at MLS for as long as the league holds out.
Atmosphere
I'm of the solidly held opinion that the lack of consistent atmosphere is one of the biggest turn-offs for fans who naturally look to Europe for their football fix; for every massive Seattle and Toronto crowd, there's minuscule attendance in other cities that adds nothing to the excitement of the game. The leagues most easily available to soccer fans in the US - England, Spain, Italy, and Germany - all have atmospheres that ramp up the electricity, tension, and appeal with large, engaged crowds. Combined with the obvious talent gap, and MLS becomes unwatchable for many. THe supporter culture is growing in US, but too often MLS clubs find themselves at odds with the people they need most, hindering the effect those groups might have both the live and televised experience. Marketing and club-supporter cooperation are the most obvious areas in need of improvement and should make a marked difference if given the proper attention; but "atmosphere" is the least controllable variable for MLS, and may be the slowest to change in a positive manner.
It's been quite the summer for fans of the game in the United States. Whether you're a fan of European (and Mexican; can't forget about Club America) football, MLS, or both, big foreign clubs gracing our shores is truly a sight to behold. If MLS looks worse by comparison because those teams came here, then the goal should be to acknowledged those problems as the spotlight is intensified, and work towards fixing them.
It's on MLS to make the changes, though, and they haven't exactly inspired much confidence with their track record; a full reversal may not be in the offing, but even small one would be heartening.
If MLS wants to eventually draw the type of excitement, be it in ten, twenty, or thirty years, that we've seen during this friendly period (which has yet to end), then they must take the events of this summer to heart.
Change is good.
