Does Major League Soccer Need a Relegation System?

by SSreporters

The answer? Yes, they really need to start using the relegation system (let alone a single table league). It's insanely stupid that teams that win 4 games in the entire season, get to play the same teams again next year. If I were them, I'd come up with this:

MLS Division One: 12 team league, in which the bottom 2 are relegated.

MLS Division Two: 16 team league, in which the bottom 2 are relegated, and the top 2 are promoted.

MLS Division Three: 16 team league, and the same rules apply as MLS Division Two, but no relegation if you finish at the bottom.

Now you're probably thinking, but SSreporters, that would mean 48 teams in the MLS system, how are we going to do that? Well, if we have 13 teams in MLS right now, and there are over a dozen new locations for possible expansion, that's about half right there. Come on, we're a country of over 300 million people, we have many cities that can hold soccer teams, why shouldn't we do this in the near future?

So what is your opinion: Should the MLS use a relegation system like Europe?

ChristofMVP

820 days ago

Score -4

You are assuming that Americans care about professional soccer. We do not.

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SSreportersLegend

820 days ago

Score 1

In other news: The Women's World Cup to be done naked to draw America's attention.

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Confessions Of A FanaticDiv-I Stud

820 days ago

Score 2

It's not a bad idea, but where's the necessity?

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SSreportersLegend

820 days ago

Score 2

Look, 2 win teams that finish last in the entire league don't need to stay in the top flight.

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Srtellis4585JV Squad

820 days ago

Score -1

"It's insanely stupid that teams that win 4 games in the entire season, get to play the same teams again next year." I don't understand that argument. It's fine in other pro leagues. Look at the New Orleans Saints. They were a bottom team 2 seasons ago, and last year, they were in the NFC championship game. That would not have been possible with a relegation. That's why I like the current setup, what happens in one season means very little toward the next. Isn't winning only a few games one season punishment enough?

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SSreportersLegend

820 days ago

Score 1

The same rule can't apply to certain sports, the NFL isn't one of them. Plus, Leeds United, a former Premier League team, is now a League 1 team, the 3rd tier in English Football.

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ThecrookedcapAll-Star

820 days ago

Score 4

Let's take the other side of losing: teams like the Kansas City Royals who sit back and field crappy teams but remain the same because the owners are still running at a profit.

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SSreportersLegend

820 days ago

Score 2

As Ju would say, "I'd give you more plusses if I could TCC".

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Srtellis4585JV Squad

820 days ago

Score 1

Then maybe there should be a minimum salary in MLB...if owners don't spend a certain amount of money, they get fined. With players moving around, injuries, etc, I don't see how we can justify basing next season on the current one. The teams next year will be different from the teams this year.

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

820 days ago

Score 3

How much more "relegated" can MLS get?

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SSreportersLegend

820 days ago

Score 1

That's a standing ovation for Tyrone.

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False ProphetAll-Star

820 days ago

Score 1

IF you want to go down that road, combine USL and MLS into one league, and just do the same thing, with the level number poportional. 48 teams would be dumb. It'd weaken an all ready weak talent pool. Use the teams that all ready exist

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Dukeboy999Varsity Captain

820 days ago

Score 0

Another poor attempt at becoming international soccer

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RawbeezeitzMajor Leaguer

820 days ago

Score 3

The problem with 48 teams isn't finding enough cities to have teams, it's finding enough players to be on those teams. The quality of MLS play is already 3rd or 4th rate on the international scale, why dilute it even more? Why spread out the minimal talent the MLS has? And where's the need to do this? The MLS as a League is fine. It makes a small bit of money, and it's slowly getting better. Most people don't care, nor will they ever care in this country, but the same goes for a lot of other sports. The MLS provides a niche product for those of us in the States who care. It's not going to overtake the NBA or anything, so why even try?

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JgiuffraDiv-I Stud

820 days ago

Score 0

I think what SS is on about is generating interest in the league. With the additional divisions and promotion/relegation aspect would add importance to games that would otherwise be meaningless. Maybe 48 teams is a bit too much, but somthing needs to be done to liven up the game. I also think that using the regular FA rules regarding ties and penalties would be a start. SS, if I have it wrong I apologise.

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Notthatgood4Waterboy

820 days ago

Score 3

The MLS can't afford to have its big markets not in the top league. It has enough trouble getting an audience for the top flight.

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IbeargRed-Shirting

820 days ago

Score 0

shocker of all shockers I'm going to disagree with you here. MLS teams are trying to grow a league in a country that soccer is unfortunately not in the top 4 of being followed. Imagine what it would do to their fan bases to suddenly send them down a division. You think NY (NJ really, but whatever) would be getting a new stadium for a lower division team?

Also just because there are 12 possible expansion locations doesn't mean there are owners for these teams or fanbases to support these teams. Given that their are all those owners and fanbases, they'll have to recruit around 240 new players, not an easy task if you want to have any type of quality of play.

Another consideration is geography. If my London team gets relegated I can choose to follow them, or go see any of at least 3 other London Clubs, no more than an hour trip to see top flight football. If NY gets relegated i have to travel 4 hours down to DC or 4 hours up to NE.

Maybe down the road (probably a good ways down) this would be a possibility, but not now.

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JgiuffraDiv-I Stud

820 days ago

Score 1

In Europe you cannot abandon your team if they go down. Just ask Manchester City, Leeds United and Juventus fans if they would jump ship. It is unthinkable. Manchester United are on top now, but if they get relegated I will still be a fan....if they went down to the conference I would still support them...it part of the unwritten code...absolutly no switching teams..born a red, die a red.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

820 days ago

Score 1

Most important thing here - there are only 44 teams in this system, I don't know where everyone gets 48 from. However, MLS as a concept is okay for the time being. It is too small for a promotion/relegation system. There are 13 teams? When you get to 20 to 30 teams, then it would work. There is a lot of value in adopting the European system, however. But not until it gets big enough.

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Confessions Of A FanaticDiv-I Stud

819 days ago

Score 1

Great point. Why concern time with a relegation system now, when the continued growth and expansion of the league should be at the forefront. Without that, a relegation system will never be a possibility. Of course, I don't think that MLS will ever reach more than 20 teams, but maybe that's just me.

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JgiuffraDiv-I Stud

818 days ago

Score 0

I hardly think that that is the most important thing. Are typos unforgivable if they are arithmatic errors?

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