MLS: State of the League

- MLS Commissioner Don Garber gave his State of the League address today, which is now lighting up Soccer Blogs nation (very worthwhile aggregator, by the way). I didn't listen and have yet to see a transcript, but that's not a huge deal on a couple levels. First, the lead announcement, the TV Deal with ESPN got bundled into the announcement of the deal with FOX Soccer. Even so, the terms, at least with regard to the number of the league's games this will get on the TV, it's good stuff.

- The official "big deal," comes with the announcement on player development. A site called From College to the Pros - The US Soccer Ladder provided a nicely detailed write-up on Commissioner Garber's full address. The key detail:

"So here is the big news from the press conference. MLS is 'weeks away' from finalizing a vertical player development system. What does vertical development mean in soccer? Youth academys. For the first time, MLS clubs will be allowed to sign players to professional contracts without the player being subject to the MLS SuperDraft and strange back room draft processes."

The full post expands quite well on the details.

- Finally, the league will expand to 13 teams for the 2007 season with the addition of a club in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Overall, expansion will continue until 2010 when the league will (somehow) reach 16 teams.

Without being able to find a transcript of the "official" address, it seems wise to pass on a chat hosted by the MLS's official site, in which Commissioner Garber covered much of the same ground.

Source

• http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6359744.html
• http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6357481.html?display=Breaking+News
• http://collegetopros.blogspot.com/2006/08/face-of-american-soccer-player.html
• http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/chat/2006/08/04/

Date

Fri 08/04/06, 2:32 pm EST

Jgov05All-American

1217 days ago

Score -3

Here's the state of the MLS: absolutely no one cares about it.

Permalink | Reply

DjwalkerTee-Baller

1216 days ago

Score 1

Jgov, you ignorant slut. There is a whole world of intersting things outside your pathetic provincial little area of interest. Shut up.

Permalink | Reply

Anonymous Fanatic #1

1216 days ago

Score 1

I really cannot comprehend why people who hate soccer feel so threatened by its mere existence. I hate football, but I deal. If you don't like it, try ignoring it.

Permalink | Reply

Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

1216 days ago

Score 0

A few things. It will go to 16 by adding 1 each year, 13 in 2007, 14 in'08, 15 in '09, 16 in '10. Or at least that would make sense... As for the youtha academy system, it's not a big deal - EVERY other country in the world has it. They should do away with the draft though. These changes are just putting it on a par with the rest of the world, so there is no problem with it. Even if people have little interest, at least the League's Commissioner is doing what he can to try and increase interest. He seems to be more aware of things than Bud Selig at least. The youth academies will draw youngsters into the game more easily, which can only help US Soccer. Well done Mr Garber!

Permalink | Reply

Anonymous Fanatic #1

1215 days ago

Score 1

Regarding the "youth academies", as you point out, Alex, "EVERY other country in the world has it." Exactly. Everyone else has it and we didn't - not till yesterday. That's why it's a big deal. But the key to it was the fact that the clubs who train the players get to retain the rights to that player. Absent that incentive there was no reason for clubs to develop players.

Permalink | Reply