uptownbull

The front office finally seeming competent again is exciting as hell, but even if Vanzier is amazing that doesn't erase that awful run of no action transfer windows that had the team needing to rebuild the attack in the first place. Barlow still gets lots of minutes, enough said.

He followed his family's request to stay in Barca for an extra season, and supposedly his wife loves Miami. Maybe using Qatar to drive up the price? It would be so great for MLS.

Imagine being as rich as these guys and choosing to live in Saudi Arabia not Miami just for some extra monopoly money. Oil money makes the football world go round.

Fair points about expanded playoffs. A balanced schedule and elevated significance of the Open Cup & Supporters Shield would make for three unique domestic trophies. Two competitions familiar to most soccer fans worldwide, and one uniquely American one with all the convolutions and rounds to give more TV revenue teams a shot at the cup.

 

One takeaway from the ESC meet the team event: players also dislike the new playoff format. That event was really sweet by the way, props to the organizers in ESC and front office that made it happen.

MLS may also split into two leagues with promotion and relegation between them as a token gesture, if they expand a lot.

This is what my money is on. Expand to 40 teams in an MLS 1/2 with "pro/rel." Can't see MLS owners fleeced for a franchise fee being open to the possibility of their team falling down the pyramid.