I hear you. I must admit over the past year or so, I’ve gotten really into soccer, especially the EPL and the Champions League and Euro 2008. Especially when the games are in High-Def, it really does make a difference.
There is an investment a fan here in the US has to make to learn about all of the teams and the players. But it’s a heck of a soap opera, especially in the off-season when you wonder who is going to transfer where. I’ve totally gotten caught up in it.
The MLS still has a ways to go. I envision the day when the MLS can incorporate into UEFA, so that MLS teams could compete in the Champions League. I think that really is the only way the MLS will take hold with the non-Hispanic crowd here in the US, and allow the MLS to compete with the other big world leagues for top-notch talent, other than people past their prime, like Beckham. Also for the US players, they are much better off playing in Europe than here to develop their talent, and make the US National team better. The MLS is banking too much on Hispanics with the “Super Liga”. But for the big money, they need to look to Europe.
Why would MLS play UFEA in league matches? UFEA is another continent.
MLS is now playing Super Liga matches, and plays Premier and Budesliga teams all the time in friendly matches.
Fact is, soccer is doing well in the USA, its growing, and the MLS keeps getting better.
Reading the immature reactions here is baffling. Just ignorant.
If MLS is sustained, it will be b/c of the large hispanic and latino population. Chivas, LA, Dallas, and Houston have a large hispanic fan-base.
Premier League and even the Bundesliga are exciting to watch. MLS reminds me of high school or college matches.
Different region, no chance. UEFA is specifically for the European region (as defined by FIFA). However, there is launching, this year, a new CONCACAF Champions League (replacing the former CONCACAF Champions cup single-elimination tournament) that will use the same basic format as the UEFA Champions League.
(For those not in the know, CONCACAF is the region for North America and the Caribbean -- the dominant clubs in the competition will likely come from the MLS and the Mexican league.)
MLS automatically qualifies two teams to the final 16: for this year, those teams are Houston (MLS Cup Champions) and DC (President's Shield winners [regular season title]). Two other MLS clubs (New England and Chivas USA) can qualify for the final 16 in the preliminary round.