Many people believed Major League Soccer would fall flat on its face. It is certainly nowhere near as successful as leagues such as the Premier League and La Liga, but it has found success in its own right. There are many factors that contribute to the MLS sustainability but here are five major reasons for staying relevant.
- Star talent- Some of the biggest names in soccer have come to play in the United States. Some of these players include David Beckham, Terry Henry, and Ashley Cole to name a few. Soccer may not be a top-four sport in this country, but it is still large enough for the U.S. to recognize some of the games finest stars. When they choose to play on this side of the pond, suddenly people are tuning in to watch.
- Still popular- We always hear how soccer is not popular in this country. While it may be true that it is not as loved as football or basketball, that does not mean it is unpopular. According to a 2014 poll, 12-17 olds prefer only basketball to soccer. The U.S. is extremely passionate about sports, so being 4th or 5th on the country’s list is probably better than being the #2 sport for a different country.
- Diversity- We are so used to seeing the teams with the highest payroll win year in and year out. This past year the three highest paid teams in the MLS failed to reach the conference finals but the two lowest paid teams ended up in the final four. This gives the U.S. a chance to see some upsets which is a nice change of pace from the NBA every year. Hint: It’ll probably be the Cavs and Warriors in The Finals again.
- Venues- Some of U.S. sports fans develop love for their team’s stadiums. When you see the MLS playing in venues such as Yankee Stadium, Levi Stadium, and Gillette Stadium, you become more inclined to watch. A Yankee fan is going to be more likely to go to a New York City FC game when he or she figures out they are playing on the same field as their Yanks.
- Opportunity for New Sport- This country always embraces a new sport as it presents another opportunity to root for a winning team. Did your football team lose? Oh well, couple months until baseball. Oh no…both of those teams are bad! I’m glad Hockey starts in October. We give ourselves chances to root for successful teams and Americans have embraced their local soccer clubs. If more kids pick up soccer and stars keep playing in the U.S., we may witness a new love for the sport.
~Steven Hold
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