@SlavaMalamud@BRValentine1983@watakant At least you find EPL fans in bars even though the clubs play on the other side of the world. Unfortunately we can't say the same thing for MLS.
@dwbakke@NateSilver538 CONCACAF and CONMEBOL need to merge for WCQ. Combine spots; 13.5 and add 3 more for a total of 16.5 The half spot goes to an Intercontinental play off.
Here's what a 64-team format would look like, based on who came closest to qualifying but didn't this year. Actually a fair amount of quality: Italy, Nigeria, Ukraine, etc.
@SlavaMalamud@BRValentine1983@watakant They finished 7th not 14th. Might never win EPL just like FC Dallas and NE Revs might never win MLS Cup but fact remains EPL is still more popular in US than MLS.
@BRValentine1983@SlavaMalamud@watakant Stats are stats. EPL and Liga MX have higher ratings than MLS in US. You even admit they follow the popular successful teams so "parity" doesn't matter for soccer fans.
@AirYorbomb@TVatWork@aghease How exactly are they going to get more money when foreign leagues are more popular than MLS in the US? Just wishing for it or doing what MLS has been doing isn't working for popularity which is what matters if they want bigger TV deals.
@BRValentine1983@SlavaMalamud@watakant "Parity works in US"...not in soccer. EPL and Liga MX have no parity and are way more popular than MLS in πΊπΈ. Compare apple to apples.
@SlavaMalamud@BRValentine1983@watakant You just full of excuses now. For you Mexicans watch Liga MX because "Mexico". Anglo americans watch EPL because "Europe". Then why claim Americans care about parity when you are agreeing that it doesn't apply to soccer?
@AirYorbomb@TVatWork@aghease Then what makes you think the best players will choose to come to MLS? You mentioned NFL revenue but without spending money to get the best players here you'll never get close to the NFL revenues. It takes money to make money. Your example of ManC is clear example of it.
@AirYorbomb@TVatWork@aghease Also, MLS has 3 DP spots per team where they can spend unlimited amount. That's about 90 top players that can come to MLS. Why aren't we seeing the top 90 players come to MLS?
@SlavaMalamud@BRValentine1983@watakant Just stick to the NFL. NFL is big in US. For soccer stick to MLS if parity is your thing. I'm also an MLS fan but at least I know for a fact that EPL is more popular here and that keeps on increasing.
@AirYorbomb@TVatWork@aghease They were in Championship. Got new owners, started spending and got them to UCL spots. The rest is history. West Ham is trying to do the same, eventually. They need to get to UCL spots to start getting the good players.
@AirYorbomb@TVatWork@aghease Also, MLS has 3 DP spots per team where they can spend unlimited amount. That's about 90 top players that can come to MLS. Why aren't we seeing the top 90 players come to MLS?
@SlavaMalamud@BRValentine1983@watakant Fans don't care about the structure or how much money the owner takes. They care about their team/club. It's why EPL and Liga MX are more popular than MLS here. For some reason fans in US are too interested in how much their team owner is making in revenues.
@SlavaMalamud@BRValentine1983@watakant Just keep watching NFL. Are you even a β½οΈ fan? You clearly are the type of fan that once NFL starts you prefer that over MLS (and that's even if you watch MLS at all). As for soccer first fans here in the US, EPL and Liga MX are still more popular than MLS and have no parity.
@SlavaMalamud@BRValentine1983@watakant MLS talk about MLS. You bring up NBA, NFL and try to use to prove a point. Those are the best leagues in the π that have the best players. Whatever they do works because players dont have other options. All that parity in MLS doesnt work, it's why EPL is more popular
@SlavaMalamud@BRValentine1983@watakant They become "big clubs" because they got ahead of everyone else and learned quickly how to stay at the top. It's how they got fans, titles and worldwide following..which creates more money.