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Doesn't work for players who want to make it to the elite level. Works fine, if you want MLS to always be behind bigger leagues. European and South American players are already in the system by 11/12. By the time players finish college, they're what, 21/22? If they wanted to be at the pinnacle of the game they need to be around better coaches than American colleges.
We do have an academy system in the US now, and some of those players are choosing to attend college. Our local University team has significantly improved as a result. On the Sounders at least, six college players are on the team, including Jordan Morris and Christian Rholdan who are often on the USMNT. Will that continue to be the best career path for the top talent? Maybe not, but educated soccer players can later become educated management, coaches, and trainers. Nearly all of the players in the US football and basketball teams attended college, yet many are top performing athletes in their trade.
but educated soccer players can later become educated management, coaches, and trainers. Nearly all of the players in the US football and basketball teams attended college, yet many are top performing athletes in their trade.
Oh no doubt.
With respect to the US sports, there's no other countries really competing in basketball/football, nor baseball. Soccer players peak much earlier IMO.
Not really. Women gymnasts go to college and compete at the collegiate level after they wash out of international competition.
That's... not really disproving my point. Not every good gymnast is going to be a Simone Biles, and not every good soccer player is going to be a Lionel Messi.
That's... not really disproving my point. Not every good gymnast is going to be a Simone Biles, and not every good soccer player is going to be a Lionel Messi.
I thought your point was that college soccer is a feeder for professional soccer and you were citing examples in other sports? Women’s gymnastics isn’t a good example since they peak as teens.
I don't think the lack of interest is because of anti-Americanism. I do see foreign soccer fans talk trash about MLS though. The quality of MLS players will go up as the salary cap goes up.
As for ad revenue, MLS can follow a similar system as the European leagues. They generate a lot of ad revenue.
One of the biggest problems with soccer in America is there aren't enough free public places for kids to play soccer on their own. If pickup games of soccer become popular for young people in the U.S., then I think MLS will explode in popularity.
I don't think the lack of interest is because of anti-Americanism. I do see foreign soccer fans talk trash about MLS though. The quality of MLS players will go up as the salary cap goes up.
As for ad revenue, MLS can follow a similar system as the European leagues. They generate a lot of ad revenue.
One of the biggest problems with soccer in America is there aren't enough free public places for kids to play soccer on their own. If pickup games of soccer become popular for young people in the U.S., then I think MLS will explode in popularity.
What is the financial incentive to carry MLS on broadcast television? It is 45 minute halves with no commercials. Super Bowl 30 second advertising slots sell for $6.5 million. Sunday Night Football slots are $850k.
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