by Aleks V |



In April 2017, the U.S. Women's National Football Team will play two friendly games against Russia in Texas. They last met in 2014, also playing two games on U.S. soil. Those came after a 12-year hiatus.

The last time the U.S. Men's National Football Team played Russia was in 2012, a friendly that ended in a 2:2 draw at Kuban Stadium in Krasnodar. They've only met 10 times in both the Soviet and post-Soviet eras. Their first and only meeting in official competition was the 1988 Olympic Games in South Korea, where the USSR walked away with a 4:2 victory, finishing top of Group C and knocking the US out of the tournament. The Soviet team went on to beat Brazil in an extra-time final.



At club level, the two probably last met in 1990, when the likes of CSKA and Dynamo Moscow played friendlies against the Atlanta Chiefs and Washington Diplomats. One such game was fittingly played in Washington D.C., where Dynamo won against the Diplomats 6:1.

A lot has changed on both the sporting and political arenas since then. The fall of the Soviet Union led to the establishment of a Top Division, and in 2001, the Russian Premier League. The 90's gave rise to Major League Soccer and a World Cup held in the US. Both leagues continue to have their share of struggles. Unfortunately, the same can be said about relations between the two countries.

In an ever-increasingly competitive world, no one nation or league can claim to be "the best". Being one of the best, however, is certainly not out of reach, and can be achieved much quicker by working together.

The countries' top soccer leagues can do just that.


MLS
- Est. 1993
- Teams: 22
- Reserve league: integrated into USL Pro League
- Coverage in US: available on cable; limited access on local channels (Spanish-language TV)
- Pro Rel: no

RPL
- Est. 2001
- Teams: 16
- Reserve league: yes
- Coverage in Russia: Match TV (public), NTV+ (satellite)
- Pro Rel: yes

Right off the bat, two of MLS's biggest problems come into view: lack of accessibility for viewers and absence of promotion/relegation between leagues.

Despite having pro/rel, the RPL faces a different kind of dilemma: Clubs that are promoted often lack funds to compete in the top league. Many of the clubs in the second tier, known as the Football National League, are struggling financially, as are some top tier "regulars". However, this does not stop teams like FC Rostov from competing in Europe (they've played in the Europa League Round of 16).


Various factors have affected attendance figures in both leagues. Other leagues vie for fans' attention. In MLS, Designated Players like David Beckham, Thierry Henry and Steven Gerrard play a big role in attracting fans, who are used to that kind of marketing elsewhere (it's the equivalent of going to see a Johnny Depp movie). That said, it would be interesting to see the RPL and MLS do a domestic DP or star player swap. Although 18 players from the former Soviet Union (four from Russia) have played for MLS, only one player, Yura Movsisyan (Armenia), has been a Designated Player in Major League Soccer. By contrast, just a handful of players with US citizenship have played in Russia's top tier. Forward Eugene Starikov, originally from Ukraine, played on loan at FC Rostov and Tom Tomsk in 2010-2013. Zurab Tsiskaridze, who was born in Georgia but also holds US citizenship, is a rare case - he played in MLS and the NASL early in his career, and later made three appearances for Amkar Perm in Russia.

Much of the Russian Premier League's attendance woes can be attributed to post-Soviet era hardships, the economy being one of them. Another factor is stadium safety. Some of the older stadiums need a little TLC. Hooliganism has sometimes marred the experience for law-abiding fans and families.

The fall of the Soviet Union undoubtedly left its mark on attendance figures. The lowest all-time attendance for the Soviet Top League from 1970 onward, a little over 18,000, is still higher than last season's RPL average attendance. In 1971, the Soviet Top League had an average attendance of over 30,000 fans per game. By contrast, the highest average attendance of the Russian Premier League in the past 14 years was 13,115 (2007 season).

A lesser-known reason for the RPL's empty seats: Russian football clubs weren't as popular as other teams in the last decades of the Soviet Top League. Georgia's Dinamo Tbilisi had the highest average attendance of any team in 10 out of 21 seasons. Russian clubs recorded the highest average attendance only four times in 40 years. The difference was substantial - in the 1977 season, for instance, Dinamo Tbilisi had an average attendance of 68,200, while Zenit St. Petersburg came second with 27,667.



Most viewed games in 2015/16 (TV/internet):
RPL 2015/16: Spartak-CSKA - 8.1 million
MLS 2016: LA Galaxy vs San Jose Earthquakes - 1,000,000




On to the business side of things.

After NTV+ morphed into Match TV, the league signed a contract for three seasons and will earn around 1.6 billion rubles (about $22 million) per season from the TV rights. As for international TV rights, the RPL struck a deal with IMG in 2016 for around $7 million.

Though the TV rights for MLS are more than triple that of the RPL, the former was behind in total revenue and revenue per club in 2015.

Compared to the world's top ten soccer leagues, MLS are 9th in total revenue. The RPL is 7th.

Despite dwindling attendance, the RPL was ahead of MLS in revenue and average salary in the 2014-15 season. TV viewership for the 2015/16 season's most watched game was also significantly higher than that of MLS. When it comes to fans in the stands, however, MLS is far ahead.

There's room for improvement for both leagues that can be achieved through collaboration. Organization of international friendly matches across the US or Russia would boost the popularity of both leagues, especially if done in tandem with TV deals, with channels that normally air the leagues carrying select games from both. A recent precedent: The U.S. U-20 MNT played a friendly against Russia U-21s in Marbella, Spain in November 2014.

What more can be done, you ask? Collaboration between the nations' youth development programs can help improve the levels of training and produce more talented youth products. An exchange program can give young players from both nations the opportunity to gain valuable playing experience abroad.



Upon arriving in Washington, D.C. in 1990, Dynamo Moscow were greeted at the Sign of the Whale cafe. According to a fan, the cafe was named after Operation Breakthrough, an effort of both American and Soviet rescuers to save whales trapped in ice at the shores of Alaska. The peril of one of the whales and the slim chances of survival of the others made some question the resources that were spent.

It seems that almost no joint efforts between the two powers can take place without being met by controversy or criticism. To paraphrase Edward R. Murrow, many who indulge in this criticism didn't create the situation; they merely exploit it.

by Aleks V | @aleksvee

It's another year, and another horde of fans and journalists pointing fingers at United States men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, or so I've heard upon reading a piece by a Mr. Leander Schaerlaeckens on Yahoo! Sports.

Mr. Schaerlaeckens makes a good point to praise LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, who could once again take over the USMNT at some point in the future, but other than that, his article is but one of many unfair criticisms aimed at current NT coach Klinsmann, grounded in a few statistics, plenty of adjectives, and not much else.

When it comes to the quality of play shown by the USMNT, the problem isn't Jurgen Klinsmann - it's US soccer in general.

While the rest of the soccer world has noticeably grown and evolved in the last decade, Major League Soccer has not only stayed behind - it has gone backwards. "There's no doubt that our 20th season was the best season in our 20 years," Mr. Garber proudly told Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated.

Whatever he was watching last year, it certainly wasn't MLS.

I recall tuning in to the 2015 MLS Cup Final between Columbus Crew and the Portland Timbers - supposedly a contest between the league's best two teams. Portland's Diego Valeri scored the fastest goal in the history of the MLS Cup. Rodney Wallace added to the Timbers' lead, and Crew got one back through Kei Kamara. Those were the first 18 minutes of the game, and the only worth watching. The rest looked like an amateur soccer game, a total embarrassment for the league and US soccer in general.

Things weren't always so bad. When I first began watching MLS seven or eight years ago, the picture was different. It was exciting and fast-paced. The New York Red Bulls were especially strong, with players like Thierry Henry, Juan Pablo Angel, Tim Ream, Rafael Marquez, and Dane Richards. When Angel and other good players left the Red Bulls, it was the start of a downward spiral. Years later, when the Red Bulls finally won the first silverware in their history, they sacked then coach Mike Petke and hired Jesse Marsch, whose only coaching stint was a 1 year, 3 month 12-16-6 spell with the Montreal Impact.

Jurgen Klinsmann.

Such decisions can only be explained by some sort of financial interests, rather than results.

The degradation of MLS can be attributed to its 'business first' approach, which turns a blind eye on quality. Like the music industry, MLS enjoys being average - great for their bottom line, but not for the goal line. Good for the short-term, but not the long-term. It's a system that feeds the wallets of the few, but doesn't work for the players or the fans.

The generational shift has also contributed to the stagnation in the development of US soccer. The new generation of players isn't growing, and there's no one to replace the few talents of the last. Many of the NT's youngest players are neither MLS youth products nor play in MLS. It's no wonder that MLS is still known as 'the retirement league' for successful European players like Steven Gerrard who are long past their prime.

US soccer is behind Europe in another big way - the absence of promotion and relegation. Without a pyramidal system in which the worst two clubs automatically leave the league at the end of the season, there's little incentive for players besides just getting through another year.

If not for the USMNT players who play abroad (captain Michael Bradley previously played for AS Roma and Borussia Monchengladbach, six out of seven defenders called up for recent qualifiers play abroad, a handful of NT forwards play in the Bundesliga, and the two main goalkeepers are in the English Premier League), the situation would be much more grim.

After the USMNT's 2-1 loss to Jamaica in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, I wrote of the superiority of players with experience at some of the best leagues abroad to MLS players, arguing that players who play every four days will be in better shape than those who play once a week. I also mentioned that "the U.S. can only hope to rely on homegrown talent with the improvement of its academy programs and league system."

Clubs in Europe have strong academies. MLS clubs have academies, too - the difference is in quality.
How many homegrown USMNT players have MLS academies produced, and just how good are they?

Mr. Schaerlaeckens points out the difference in the national team's performance in friendlies and official games, but fails to provide analysis. Why does the USMNT perform better in friendlies? The players have something to prove - unofficial games are the battleground for spots in the starting line-up. Why does the team sometimes under-perform in official games? The unwillingness of some of its key players to put country over club. Official games are much more physical - why give your all and risk getting injured? For some players, getting benched for their club is a much bigger deal than sitting out for a NT game. At the end of the day, the ball is round, and that's a factor as well.

Given the same players, would someone else do as good - or even better - a job as Jurgen Klinsmann? I doubt it.

Klinsmann was an excellent player and is a good coach. He needs the support of the US Soccer Federation, his players, and the fans - that'll give the national team a real chance of not only making the World Cup finals, but doing well in the tournament itself.

Note: As this article was being written, the USMNT won 4-0 in their 2018 World Cup Qualifier vs Guatemala. They've won all 10 of their home World Cup Qualifiers under Klinsmann.

Giant Juicy Previews

by Aleks V | @aleksvee

With the second day of the 20th MLS season and the return of the 2014/15 RPL, GoalChatter takes a look at this weekend's action-packed football schedule. All times are in EST.

Saturday March 7

8:00am - RPL - Terek Grozny vs CSKA Moscow
The reigning champions of the Russian Premier League kick off the first RPL match of 2015 on Saturday morning with an away game against 9th placed Terek. Although the team from Grozny poses no threat to overtake the leader board and will probably finish the season mid-table, Leonid Slutskiy's men should be wary of the hosts' defense; Terek have thus far conceded the least number of goals at home in the Premier League. They've also signed defenders and forwards during the transfer window, including former Lokomotiv centre-back Rodolfo. Being away from their usual residence at Akhmat Arena, however, may tinker with their home field advantage. With 11 goals allowed in 7 away games, CSKA will need to focus on getting more clean sheets on the road. Goal difference may play a crucial role in the title race. The Army Men's main weakness, however, is the lack of an experienced player up front after Seydou Doumbia's departure to AS Roma. Will their newly-signed young strikers be up to the challenge?

11:00am - RPL - Zenit St Petersburg vs Ural

Zenit manager Andre Villas-Boas. Photo: Getty Images.

Andre Villas-Boas said he wanted to do for Zenit what Peter the Great did for St. Petersburg, and so far, he's been true to his word. With a 13-2-2 record and a spot in the Europa League Round of 16, Zenit are an unstoppable machine. A home game against relegation-bound Ural is likely to see them pass go and collect 3 points. Neither team has made any key signings, although Artem Dzyuba will be joining Zenit in the summer. Ural's veteran centre-back Solvi Ottesen left for Chinese club Jiangsu Sainty in February. For the visitors, it'll be one of many opportunities to attempt to salvage a spot in the Premier League.

10:30pm - MLS - Portland Timbers vs Real Salt Lake
Both teams are at a turning point. Portland start the season with injuries and a new keeper in goal after the departure of Donovan Ricketts to Orlando City SC. RSL's squad is a mix of young and experienced players in all positions. Both sides have shown some good football last season, but failed to meet expectations. What will happen this time around?

Sunday March 8

5:30am - RPL - Spartak Moscow vs Krasnodar

Otkritie Arena.

An epic battle between two teams in the race for a European spot. Krasnodar will attempt to break Spartak's unbeaten home record at Otkritie Arena. Adding drama to this fixture is Spartak midfielder Roman Shirokov's loan to the visitors. Although the Red-and-Whites have parted with a slew of key players, including Artem Dzyuba, and failed to replace them, the club has expressed their desire to shift focus on their homegrown players. Krasnodar, meanwhile, have loaned out defender Nikolay Markov and winger Nikita Burmistrov. Right-back Artur Jedrzejczyk is out injured and expected to return in late May. Refereeing may play a vital role - referee Sergey Ivanov is known for giving out bookings and has awarded 6 penalties in 11 games this season.

8:00am - RPL - Dynamo Moscow vs Ufa
Dynamo aim to keep expanding their 17-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. With just two points separating them from 2nd place CSKA, the Blue-and-Whites also have a shot at the silver medals and a Champions League spot. One of the tests for any successful side is whether or not they underestimate a seemingly lesser opponent. Another challenge for Dynamo will be solving their ongoing lack of a clear, consistent centre-forward. Ufa have strengthened their midfield and line of attack during the winter transfer window, and are looking to attain mid-table stability while avoiding the relegation zone.

10:30am - RPL - Rostov vs Lokomotiv Moscow
Bottom-of-the-table Rostov will attempt to regain their form with a new manager in Kurban Berdyev, and a slew of players on loan from bigger sides, including Artem Dzyuba and Sardar Azmoun. Berdyev will be tasked with the club's revival, and his coaching record shows he is up to the job. He made 30 appearances and scored 5 goals for Rostov as a player, and saw a successful 12-year coaching stint at Rubin Kazan that resulted in two Premier League titles, a Cup and two Super Cups. Rostov have been doing considerably better at home than away, so the support of their fans may help boost morale. Lokomotiv have one of the best defenses in the league and are just four points shy of 2nd place. They're always an ambitious side, so Rostov need to be careful to not allow goals.

4:00pm - MLS - Orlando City SC vs New York City FC

Orlando City supporters. Photo: orlandocitysc.com

Two new MLS teams face off in their inaugural season. The Big Apple has its first local football club since the New York Cosmos of the 70's and 80's, with a roster featuring a slew of familiar MLS players as well as Spanish forward David Villa. There's also a familiar coach in Jason Kreis, who led Real Salt Lake to their first MLS Cup. For Orlando, the game marks Florida's return to MLS after the Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny were disbanded in 2001. Expectations are high for both sides.

6:00pm - MLS - Sporting Kansas City vs New York Red Bulls
The teams head into the new season with some big changes. For SKC, that includes the defense and the departure of Aurelien Collin and C.J. Sapong. For the Red Bulls, a new head coach after Mike Petke's successful run, and the absence of Thierry Henry. There's only one word to describe this fixture: uncertainty.

8:30pm - MLS - Seattle Sounders vs New England Revolution
Changes in defense for the Sounders with the departure of DeAndre Yedlin and Djimi Traore may shake things up in this fixture. They've signed veteran right- and centre-back Tyrone Mears, who played for English clubs like Bolton, Preston and Burnley, and 21-year-old left-back Andres Correa, who shone in the 2013 U-20 South American Championships. One of the main questions in this match-up will be Juan Agudelo's return to the Revs. Will he be able to return to the top of his game that he wowed us with in his early appearances for the USMNT?

St Louis, Missouri
Population: 2.8 million (Greater St. Louis)
St. Louis's soccer connection goes back to the 60's and 70's, when St. Louis University was one of the most successful college soccer teams, supplying many a player for the NASL's St. Louis Stars. Notable alumni in the modern era include Brian McBride and Tim Ream. While a USL Pro team, Saint Louis FC, is set to debut in 2015, there are no current plans for either NASL or MLS expansion. The stadium that will host St. Louis FC is a bit small for the bigger leagues, but there's no reason why the 60k capacity Busch Stadium can't be shared with an association football team. Like New York's Yankee Stadium, Busch is no stranger to hosting soccer friendlies, selling out for Chelsea vs Manchester City last year. Another stadium, the Edward Jones Dome, hosted a friendly between Bosnia and the Ivory Coast in May 2014.

Tucson, Arizona
Population: 996,544 (metro area)
Better known for its softball, basketball and swim teams, Tucson has seen a growing interest in soccer in recent years. The city is familiar to MLS fans, regularly hosting the Desert Diamond Cup during the MLS pre-season. USL PDL club FC Tucson is involved in organizing the tournament. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the league's Mountain Division, finishing at the top this year for the first time. Tucson was also home to now-defunct USISL side Tucson Amigos. The larger Phoenix had a USL Pro team, Phoenix FC, which folded after 2 years. There's no shortage of venues in Tucson. With 56,000 seats, Arizona Stadium would be well-suited for MLS fixtures. The smaller Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, which hosts FC Tucson, and the baseball-specific Hi Corbett Field are more suitable options for an NASL team. The former hosted a friendly between Canada and Denmark in January 2013.

New Orleans, Louisiana
Population: 1.2 million (metro area)
A city with soccer roots tracing back to the 19th century, New Orleans is currently home to NPSL (4th tier) side New Orleans Jesters, whose head coach, Kenny Farrell, voiced his support for an MLS team. In 2007, a group of investors conducted a study to see whether New Orleans had a potential market for an MLS franchise. Algiers and City Park were named as potential locations for a stadium. Indeed, only one existing venue would be suitable, and it just happens to have a bit of soccer history. Although now primarily an NFL stadium, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome once hosted a friendly between the New York Cosmos and Dallas Tornado, featuring Pele and Kyle Rote, Jr.

Detroit, Michigan
Population: 4.3 million (metro area)
Detroit has an interesting soccer history dating back to the late 60's, when the Detroit Cougars, a team featuring players from Glentoran FC of Northern Ireland, played two seasons in the United Soccer Association. Next came the Detroit Express, a team that played in the NASL and ASL in the 70's and 80's. Their inaugural season featured a European tour and the famous George Best and Bobby Moore as guest players. Soccer in Michigan is not a thing of the past, however. Detroit City FC, an NPSL club founded in 2012, already has ardent supporters in the thousands. Perhaps it's not so surprising, considering over 109,000 fans attended a friendly between Manchester United and Real Madrid at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor this August, the largest attendance at a soccer game in the U.S. since the 1984 Olympics. Detroit's Silverdome, which previously hosted the Detroit Express, is a potential venue that should not be overlooked. Although its future currently hangs in limbo and much of the stadium was auctioned off in March, the owners are "continuing to investigate all potential revenue options for the site.” They even applied for an MLS franchise in 2011. The arena hosted a friendly between AC Milan and Panathinaikos in August 2010. The challenge with an MLS team in Detroit? Attendance. The Seattle Sounders, who recorded a regular average attendance of over 40,000 in the past few years, are the exception rather than the rule in MLS. Michigan is one of the top 10 most populous U.S. states, but can an MLS team in Detroit draw regular attendance figures high enough to keep the team afloat and possibly boost the city's economy in the process?

Record crowd at Manchester United vs Real Madrid. Credit: Amir E

Minneapolis, Minnesota 
Population: 3.5 million (metro area)
Minneapolis is another city with NASL history dating back to the late 1970's and early 80's. The Minnesota Kicks, who played in Bloomington (suburban Minneapolis), regularly recorded attendance figures of over 20,000 and even 30,000. The Minnesota Strikers, a team from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area, played in the NASL's last season in 1984 and had a short spell in the Indoor league. Today's NASL side, Minnesota United, is based in the same area. Founded in 2010, the team has supporters in the thousands and average attendance figures that jumped over four times in their first four years. When it comes to venues, the city has two arenas - Target Field and TCF Bank Stadium - that can potentially host an MLS team. The latter was part of the U.S. World Cup bid for 2018 and 2022. TCF Bank Stadium was also the site of the International Champions Cup friendly match between Manchester City and Olympiakos in August, drawing a crowd of over 34,000. There is a large ongoing campaign to bring an MLS team to Minnesota. MLS spokesman Dan Courtemanche said earlier this year that Minneapolis "can be an outstanding market - actually has been". League Commissioner Don Garber said in March that the city of Minneapolis "is on the short list" for MLS expansion in the Midwest.

Dear Mr. Garber,

Lets get right down to business. You blamed Jurgen Klinsmann, the best coach the US national team has had for years, for publicly critiquing the state of Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley's fitness, and, in your opinion, the state of Major League Soccer. What Klinsmann really said - had you been listening - is that it is more difficult to maintain one's form in MLS in comparison with some of Europe's top leagues. A season of English football, for instance, can have about twice the number of possible games as MLS, depending on what stage a team enters, and how long that team remains in, the domestic cup tournaments and European competition. More games results in more playing time, and the high level of players in the Premier League in more competition between them for a spot in the line-up.

Last season's Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City played 57 games in all competitions, while the 2013 MLS Cup winners Sporting Kansas City played 45 games. A bigger gap is visible when comparing two teams that placed 7th in last season's EPL and MLS - Manchester United played a total of 55 games in all competitions, while the Vancouver Whitecaps played just 38 games.

What you should have pointed out instead of pointing fingers is that US internationals like Dempsey and Bradley who play or have played in the top European leagues bring their priceless experience to MLS, and only help to improve the quality and popularity of the league. Those who continue their careers abroad while representing the USMNT (Brad Guzan, Tim Howard, Fabian Johnson, Tim Ream...) improve the latter.

The fact is, Mr. Garber, that Jurgen Klinsmann has done a lot for the USMNT. Aside from tactical improvements and a Round of 16 finish in the World Cup, he brought and continues to cultivate a much-needed team spirit, something a lot of coaches cannot do.

Klinsmann has a right to truthfully comment on his players. There's nothing wrong with his statements, nor are they in any way against MLS - anything of the sort is merely your own personal fantasy.

In blaming Klinsmann for comments that are "detrimental" to MLS, you yourself have done that which you so unjustly blamed him for. So if anyone's "sending a negative message" to players, it's you.

Addressing his players' form and deciding to include or exclude anyone from a World Cup roster are his responsibilities as head coach.

Perhaps you should stick to doing your job without interfering with his.

Sincerely,
Aleks V
Founder, Editor-in-Chief
GoalChatter

Fans weigh in on promotion/relegation in Major League Soccer


Chris McGuffin (@thecurseofchris) - USMNT, LA Galaxy and Manchester United fan, regular guest on GoalChatter Radio. (US)

Karim Hameg (@karimhameg) - Blogger with a passion for geography and football. Fan of Olympique de Marseille, Bayern, Zenit, and others. (France)

Ted Westervelt (@soccerreform) - Ardent pro/rel advocate. Founder of SoccerReform. (US)

1. Should promotion/relegation be implemented in U.S. soccer? Why or why not? If yes, when would be the best time to move to the pro/rel model?

Chris: I love the idea of promotion/relegation. However, I don’t think it should be implemented in U.S. soccer right now. MLS just isn't stable enough, and the leagues below it just aren't popular enough to warrant their inclusion. I would much rather see MLS clubs have lower-level teams like the LA Galaxy II so their younger players can gain playing time before they are promoted to the senior team. I also think it’s more important to focus on getting every MLS club an established academy.
Ted: Absolutely. Opening leagues is the key to reaching our potential as a soccer nation. We are ready for US Soccer to lead a transition now. An open promotion and relegation has two major benefits: It allows great clubs and drives investment/interest to lower divisions. Soccer thrives on the international stage, and that stage is dominated by great clubs - both in wins and in ratings. Unlike our other major sports leagues, soccer teams battle in thriving extra-league environment, and foreign leagues and clubs flood our air, cable and web waves. The current system disarms our clubs in the face of serious competition - both on the field and in that marketplace. 

Instead of helping our clubs reach the US market, the current system enables MLS to cash in on conceding the US market to imports, via Soccer United Marketing (SUM). Every MLS owner is a part owner in SUM, and SUM has marketing agreements with many foreign leagues and federations. If you have attended a international or club friendly over the past 10 years, it is almost certain that part of your support went to MLS owners. As the story goes, this SUM money will eventually trickle down to MLS. I don't believe in trickle down soccernomics. So, on top of being the only system to accommodate  great clubs, thriving lower divisions, and a product that can compete for the US market - pro/rel is also the only way to break this vicious cycle of conflict of interest and keep our owners honest to their soccer clubs.

2. What would be the main challenge for clubs in adapting to the pro/rel model?

Chris: Money. I fear that some clubs, if they were relegated, wouldn't have the financial means upon relegation to get back in the first division. DC United, for example, is a popular club, and has a strong following, but if they were relegated this past year, I’m not sure they could hold on to their better players. Same with some of the other lesser teams, like Chivas (USA).
Ted: The main challenge is getting MLS to play along. US Soccer cannot force them to make this transition.  All they can do is sanction an open system and invite every team to participate. MLS's single entity system - in which every team is little more than a brand in a chain of outlets - makes transition tricky. In fact, the only path into a true open system for an MLS outlet is probably via sale out of the single entity. US Soccer must lead, but there is no guarantee MLS will follow. Regardless, this is far better than the status quo, where MLS appears to set US Soccer policy for their own benefit.


3. What would be the one best and one worst thing pro/rel would bring to U.S. soccer?

Chris: Best: It'd make competitions like the Open Cup a lot more appealing. Worst: Again, money issues. Lack of interest in those lesser teams would also hurt.
Ted: Sorry...two best things: Pro/Rel accommodates great clubs and drives interest/investment to lower divisions. The worst thing: Fans must endure the pain of relegation.


4. How would a pro/rel system influence the U.S. national team?

Chris: Young USMNT prospects would likely be able to play for lower-division teams instead of taking a risk abroad. Those who develop into stars would be able to say that they got their start here stateside, and that might strengthen the view of the sport in this country.
Ted: A pro/rel system puts the onus on clubs to develop players. Properly constructed free markets drive innovation and discovery, and both are sorely needed to scour the nation for talent - and then develop it.

Also, kids love the great clubs. The original New York Cosmos captured the imaginations of many of the players on the 1990 USMNT that took us back to the World Cup for the first time in 40 years. When it comes to inspiring young players in any sport, one cannot overestimate the power of a great club. We need a system that accommodates them.



5. Are there any historical parallels that come to mind with the reluctant attitude among the U.S. soccer elite in discussing pro/rel?

Chris: I don’t think so. NASL’s failure might have something to do with it, but I’m not knowledgeable enough on the subject to have a good opinion.
Ted: The easy historical parallel is robber barons of the late 1800's. Today's US pro sports owners enjoy many of the same anti-trust protections and precedents as the Rockefellers and Carnegies of yesteryear. Breaking them - even just for soccer - is a tough task. In the face of global competition, we have little choice.


6. Is the aversion to pro/rel possibly a reflection of an aversion to "non-American" ways, or are there possibly other, less-political reasons that U.S. soccer is reluctant to discuss pro/rel?

Chris: I would say so. I like MLS Cup because I enjoy a good, intense playoff. There’s nothing wrong with making part of our sport unique as long as we can keep up with the rest of the world, and I think we do that well. MLS needs to work on their TV scheduling and improving their ratings instead of worrying about pro/rel.

Karim: I think that the pro/rel system is not compatible with the US mentality in sports. All the major leagues work with the franchise system - MLS works the same way as MLB, the NBA, NFL and NHL. Pro/rel is more in the European mentality.

Ted: The main reason the powers that be are reluctant to discuss pro/rel are the promises - written or unwritten - the our federation made to MLS owners. In order to line up original - and still powerful - MLS owners like Kraft, Hunt and Anschutz, our federation had to virtually promise them no pro/rel. Whether what remains of these promises are debts of gratitude or something more quantifiable, they constitute the force that holds pro/rel talk down today. MLS exerts power and control over US Soccer in quantifiable ways. New England Revolution owner Bob Kraft pays President Sunil Gulati. US Soccer does not. Don Garber himself is the head of the Competition Committee. MLS execs/player vets like Kevin Payne and Jeff Agoos sit with them on the board.

The "un-American" label pro/rel gets is ginned up at best. It doesn't take an MBA to realize that the meritocratic system lines up more closely with core American values than the landed lords and ladies that control US pro sports - and their vassals on the US Soccer Board.

As with most things in politics, follow the money to the reasons. The constant struggle in any free society is to stand in the way of money when it threatens freedom.

New York loves futbol. Photo: Aleks V Arts

Fans gather for a Soccer Series game. Photo: Aleks V Arts

What Dynamo Moscow Can Learn From the New York Red Bulls

The GoalChatter Radio Show hosted by Aleks V.
Special Guest: Alicia Rodriguez, Managing Editor of thegoatparade.com, co-host of 2SoCalGals.

- UEFA Europa League
- EPL transfers
- La Liga
- RPL transfers
- MLS/USMNT

UEFA's disciplinary committee has been on the prowl for clubs with disobedient supporters, but should the clubs be fined for something they can't necessarily control? The GoalChatter crew also discusses the first Clasico of 2013, EPL's Transfer Deadline Day, and recent RPL additions. The Goat Parade's Alicia Rodriguez joins us for the US soccer segment to talk about the nation's growing talent pool, the National Team's progress, and predictions for Chivas USA and RBNY's fate this upcoming season. As always, our match picks for the week span several leagues. 

LA came back from a 1-goal deficit in a more-than-satisfying repeat of last season's Cup win. The back-to-back Champions played beautifully, despite conceding right before halftime.
The Galaxy had plenty of opportunities that were sadly wasted by the likes of Donovan and Juninho. Moreover, the hosts had clear control of the ball and were looking strong. Houston's Sarkodie had a fantastic run on the right and an immediate shot that was masterfully saved by Saunders. Soon, however, Houston seized an opportunity. Calen Carr picked up a through ball and played it well before scoring in the near post. The hosts looked much better as a team, while Houston relied on individual action to create chances.

LA's British and American stars.

Thousands of Galaxy supporters were certainly not disappointed with the second half. They saw more of Robbie Keane. Saunders made incredible saves and prevented Carr from scoring a double off the pitch. Of course, the game wouldn't be complete without David Beckham taking the set pieces. Once again, Omar Gonzalez proved why he's considered one of the best players in the MLS and a valuable asset to the US National Team roster. He made his mark by scoring a header into the far post. Gonzalez truly defines much of the Galaxy's psychology as well. His goal led to back-to-back set pieces and an attempt by Keane. A handball in the box gave the Galaxy a penalty, dutifully converted by Landon Donovan. Try as they might, Houston could never truly recover from the Galaxy lead, largely in part due to Saunders' performance. The guests were so close, yet so far away as Brian Ching nutmegged a defender from outside the box, sending the ball rolling past the left post. The Galaxy earned a second penalty after Keane was brought down by Houston keeper Hall's outstretched arm. The Irishman made up for plenty of missed opportunities by scoring LA's 3rd goal, sealing a brilliant victory over the Dynamo. Beckham was subbed off during stoppage time to a roaring, sold-out crowd of 30,510. The Dynamo didn't even get to take the last corner as the final whistle blew. Nevertheless, thousands of supporters clad in orange scarves and jerseys applauded their team for a game well-played.

The Galaxy deprived Houston of the Cup for the second year in a row, yet they acknowledged that it was a stronger, more developed Houston. Dominic Kinnear has produced a team that deserved to make it to the final. A team that, like the Galaxy, have won back-to-back Championships. A team whose season featured a great performance on the road, Dynamo finished 5th in the Eastern Conference, but next season may have something much bigger in store. As the 3rd place Red Bulls' fate hangs in the balance, its quite likely a certain team from Texas will be taking their spot.
Even the constant interruptions by the referee didn't stop Bruce Arena's team from another triumph. A sea of confetti surrounded the teams, soon to be replaced with gold and silver medals. Keane's smile lit up the arena as he hugged Donovan in celebration of their win. It's certainly a moment Bruce Arena and his team will never forget. Back-to-back Champions and an MVP award for Omar Gonzalez. The Galaxy became the second team (along with D.C. United) as the only team with 4 MLS titles.

As for David Beckham, he couldn't have had a better end to his stay in the U.S. The incredible impact he's brought to the league and to football across the globe has been insurmountable. He is possibly the most influential player in the modern era. As with his departures from Manchester United and Real Madrid, Beckham won a title in his final season at the Galaxy. Clad in a British flag, walking along the pitch with the air of a prophet, David Beckham honored the MLS as both a player and an individual. But the night wasn't over until the stars and stripes were draped across his back. It's safe to say that the British influence will forever remain in our nation's history. It just happened to find a path through football.

In a Triple Clasico weekend (including the Super Clasico in Liga MX and La Liga's Madrid-Barcelona match), the MLS' own infamous rivalry squared off at the Home Depot Center, watched anxiously by a sell-out crowd. LA started off strong with several consecutive attempts, putting on the pressure on the guests and getting a whole lot of space on the opposition's side of the pitch. The Galaxy were the undisputed favorites in the first ten minutes, and at many times, it seemed they could have won. Landon Donovan's combinations with Robbie Keane brought some major sparks to the first half. It was no surprise that Keane's one-touch finish opened up the score. Bruce Arena's team continued to dominate the midfield as well as RSL's 18-yard box. Despite another fantastic combo by the Galaxy's duo, aided by Magee, Donovan was unable to get the ball in. The guests seized the opportunity to equalize, getting a one-two play in and making use of a defensive mishap. Fabian Espindola got his 8th goal of the season, and soon after he got his double. The latter goal was a brilliant header off the ground, a ball that's always a challenge for even the best of keepers. RSL's playmaker has continued his success after scoring a career high of 10 goals last season. The guests' goalkeeper Nick Rimando was sharp, as well, finding the right positions to save Franklin and Magee's shots. The Galaxy were not without their own stellar keeper. Saunders stopped Saborio's one-on-one attempt and prevented Espindola from getting a hat-trick in both halves. 

The Galaxy continued where they left off, still dominating RSL's box at the start of the second half. Among the numerous attempts, Donovan and Juninho's shots stood out. Once again, Rimando came through for the guests. The shots were 16:4 in favor of LA, so it seemed paradoxical that the team was unable to get another ball in for over 45 minutes. Sadly, the Galaxy had lost some of that momentum and rhythm they had created early on. Robbie Keane's presence on the pitch became less and less prevalent as the game came to a close. Real Salt Lake captain Kyle Beckerman prevented a great counter from shaping into a potential goal and had a long-range effort. Yet the Galaxy still had more of the ball. The guests resorted to the occasional foul and a few fake dives, anything to take back the initiative. Donovan made a brilliant run for LA on the left and was visibly taken down in the 18-yard box. The ball went out for a corner, and the referee seemingly dismissed what was a most obvious penalty. Even with one of their best players out and Keane's creative effort lost, the Galaxy pressed on. David Beckham continued to feed the ball into the box and set up the attempts. He was impressive all throughout the game, one of the best set piece masters of his day. RSL still had some tricks up their sleeve, however. It was only Saunders' skillful saves that prevented Saborio from scoring and Espindola from getting his hat-trick during stoppage time. Villarreal, who came in for Donovan earlier, had a last-second effort that was saved by Rimando, before the final whistle blew and the home team was forced to accept an undeserved loss.

LA had one too many chances to get ahead; perhaps one of the factors that prevented them from doing so was the refereeing. Poor calls by the linesman prevented the home team from getting a corner, gave a way a free kick to the guests, and left the Galaxy without a penalty. On the other hand, LA had many more attempts they could have - and should have - used. As we've seen with the Mexican Super Clasico earlier today, it's not about the moments you create, but how you use them. A team can have a few shots on goal altogether but score from every single one, while another can test the keeper all they want but get absolutely nowhere. This will likely be a major theme during playoffs and may lead to some unexpected yet interesting results.