Timbers Tid Bits: Parity Edition
by Geoff Gibson on Jun 8, 2011 8:45 AM PDT
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PrintSB Nation Soccer, the guys who essentially run everything soccer related here at SB Nation, has a fantastically well thought out article on parity in the MLS and how, at this point, perhaps continuing parity isn't such a great idea. Those of you who were fans of the old NASL will remember what happened when the teams were allowed to run wild and rampant. Eventually it lead to the league's death. Still, MLS is better situated that the NASL ever was. Perhaps it's time to start loosening the strings a little more.
Enjoy the morning news!
Timbers specific news
Tide go for first win over Portland Timbers U-23 Wednesday
An important game coming up for our U-23 boys in the PDL.
U.S. players home with El Salvador
Defender Steve Purdy has spent the past two weeks away from Major League Soccer's Portland Timbers to play for El Salvador's national team in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which will resume Thursday in Charlotte.
Portland Timbers must defeat defending champs to snap losing streak
Timbers' two-game losing streak ties season-high.
League news (after the jump)
Too Much Parity Does Major League Soccer No Favors
Parity is lauded as one of the MLS's greatest strengths. But in their bid to avoid repeating the mistakes of the NASL by ensuring an even playing field, has the league gone too far?
MLS Designated Player Dissection: Andrés Mendoza finally making an impact for the Crew
I didn't even know Mendoza was a DP.
Citi Field Welcomes Soccer for a Night
The Mets’ home field hosted Ecuador and Greece in an international friendly that may lay the groundwork for an M.L.S. team in Queens.
Plans to renovate Silverdome for soccer on track
Steve Apostolopoulos attended Tuesday night's Gold Cup at Ford Field as a fan with the future in mind.
Jamaica reaping the benefits of Major League Soccer's continued growth
Donovan Ricketts, Dane Richards, Omar Cummings... all considered to be some of the best MLS players. They're also Jamaican internationals.
Clint Dempsey wants some respect
He may be one of the go-to guys on the U.S. men's team, but Clint Dempsey has had to prove himself time and again with his club Fulham.
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The league has not betrayed soccer by assuring parity. Nor will it ‘harm’ the league.
Case in point. NFL.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
Might I add the "excitement" of seeing a team with a losing record enter the NFL playoffs...
and then beat the New Orleans Saints!
That, my friends, is sports narrative.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
To play devil's advocate:
I would argue that it’s impossible to compare MLS to the NFL on terms of parity due to the NFL being the defacto leader of the sport. Despite having a salary cap and being regulated, fans don’t really have any question over whether or not the NFL is the place to watch the best football, nor do they have much competition. NCAA is most popular in areas without an NFL team, for example.
MLS, on the other hand, has to directly compete for eyeballs against the European top leagues where there is no such parity. As such quality suffers, players leave MLS, and fans will instead turn their gaze towards the champions of the EPL rather than the champions of MLS.
RCTID - Stumptown Footy
Moderator of /r/MLS
by Geoff Gibson on Jun 8, 2011 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Yep
To be quite honest, I paid zero attention to MLS before the Timbers joined – as an Arsenal fan, who is accustomed to the style and quality of play in the Premier League and has been watching Arsenal for 20 years, why would I willingly watch a league that’s several levels below that in quality?
MLS has done a great job of avoiding the pitfalls of rapid growth and expansion and spending more than they have, and I’m glad for that as I now pay attention to MLS. What I would love to see MLS do at this point is grow their revenue, and allow MLS to spend more money on players. And also to work with USSF to dramatically improve the quality of refereeing in MLS.
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