⚽️ MLS was Top 5 in goals scored at the World Cup, and 6th in minutes played. Do you think it gets a bump? ⚽️

[EdgarAllenPodolak]

Great breakdown in this article. The surge in ranking of MLS in these key metrics over the last two World Cups is striking. Will anyone notice? Do you think this vaults MLS to more relevance with fans?

The final numbers: Where MLS ranks for minutes, goals & more at the 2026 World Cup

The numbers don’t lie: by virtually every metric, MLS was the 6th-most successful league at this World Cup

tacticsfreezone.ghost.io

 

[Hydro2.0]

article?

 

[WDDT]

No, unfortunately not.

 

[52317Hawk]

Link?

 

[yoshi121374]

MLS academies are the key for the US Men's team moving forward. I also think the quality of the league is much,much better than it used to be. More investment is adding depth and quality is improving.

Its not the top tier of league yet, like England,Spain,or.Germany, but it is catching up to some of the other leagues around the world.

 

[EdgarAllenPodolak]

article?

Link?

Damn. Just added it to my post.

 

[EdgarAllenPodolak]

MLS academies are the key for the US Men's team moving forward. I also think the quality of the league is much,much better than it used to be. More investment is adding depth and quality is improving.

It’s not the top tier of league yet, like England,Spain,or.Germany, but it is catching up to some of the other leagues around the world.

I think your post is spot on. I’m interested in how much the public picks up on that, and how much MLS benefits. I think signing some of the players that crossed over to the general public: Haaland (obviously not likely this season), Vozinha, Kane, and Gilberto Mora, would help it surge.

 

[Hawkfan_08*]

I have been saying for years (without evidence and based on my eyeballs and vibes) that the MLS is so much closer than people realize.

The big 5, overall, are clearly ahead of everyone else but only when you get to 5-7ish teams (way more for the EPL). You can't tell me that the top MLS sides would not have housed Burnley or Wolves last year, let alone half of the French league. The teams at the top of these leagues are going to bring in so much money, talent, eyeballs and sales but the rest seems to be about the same.

 

[EdgarAllenPodolak]

Atlanta United on the verge of signing two forwards: Breel Embolo of Switzerland’s World Cup fame. Hit two goals in the tournament before his controversial red card against Argentina. And Darwin Nunez of Liverpool and Uruguay fame…

Atlanta in talks with Darwin Núñez, Breel Embolo as MLS club lines up big move: Sources

Atlanta does not currently have a designated player spot open, but that could be changing imminently

www.nytimes.com

 

[tarheelbybirth1]

I think your post is spot on. I’m interested in how much the public picks up on that, and how much MLS benefits. I think signing some of the players that crossed over to the general public: Haaland (obviously not likely this season), Vozinha, Kane, and Gilberto Mora, would help it surge.

Haaland in MLS would be like CC in the WNBA. A huge get. He's the one who would get non-soccer eyes on games.

 

[jaxhawk]

Maybe Haaland will come to MLS in like 10 years...

 

[EdgarAllenPodolak]

Maybe Haaland will come to MLS in like 10 years...

I think MLS should go NASL ‘77 and aggressively move to sign a group of household name players and breakout WC players in their prime. Which is basically just those guys mentioned, with players like Embolo. To be one of the great leagues, you have to have that mass exodus to America like back then. That does two things: 1) leads to players feeling comfortable with the quality present, and 2) drives up the TV contract along with those WC ratings.

Watching MLS this week though, it’s pretty wild how every team (with the exception of some of the small market teams out west) seems to have at least one world star player. It was Lewandowski vs Suarez (w/o Messi), Werner vs Griezmann, Almiron vs Ream, etc.

 

[WDDT]

Nunez played for Liverpool 4 years ago and is coming from the Saudi league.... I appreciate your excitement Menace but these guys are not moving the needle.

 

[EdgarAllenPodolak]

Nunez played for Liverpool 4 years ago and is coming from the Saudi league.... I appreciate your excitement Menace but these guys are not moving the needle.

I’m not claiming those guys would from a viewership standpoint, just in building the quality overall. Only the Haaland and Mbappe types would really move the needle. You know, like Messi or Lewandowski type players.

 

[aCEOuProbablyKnow]

Haaland in MLS would be like CC in the WNBA. A huge get. He's the one who would get non-soccer eyes on games.

Claims of racism would LAUNCH the league!

 

[EdgarAllenPodolak]

Well, here’s an indication: With the ratings bump MLS on FOX has gotten, they’re moving almost all the first round Leagues Cup matches against Liga MX from FS1 to FOX network television in prime time:

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/s/AhUvoE7kiS

 

[aCEOuProbablyKnow]

No.

 

[Titanhawk]

MLS academies are the key for the US Men's team moving forward. I also think the quality of the league is much,much better than it used to be. More investment is adding depth and quality is improving.

Its not the top tier of league yet, like England,Spain,or.Germany, but it is catching up to some of the other leagues around the world.

Heard discussion on this on DP show last week or so, academies are for those parents with money, not for the kids with talent

 

[yoshi121374]

Heard discussion on this on DP show last week or so, academies are for those parents with money, not for the kids with talent

It's tough because you are trying to create a culture where one didn't exist, and trying to convince investors and owners that finding these homegrown players will pay off the investment if you can "sell them on" later.

 

[yoshi121374]

I’m not claiming those guys would from a viewership standpoint, just in building the quality overall. Only the Haaland and Mbappe types would really move the needle. You know, like Messi or Lewandowski type players.

MLS attacking quality has greatly improved, defense and depth is still somewhat meh.

The key for winning fans is to really show the quality improvements, the fan experiences, and how much attendance and fanbases have grown compared to the early years of the league.

 

[EdgarAllenPodolak]

Heard discussion on this on DP show last week or so, academies are for those parents with money, not for the kids with talent

Incorrect. The MLS Academies are the ONLY elite merit based clubs. There are a few out there which are some pay to play (Barron Trump was on DC United’s academy team, for example), but Yoshi does well explaining the incentives for a club…

It's tough because you are trying to create a culture where one didn't exist, and trying to convince investors and owners that finding these homegrown players will pay off the investment if you can "sell them on" later.

Yep. And the league has expressly said that they want to be a “selling league” to the most elite money teams around the world. FC Dallas’ Academy generates positive revenues by developing elite talent. Salt Lake, Chicago Fire, NYCFC, NY Red Bulls, all do as well.

 

[TC_Nole_OX]

NEW DEAL?! | Mauricio Pochettino closes in on deal to remain USMNT head coach

 

[EdgarAllenPodolak]

NEW DEAL?! | Mauricio Pochettino closes in on deal to remain USMNT head coach

Don’t love it, but don’t hate it. I’d rather have BJ Callaghan back. We looked great with him as interim and Nashville has been cooking these last two seasons.

Speaking of cooking, Messi back at it right away with Miami, starting his first game back, against San Luis in the Leagues Cup…

 

[EdgarAllenPodolak]

Sergi Roberto of Barcelona and Spain to LA Galaxy. Longtime starting defensive midfielder, 34 years old and scored a goal in WC Qualifying.

 

[WDDT]

Sergi Roberto of Barcelona and Spain to LA Galaxy. Longtime starting defensive midfielder, 34 years old and scored a goal in WC Qualifying.

View attachment 1388136

He hasn't played for Spain in 5 years and hasn't played for Barca in 2.

 

[Aardvark86]

Top five out of what?

 

[Hawkfan_08*]

Top five out of what?

Roughly 70 is what I just found out through chat.

Great win for LAFC over Toluca in a bad game by both teams.

 

[TC_Nole_OX]

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