Only One Football

There will never be promotion and relegation in Major League Soccer. At least not in the traditional, European sense.  The franchise fees are too high to risk what would be perceived by American audiences as a demotion to a minor league.  No, there will never be promotion and relegation in the MLS in the traditional sense.  Now the emphasis in that last sentence is where things get interesting.

Right now the USL franchises in Montreal, Vancouver, Minnesota, Miami, Carolina as well as potential franchises in Tampa Bay, Atlanta and St. Louis are looking at forming their own breakaway league.  There has been some talk of them doing this in partnership with MLS to create MLS2, which would serve as a second division.  Now at first glance that might look like an unsavory bunch.  Vancouver will be leaving USL anyway in 2011 to join MLS and Montreal is all but announced to do the same in 2012.  However, those ownerships have reportedly indicated they have interest in setting up a second tier affiliate in another city, Victoria in the case of Vancouver and Quebec City in the case of Montreal.  You might point out that Minnesota has been reported in dire financial straits and Miami has one of the worst attendance records in pro soccer.  You might also point out that 3 of the 8 teams in the purported league didn’t even compete in 2009.  All fair.

However, what should not be overlooked is the benefits this would bring.  Under the MLS brand, these franchises would receive much greater legitimacy in the general sports-going public’s perception. After all, thanks to Beckhamania, the average US sports fan is quite familiar with what Major League Soccer is, though they have no idea what USL is.  With no reserve league, MLS teams would have somewhere to loan out younger players and emergency squad players for game experience.  With MLS having 16 teams in 2010 and this league perhaps having 8, a clean 2:1 ratio before potentially adding more clubs to MLS2 in future years.  Further, it would provide MLS an opportunity to test out some promising markets.  Not sure whether to green-light franchises in St. Louis and Atlanta?  See how well the owners run the team and how well the fans turn out in MLS2 first.  Thinking about giving Tampa and Miami a second try?  Lets see if the fans show up in MLS2.

Oh yes, promotion and relegation, the favorite topic of every US soccer fans who wants MLS to grow up into one of the leading leagues in the world.  Where does that fit in?  Well, that’s an area where MLS can look to USL for some inspiration.  In USL, teams are promoted and relegated based on their financial situation and ability to operate, rather than based on their on-field performance.  So teams that incubate well in MLS2 can be “promoted” to MLS.  MLS’s financial strugglers could, rather than lose their team, perhaps drop down to MLS2 for a few seasons while they get their house in order and way for the next MLS1 spot to appear again.  Its better than losing your team outright, correct fans?  Get that sweetheart stadium deal, or maybe a new owner, and get back to MLS1.  Meanwhile you still field a team and play in a competitive league as well as in Cups.

One thing you must give Don Garber and MLS credit for is that they are hell bent on doing this thing their way.  Not only are they not looking to emulate European leagues, they are going into Europe and telling them to emulate MLS.  That’s why I’m more convinced then ever that we will not see a traditional soccer pyramid built off MLS with promotion and relegation between divisions.  However, MLS2 makes sense if Garber and MLS do it their way.  And maybe they can get FIFA off their back just a little bit, and win the USA some brownie points toward hosting the 2018 or 2022 World Cup as a cherry on top.