Do you think the MLS is starting to show signs of a possible leap in quality?

Question

A couple months ago the NY redbulls beat santos of Brazil 3-1 in an exhibition. (schooling)
A week ago NY redbulls defeated juventus 3-1 again in an exhibition. (schooling again)
A week ago the galaxy defeated boca juniors 1-0 in a friendly (without donovan and buddle)
Today DC united beat ac milan 3-2 in a friendly. (worst club in the MLS)
Today sounders beat boca juniors 2-0 in a friendly. (I am starting to see a trend now)

This is interesting. In all the years I have seen MLS, I can't remember seeing MLS clubs consistantly win against great clubs in friendlies.

Your thoughts?

Answer 1

I think we have officially become a legit feeder league to the top european leagues and you are starting to see an influx of international players wanting to come to the MLS to get noticed. This, combined with we are starting to have the first generation of players who grew up with there alway being an MLS hitting the professional age. to me, there is no question that american youth soccer got a significant bump from the formation of the league and the players that were created by that bump are entering the league now. so yeah, its improving.



edit: because yahoo is stupid, the section that is "men's premier leagues (other)" in USA answers becomes "german football (soccer)" in canadian and probably other country answers. i figured this out a while ago when i somehow logged into canada answers by accident. yahoo really needs to get this crap sorted out.

Answer 2

Yes, it seems that you are correct, and what I have always feared will happen is in fact taking place, even if it is slower than you would probably like.

I have always said that if the United States ever got serious about football, then the world would have to watch out!

The law of averages says that out of over 300 million people, you will find some men (and women) who will be outstanding football players. So far, all of the attention has been on the NFL, the NBA and the NHL, with football as a distant cousin. If the U.S. gets their act together and starts to take football seriously, they could be a real force in world football, and one day even win the World Cup!

They have the financial resources, the population and now the avenue to promote the sport better than it has ever been done in the United States before, the MLS competition.

Looks like the Yanks are coming, and the rest of the world better watch out!



By the way, what was this question doing in the German Football section?

Answer 3

Can't wait to see TFC beat up on Bolton this summer!



I think MLS will soon be considered a top league. Henry is coming to New York and with the new DP rule, any MLS team can get 3 elite players. Rumoured players to come to MLS are: Raul, Ronaldinho, Del Piero, Henry (most likely happening in a few weeks).



MLS is impressing me right now, especially New York and DC. AC Milan has no excuse to lose to the worst team (by far, in my opinion) in MILS. Boca is a good team and lost twice. No excuses there too.



We need to see an MLS team like Toronto or Galaxy win the CCL and represent us in the Club World Cup.

Answer 4

I wouldn't put a lot of stock into any of thoes games (other than maybe the Santos one). The Italian and Argentinian teams just finished a long grueling season and are embarking on a tour. You can't really expect players, whether they be starters or reserves, to be motivated to play. They're fatigued, they're ready to spend more time at home with family or go on vacation and take their minds off football. A lot of these teams have also sent their best players to their national team's World Cup training camps.



I'm a TFC fan too and I'm looking forward to the Bolton match. Bolton will probably field a good roster for the game because not a lot of their starters are going to the World Cup.

Answer 5

I think that you are on to something. I watched the Galaxy game live, and I could tell that the Boca Juniors players were getting frustrated. That game was not a friendly to them. I was specially surprised how Seattle dominated Boca so easily, they have some good quality players on that team. I think the MLS will continue to grow in stature as they continue to buy players from all over the world, and this will only help the U.S born players develop and go off into where ever they decide to go.

Answer 6

The MLS level is rather close to the Dutch league said by Hans Backe, New York Red Bulls head coach. The Dutch league could be on a little bit higher level; probably not the highest teams like Ajax or PSV , but MLS are "clean" , that's for sure

Answer 7

Really?



You really are this delusional?



These are friendlies..........nothing to rate a league by.



Tell you what......ever since the CONCACAF Champions League winner qualified to the World Cup of Clubs...the FMF has won rather easily.

Win the most important tournament in North America and then start talking about progress. This tournament offers HOME AND AWAY games....so it represents the best of the best. Unlike the ignorant Superliga.



Win that tourney or atleast get into the Semi-finals so the FMF does not have all 4 teams in the Semi-final and then we can talk.

Answer 8

I definitely think so.

You know they may say that the MLS is the "retiring" league but I think that the MLS is feeding itself from great talents, this in the long run will help the MLS go to a higher level, I really think that in about a decade, American soccer will be one of the top leagues in the world without a doubt, they just need to keep getting those results in the official tournaments.

Answer 9

Well it doesn't really matter to me Major because I can only get four channels so my viewing of RTV is limited! There does seem to be an awful lot of them these days though and of the ones I can view I am selective at what I watch. Before anyone says anything about a Freeview Box - they don't work in my area!!

Answer 10

these friendly'don'tnt matter, but the truth is we have grown in quality over the years each year getting better. we are getting good young players from brazil an other south american countries its only a matter of time till we get some real stars



after world cup the MLS will change, we will get some new players. future of MLS looks good

Answer 11

I think it depends on the players these visiting teams fielded. Did they field their starters? Or did they send out their B and C teams. Which players did the U.S. teams send out?



MLS is improving in quality and I've read a lot of European plays complain about the physical play and bad weather (e.g. heat and humidity).

Answer 12

I'm shocked too, but what counts is the wins in the real tournaments. That's where I want to see the wins. That's where I want to see the consistency. That's where we'll prove the leap in quality. And believe, that leap is getting closer and closer every year.

Answer 13

Nope most played their young squad and untested players. With one or two starters.

Answer 14

see you losers around at the superliga 2010 and CCL 2010-2011

your worst nightmare awaits....... the mexican teams

Answer 15

i bet the those teams just feel sry for the MLS so they just loose purposley

Answer 16

haha?...the mls???...