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The State of MLS
By Andrew McCarten, TheSportsStand.com (6/24/07)

Major League Soccer: it’s a phrase that often evokes laughs from European soccer fans and indifference in Americans. But this year, a new franchise, higher attendance figures and the creation of the “Designated Player” Rule seem to have energized the league. Toronto FC have gained speed after a slow start, and continue to pack their new home, BMO Field, to capacity. Attendance figures have been historically high, and the average American fan may be starting to take notice of the MLS. The creation of the DP Rule, in which every team gets one spot on their roster that a player can fill that exceeds the salary cap, has brought higher-class talent into the league. The maximum number of DP spots that can be held by a team is 2, which only the Red Bulls currently do, which enabled them to sign Claudio Reyna and Colombian phenom Juan Pablo Angel. This rule also made it possible for the Los Angeles Galaxy to make the biggest signing in MLS history, signing world superstar David Beckham from Real Madrid.

The signing of the English international gave the league some much needed publicity, and even a non-soccer fan had to take notice. New marquee players, like the aforementioned Angel, Beckham and other stars like former Club America star Cuamthec Blanco for the Chicago Fire, Dutch stars Ronald Watterreus and Dave van den Bergh of the Red Bulls, and former Boca Juniors star Guillermo Barros Schelotto of the Colorado Rapids have brought international level talent to the league. Also, homegrown stars like Landon Donovan, Brian Ching, Taylor Twellman, Pablo Mastroeni, Eddie Pope and Freddy Adu have decided to stay at home in the US and play in the league.

The league has also followed commonplace European tactics, like creating youth teams to foster young talent for the future. Also, the SuperLiga Tournament was established to distinguish the club soccer champions of North America. This tournament will take the top 4 MLS teams and the top 4 teams from the Mexican league, which FIFA has called the best league outside of Europe, and the winner will take home a $1,000,000 prize. This can be looked at as a mini-Champions League for North America, and good results for the MLS teams will really boost worldwide reputation.

I will be the first to stay that I wasn’t a big fan of the MLS. I really never thought it would ever be a half-decent league, and would have much rather watched even a lower division English match than an MLS match. But now my feelings are starting to change. With the new international talent and some actual passion from the fans, the league really seems to be taking steps in the right direction. So, if you’ve always wanted to feel the excitement of following a hometown professional soccer team, pick a club and start to follow the MLS. Who knows, you might actually be a little surprised.