Your column struck a cord with me. Now, I understand the MLS feels it needs to schedule matches the same weekend as when the MNT plays - you hit on those reasons above. I really wish MLS would not play on the same weekend as the MNT - and certainly not the same day. But I think I understand some of the economics why MLS does play the same weekend and even the same day.
However, MLS would be really wise to at least not play games within a four hour window of the MNT game. So if the MNT plays between, say, 4:30 and 6:30, MLS would not schedule any games that start or end between 3;30 and 7:30.
Not ideal, but better than overlapping games.
I don't understand why MLS won't do this. After all, what better what to market key MLS stars like Donovan?