DISQUS

Its a shame Montreal dropped out of the bidding. Their bid, combined with Portland, were the best bids in the most cohesive markets. Miami is a small market, with many sprawling communities, that don;t have a good sports history. Moreover, many of the latinos in the area are from countries, such as Cuba and Venezuela, which are not soccer countries. It seems like a terrible move to me, but then again, its MLS.

Donavan will be fortunate to hammer down a starting. The pace and quality of Germany are so much different from MLS that there are serious doubts about whether or not he can flourish there. He is the US's biggest name, but was an abject failure at BL. Hopefully, I am wrong, but my doubts are strong.

A reasonable list.

After reading the comments. We can't expect mid-20s superstars to come. The realistic expectations for MLS should be slow growth, and eventually the domestic soccer culture will provide the talent. Anything else will lead us down the path of the vapid Mexican League.

He might not have been my choice, but Freddie was more than a bit player on some great Arsenal squads. In his day he was decisive and a star. That said, he's past his peak, and not the idol Blanco is. However, your criticism of the Barros Schelotto is vexing. A very solid player, signed for a reasonable price, he has brought a very sub-par team to the top of the league. Barros Schelotto is the league's MVP. Some senior players are fine, as long as they come fit and ready to perform and mentor. Most of the signings you mention have not been busts, and while I agree with betting on youth, some investment in foreign veterans to bring experience to the league is a good thing. Hopefully, some of these guys, like Guillermo, will stick around and coach.

Should the goals be bigger? Would that make anything more entertaining? There is no fast fix. We need to develop domestic talent, and educate. It might take 20 years. This Americanizing is crap, we don't have to be Republican exceptionalists even in soccer, the world's game.

I really like this site besides the anti-Euro editorial line, along with the daft series "Americanizing American Soccer." There is alot to be learned from the European leagues. I would rather MLS study the Premiership over the NFL & NBA (which I particularly hate). Of course, we need to produce a good domestic product, and the media needs to explain it. But overtime, if the MLS can be a league that runs for its fans and for the game, rather than just a corporate machine, then the game will grow in the US.

Steele is not from England, rather Northern Ireland. He is British, not English.

Why not Copper and why never Twellman? These absences have always perplexed me. What makes us think Charlie Davis and Brian Ching are better investments?

I agree, but the bigger problem is the lack of drama in the MLS season & youth development. Placing more importance on the regular season champion, maybe to play the MLS cup winner (if not the same), and only 4 teams in the playoffs would help that. Another thing to keep the bottom of the league interesting would be relegation, but there is no hope of that too "unamerican," which is why my hopes for MLS are bleak at best.

Does this mean they do not want to expand to Montreal? What a disappointment, because that is a great diverse fan base.

But they are a USL team, and as such we should be happy that they are mentioned within the realm of US soccer (maybe we can look at it as US soccer being within the realm of PR soccer, but there is no need to be divisive). Moreover, the relationship with USL is good for soccer on the Island, which otherwise would have to base from which to grow upon when faced with the popularity of basket y volleyball.

Puerto Ricans have American passports, and most on the Island want it to remain that way. The mayor of Bayamón supports statehood, so do many of the supporters.

I like your blog, and will not be as stridently and unreasonably critical as the other comments, but maybe this article is a little over the top. Hopefully dangerous hooliganism will never take root in U.S. soccer, and to date there is little evidence it is threatening to. A few scattered incidents should not be taken out of context as an excuse for strict measures against fan groups, who need support as our sport grows and seeks passionate followers amongst the American public.

Who is Mitch Howard? Will he be allowed to post again?

Normally I very much and agree with your (majorleaguesoccertalk.com) pieces, but this one is daft. Why change the rules? The first seasons of MLS proved that such a move provides no benefits. What soccer in the US needs is more youth development, more league development (maybe tweaks to the current MLS format to make it relevant all summer long, as you have mentioned other days. my vote is for the Brasil model, only shorter), more youth development, and creative players that shine on a world stage. Changing soccer will not help it.