What in your opinion is the state of soccer in both the USA and Canada? Recreational participation, attending professional matches, interest in ⚽️ etc

[Buzz Rules]

Yes! Registered for tickets as soon as the site went up (fingers crossed!!)

Same.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Soccer has totally changed from 40 years ago. Even MLS and the Premier League did not exist back then. If you are gifted nowadays and were in an academy, you can get your degree while playing with an MLS contract. You could also just skip college or leave early to go to Europe and play for a professional team provided you have an EU passport. The college option is still a necessity for some athletes before trying to be selected for the draft. Most teams are waiving their picks and trading them for TAM and GAM to help with the salary cap (which Europe doesn't have). Again they are exploring how to fix the issues.

MLS gave the rights to Apple and Fox because they has horrible ratings on tv and frankly ESPN and Fox really didn't do a good job or even care. We are moving away from the twilight stars of Europe. I was not a fan of the Messi fan.

I loved the Zava story line on Ted Lasso. If that wasn't a nod to Zlatan playing for the LA Galaxy I don't know what is.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Soccer has totally changed from 40 years ago. Even MLS and the Premier League did not exist back then. If you are gifted nowadays and were in an academy, you can get your degree while playing with an MLS contract. You could also just skip college or leave early to go to Europe and play for a professional team provided you have an EU passport. The college option is still a necessity for some athletes before trying to be selected for the draft. Most teams are waiving their picks and trading them for TAM and GAM to help with the salary cap (which Europe doesn't have). Again they are exploring how to fix the issues.

MLS gave the rights to Apple and Fox because they has horrible ratings on tv and frankly ESPN and Fox really didn't do a good job or even care. We are moving away from the twilight stars of Europe. I was not a fan of the Messi fan.

Benefit of a doubt; I just went on the Galaxy website and tried to determine the college alma matter of any of the players. I couldn't do it. Compare that to NBA or NFL (lesser MLB and NHL) where the players are introduced with their Alma Matter. There's a reason for that. MLS can do better - MLS NEEDS to do better.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Benefit of a doubt; I just went on the Galaxy website and tried to determine the college alma matter of any of the players. I couldn't do it. Compare that to NBA or NFL (lesser MLB and NHL) where the players are introduced with their Alma Matter. There's a reason for that. MLS can do better - MLS NEEDS to do better.

Most of the best do professional play at 16.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Most of the best do professional play at 16.

They don't go to college at all? I've got a problem with that too. One injury and it's over. 16 year olds are nowhere near ready to make such decisions. In a perfect world the majority should be finishing with a college degree with only the stand-outs coming out early. NCAA can't grow the game if the players aren't going to school.

Yeah, I know - it's pretty hard to get the Genie back in the bottle.

 

[Buzz Rules]

They don't go to college at all? I've got a problem with that too. One injury and it's over. 16 year olds are nowhere near ready to make such decisions. In a perfect world the majority should be finishing with a college degree with only the stand-outs coming out early. NCAA can't grow the game if the players aren't going to school.

Yeah, I know - it's pretty hard to get the Genie back in the bottle.

MLS has a college program to allow students to finish their degree.

 

[Lumpy1106]

MLS has a college program to allow students to finish their degree.

Not really the same thing as a strategic partnership with NCAA.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Not really the same thing as a strategic partnership with NCAA.

They are working on it. No one expects a change until closer to 2030. A lot of things need to be worked out.