Anonymous league sources confirm that MLS is planning to stick with 34-game schedule, rather than expand to 36 games and maintain balance.
Sep 19, 2011 - Anyone paying attention to the current crop of season-ticket renewal requests that have been sent out in recent weeks has probably noticed that teams are moving forward with the assumption that they will play 17 home league games. That would obviously equate to a 34-game regular-season schedule. With 19 teams in MLS in 2012, it all points directly to an unbalanced schedule.
Now, two independent league sources have confirmed that MLS is, in fact, planning the 2012 season under the assumption that the 34-game schedule will be maintained, meaning at least a temporary abandonment of balance. The league reportedly considered extending the schedule to 36 games as a way of maintaining balance, but the eventual inclusion of a 20th team made that less desirable.
The league will almost certainly consist of two conferences, with one consisting of nine teams and the other consisting of 10. While no decision seems to have been made about the Houston Dynamo, it would seem to make sense to move them back to the Western Conference where they would be reconnected with Texas rival FC Dallas. Such a move would also make sense under the assumption that team No. 20 will be in New York.
Under this plan, teams would play all in-conference opponents twice and most out-of-conference opponents once. The unbalanced nature of the conferences will mean that all teams won't play the same number of out-of-conference games. This will also mark the first time that every MLS team will not visit and host every other MLS team at least once.
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Jan 5
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Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Any reports on the reasoning? Is this due to friendlies? Any reason they couldn’t start the season a week earlier?
by mrbs on Sep 19, 2011 3:40 PM EDT reply actions
It's as simple/dumb as this:
You expand to 36 games this year, fine, but then you need to expand to 38 when team No. 20 joins. I got sense MLS wasn’t willing to commit to balance forever and figures this is essentially ripping off the bandaid.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 19, 2011 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Seems like extending the season is in the long term interest of the league...
…more playing time brings up the skill level, more games that people are going to, and keeps cross-division rivalries alive. If they’re planning on staying at 20 for a bit it would have been nice to have a nice, balanced schedule for the next 10 years or whatever, bonus points if it makes the season a bit longer and eliminates friendlies.
I just hope Garber’s not doing this just to prove that the split-table format he’s been clinging to had a purpose.
by mrbs on Sep 19, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
won't get arguments from me
but if i’m being asked to climb inside Garber’s head, I think this is his thinking.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 19, 2011 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Extension
I think they should extend the mls league, not so much games but the time frame. 36 games but over a longer period. This isnt europe, teams dont have the money or reserves to be sitting theyre best guys all the time on away matches in the CCL. Extending the league would help solve that. Teams would have an adequate amount of time to rest their best players that way they can constantly play. I for one hate watching my Colorado rapids play away ccl games due to the fact we play 1-2 starters. I know thats how it is with FC Dallas and Seattle. If we do this more people would be willing to watch the CCL on fsc because theyre stars are out. Which would eventually bring in more revenue and spread the talent that is MLS.
by jdn8011 on Sep 19, 2011 8:58 PM EDT reply actions
the problem is weather
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 19, 2011 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Thats the problem
People think soccer is a warm weather sport, it isnt. Its ten times better in the cold. The game is faster, teams dont run out of energy as fast. I love winter soccer. They need to do it. Dont make it like baseball. One weather all the time.
by jdn8011 on Sep 20, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Which is fine...
Except in places like Chicago, Denver and Toronto where playing in the winter means playing in several feet of snow.
Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.
by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 21, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I live in Denver
It isnt that bad until january. Oct Nov Dec its just very cold thats all. Plus it isnt that hard to take it off the field. They do it for football they can for soccer. But oh well not like this will ever happen, then again they could start in march or april.
by jdn8011 on Sep 21, 2011 11:17 AM EDT reply actions
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