Quote:
Originally Posted by GregHickman
It definitely would have helped if MLS leaned more towards a relegation/promotion system to encourage grassroots development and teambuilding. Alas, that isn't the case, so they need to do the best they can with the current system (which is working pretty well, IMO).
There has been steady growth in the MLS over the past few years and certainly due to expansion in the Pacific Northwest as well as in Philadelphia and Montreal. All of these have been solid markets for the MLS as the Whitecaps draw well and the Sounders are the highest drawing team in the league.
After a certain amount of time there should be a developmental crest where you get a wave of younger players who are either A)Willing to stay in NA to play football or B)The world market is saturated and they have nowhere to go. Either way the quality of play should theoretically improve as the development improves. Football numbers and registration is increasing in Canada so it's only a matter of time until we start feeling the effects of that.
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I don't know if the world market will ever be saturated. How would that happen? There's always going to be a market for better players, younger players, talented players - especially in Europe, where the more wealthier teams (i.e. Manchester United, ManCity, Barcelona FC, etc) can afford to pay, and attract.
And as of right now. The best league in the world is the EPL. top talent located there, best competition in the world stage by far. I don't know why any american/canadian player playing in MLS, if they're young and good, would stay in MLS, and not cross the pond to get paid better, and play against the best in the world.