Sound the Alarm!

Posted on January 29, 2010

Too many positives in MLS to let the CBA get in the way

Talks Extended

There was good news today as Major League Soccer and the Player’s Union said they’ve extended the deadline to try and hammer out a new CBA to February 12th.  There is way too much to lose on both sides if there is a lockout from the league or a strike by the players.  I completely understand that both sides have to be willing to listen to each other and make concessions where they make sense in order to continue to build the league and at the same time keep it financially viable. 

Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Union and their fans cannot wait to kick off their first season in MLS after a very successful Superdraft, a new TV deal with local ABC and a brand spankin’ new stadium built in Chester, PA (Still think it should have been called Chester Field). 

Pacific Northwest

Just when you thought the Seattle Sounders could not do better than their first season in MLS, well, they have.  They increased the available amount of season tickets by 10,000 and they only have 1,000 left which will bring the average attendance at Qwest Field on season tickets alone to 32,000.  That’s incredible!  Factor in Vancouver and Portland in 2011 and soccer in North America will have easily reached the height and success it did when the NASL was at its best.  Vancouver Whitecaps FC President Bob Lenarduzzi called it “Lightning in a Bottle” and six or seven years ago I think even he would have admitted that soccer may never reach that level of popularity in North America at least in his lifetime.  I’m sure he’s just as happy as anyone to say that he was indeed wrong.

New York

The New York Red Bulls have made changes in their coaching staff and are set to open Red Bull Arena to kick-off 2010.  It has once again become a destination for players in MLS.  Despite the fact they reached the 2008 MLS Cup Final New York has been a pretty bad place not only to play soccer, but to watch soccer as well.  Having to share Giants Stadium with the Giants and Jets meant also sharing National Football League lines painted on the pitch for almost every home match.  Not only was it distracting to watch on television, but was to the players too.  Rarely did you see them use the entire width of the field as it was very difficult to see the yellow lines marking the pitch.

Toronto

Let’s not forget grass at BMO Field!  No it’s not that kinda grass and yes we can thank Mo Edu’s transfer fee and the different levels of government who approved the deal.  Next time I see Mo I will buy him that Double Double Burger he’s been missing from In-N-Out Burgers while at Rangers.  New coaching staff at the club and a new outlook.  I expect big things from Toronto FC this season.  Failure will not be accepted and this time the dressing room really will be “all for one.”

That’s really just the tip of the iceberg as soccer fans look forward to the new season.  Let’s hope Major League Soccer and the Player’s Union see it the same way!