As 2011 approaches, we have much to look forward to as a soccer nation. It is comforting to know that, yes, soccer is here to stay in the States. Where are we going from here?
1. New Soccer-Specific Stadiums
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| Vancouver's BC Place |
2. Expanded Televised Coverage
Major League Soccer is seeking to renew deal with Fox Soccer Channel worth $20 million per year. The asking price is almost seven times more than the current deal. The previous contract netted the MLS $3 million annually. It will be interesting to see the finalized figures and the justification the MLS provides for the enormous increase.
3. Expansion Clubs in New Cities
2011 will also see the announcement of the New York Cosmos as Major League Soccer's 20th club. It may be speculation at this point, but it is near inevitable following Don Garber's comments in an October interview with SoccerAmerica, "it would be great for us to have that 20th team in New York and be a local rival to the Red Bulls."
4. Simulated Promotion and Relegation
MLS Commissioner, Don Garber, has advised FIFA it would simulate promotion and relegation among clubs across the States in 2011. With the introduction of the USL PRO league (potentially USSF's third division), it will be interesting to see how promotion and relegation would impact the league.
5. Longer MLS Regular Season
Major League Soccer has expanded its regular season to 34 matches from 30 in prior seasons. Fortunately, the league will not see a mid-season break in play due to the World Cup. It is guaranteed that we will see expanded discussion of the MLS's Spring/Fall season versus FIFA's preferred Fall/Winter schedule.
6. More Designated Players not called Designated Players
As clubs continue to chase players abroad to fill 'Designated Player' spots on the roster, we will see Major League Soccer remove salary caps and player salary maximums in order to keep homegrown players in the United States and leaving for money that clubs in Europe and abroad can offer.
7. Addition of Academies and Clubs, not Teams
MLS clubs will follow in the footsteps of Vancouver Whitecaps FC and FC Barcelona with the addition of youth academies and women's programs starting in 2011. Sporting KC has rebranded the club, modeling it after Barcelona, as the Philadelphia Union have introduced a 'Path to PPL Park', providing American youth an elite level of play and training.
8. Reformed WPS, not called WPS (or WUSA)
Due to developments and the ceased existence of numerous WPS clubs in 2011, the Women's Professional Soccer league will live on in the New Year with only 6 clubs competing during the season. It is difficult to imagine the league is about to rebound. 'Official' support of the MLS may be the key to longevity of women's professional soccer in the United States.
9. Transfer Fees like the Rest of the World
Former Seattle Sounders and Chicago Fire player, Freddie Ljungberg, signed with Celtic at no benefit of the Chicago club. The result? No transfer fee and no income for the MLS. In 2011, we will hear more discussion of the league transferring the rights of players to the respective clubs and away from single ownership.
10. Transparency in FIFA (maybe)
If 2010, has shown us anything, it's that the current FIFA voting process caused more controversy than ever. The tournament style voting process makes sense, but it seems we will never know if Qatar paid $10 million per vote for the 2022 World Cup. We will never know if there was connection with the earlier 'FIFA Voting Scandal' removing two officials' rights to vote.
re: Simulated Pro-relegation - USSF has provisionally sanctioned NASL for Division 2 status, which would leave USL PRO at Division 3. But that is yet to be finalized.
ReplyDeleteLove the Union's "Path to PPL Park" more teams definitely need to be on that route.
And hope we see the Cosmos.