Don Garber and MLS

[Rampart]

I have to admit, after the Guillermo Barros Schelotto signing by Columbus, MLS seems to really be putting itself on the map. Mind you, it's no where near the European and South American leagues, but I think the "slow and steady" evolution is working out great.

The "Beckham" rule had a bigger impact than I thought it would. Even if MLS teams are unable to sign the big star players in thier prime, they are still signing some great talent. The rumor mill seems to include MLS teams everytime you turn around.

I like that Don Garber has shifted the marketing of soccer from trying to appeal to everyone and Americanizing it, to focusing on his niche market and making changes to draw in the soccer first fans.

The TV contracts will help a great deal and I can see MLS being a very credible league on a globas basis in years to come.

Agree, Disagree?

[SouthSidePride]

I agree whole heartedly. More sports should target their niche. The NHL should target Canada and hockey crazy parts of the US (The North). And I think that soccer is doing a great job in targeting their niche, latinos and the under 18 demographic who grew up playing soccer. I hope they continue to grow, as I am a huge MLS fan and would love to see the league grow further.

[Geoff]

The NHL should focus on it's Niche? The NHL has established itself again. And may I remind you that the past two champions have come from the the Southeast. Plus, where do you draw the line for the "North?" The Mason-Dixon? So Cincinnati would be in the North but Louisville would be in the South? The NHL has done enough to gain fans back and they have gained them back. If you are saying this because you think the NHL is unstable, I understand but if you are one of the people who want to keep hockey out of non-traditional markets, then you are only going to kill the sport.

About MLS and Rampart's post, I totally agree with you. The MLS, unlike the NHL, does need to find it's niche. Soccer is popular in this country just not as much as the Big 4. If we can continue to produce great American talent, provide a great American (and Canadian) league, and have success at the international level, then USA will grow to like soccer more.

[Mac the Knife]

MLS? NHL?

What's multi-listing services and the New Hope Lounge have to do with sports?

[FiddySicks]

the other day I had the Los Angeles Galaxy vs FC Dallas game on at my store. Ive really been getting into soccer lately and it was a unique break to baseball and Outside The Lines reruns. Within five minutes of turning the game on there were at least fifty people crowded inside and just outside of the store to watch the game. I was stunned at the thought that this many people were die-hard, serious soccer fans. And the numbers kept growing too. I was truely stunned and it was that point that I realized that maybe pro soccer really could do well in this country.

Than my boss leans over and wispers to me that theres a high school soccer coaches convention going on this particular weekend. So my buzz was slightly killed, but it was still nice to see people watching soccer..........