In stating his desire to make MLS among the "leading
soccer leagues in the world" on Friday, MLS Commissioner Don
Garber "made an ambitious statement," according to Frank
Dell'Apa of the BOSTON GLOBE, who wrote, "Watching a typical
MLS game often makes that dream seem rather far-fetched."
Dell'Apa added that MLS "is far behind the more
sophisticated leagues" in England, France, Germany, Italy
and Spain. Dell'Apa: "But this is a feel-good time in the
league, Garber is still in the honeymoon stage of his reign,
and the investors have committed funding through 2003,
despite decreasing attendance and sustaining losses of about
$50 million annually." MLS Exec VP/Marketing & Fan
Development Mark Noonan: "It might be five or 10 years, or
it might take 50 or 100 years [to make a profit.] You have
to think of it as a process and we are at the beginning.
That is how the investors see it" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/30). In
Columbus, Craig Merz wrote that MLS "is still trying to find
its niche" (COL. DISPATCH, 7/29). USA TODAY's Jose Alfredo
Flores: "[MLS] is taking baby steps in its effort to make an
impact in the American sports realm" (USA TODAY, 7/31). Crew
D Mike Clark, on Garber: "He's done a great job of making
his presence felt, like getting rid of the shootout. I'd
give him a 7 [out of ten]" (COL. DISPATCH, 7/30).
FINAL NOTES FROM COLUMBUS: In Boston, Frank Dell'Apa
writes that Mutiny F Mamadou Diallo made MLS' marketing
department's "job a lot easier," as the "orange-haired
striker ... stole the show" on Saturday in "an otherwise
superfluous event." Dell'Apa: "Diallo has plenty of
personality" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/31)....In Chicago, Bob Foltman
writes on Saturday's game, "There are social club games in
Lincoln Park that are played with more intensity than the
All-Star Game. The league claims having matches such as
this on national television is a chance to introduce new
fans to their league and the sport. But those fans aren't
being introduced to the game that will be played 99 percent
of the time. Why not continue the season and cut another
week off the calendar?" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 7/31).
