MLS Details Progress, Unveils Game First Initiatives

Garber Says MLS Continuing To Grow At Steady Pace

MLS Commissioner Don Garber, during a conference call yesterday previewing the upcoming season, said the league is “growing at a slow and steady pace.” Garber: “So much of our decision-making is not about today, it’s in three- to five-year [bunches].” He added, “I have no doubt this will be a dominant league in this country; it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.” Garber said the designated player rule has “delivered, if not over-delivered on expectations.” Garber: “The pent-up anticipation of David Beckham is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, sports stories of the year. ... This has taken on a life of its own and really, truly garnered more attention than we expected.” Garber noted the league hopes to expand from 13 teams to 16 by 2010 and is in discussions with groups in Atlanta, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, San Diego, San Jose, St. Louis, Miami and the Pacific Northwest. Garber also said the league “expects to have more announcements on the jersey front in the next couple of weeks” following sponsorship deals reached by the Galaxy, FC Toronto and Real Salt Lake.

NEW INITIATIVES: MLS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis unveiled a set of “Game First” initiatives that will take effect this season in an attempt to improve the quality of play. He said TV broadcasts will include more camera angles, better replays and access to the locker rooms. Also, he said game presentations will “conform with the international traditions of soccer.” Gazidis said teams will enter the field led by the referees while a new “MLS anthem” is played. The anthem, which was recorded by an 80-piece orchestra, will be unveiled on the league’s Web site on Friday. The league also for the first time has hired full-time referees and has established the “MLS Working Group on Officiating,” which will conduct regular meetings between coaches, officials and players (THE DAILY).

REAX: In L.A., Nick Green writes with such a “sheer volume of offseason announcements, ... it was difficult to keep up.” MLS officials are “aware that Beckham is a means to an end. He’s the carrot; it will be up to MLS to convince casual sports fans, Eurosnobs who pay attention to overseas leagues and the growing Latino population that the domestic product is worth watching” (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 4/3). In Ft. Lauderdale, Jeff Rusnak: “The foundation MLS has worked so diligently to form is topped by fairly drab architecture. There’s a decent structure, but it lacks dramatic strokes and bold colors. It’s nothing that better players and a more meaningful regular season can’t fix, though neither will come easily or quickly” (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 4/1).

FOR MORE: For more on the upcoming MLS season, see Thursday’s issue of THE DAILY.