Blatter Says MLS Should Switch Schedule, Play In Own Stadiums

Blatter Says MLS Teams Need Own Stadiums For League To Grow

FIFA President Sepp Blatter wants MLS to “switch to a traditional soccer schedule that starts in late summer and ends in late spring,” according to Rob Harris of the AP. Blatter: “American football plays in winter, so (soccer) can only play from March to October, which means you are not in the right season. The best American players are playing here [in Europe], and this is the basic problem with the MLS.” The league has said that it “hopes to eventually make the switch, but it can’t for now because it shares several stadiums with NFL teams.” Eight of MLS’ 15 clubs currently play in soccer-specific stadiums. Blatter: “This league was founded after the 1994 World Cup, but is still struggling to get the position they should have according to the number of football players there are in the United States. It has the highest number of young players in any sport. But the league has not found yet its position. It can only find its position if the league has its own stadiums” (AP, 3/12).