MLS Heads Into Critical Offseason Filled With Uncertainty
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Galaxy, Sounders FC Among MLS Clubs Pushing
For Expansion Of Designated Player Rule |
MLS "finds itself at the crossroads" after the conclusion of its 14th season, as the league has some "very difficult strategic issues to deal with, including some tough talks" with the MLSPU over a new CBA, according to Simon Evans of REUTERS. Some clubs, such as the Galaxy and Sounders FC, "would like to see an expansion" of the league's Designated Player exception and "greater freedom for clubs to buy in their own players and offer lucrative deals while less wealthy franchises fear that would create a small elite." Some current player salaries in MLS are "astonishingly low compared to the money that players of similar ability earn in Europe or South America." If MLS wants to "step up to a higher level, if it wants to be truly major league in the U.S. and in the world soccer scene, there will be some strains on the almost socialistic structures it currently operates in" (REUTERS.com, 11/23). USA TODAY's Beau Dure notes MLS this offseason will be "limited in pursuing any more" designated players "while labor talks are ongoing." The current CBA expires January 31, and if "talks go that long, moving players to and from Europe could be difficult" because the int'l transfer window closes that same day "for most European leagues." MLS has a "longer transfer window for incoming players, but European clubs are often reluctant to send players out if they no longer have a chance to bring in replacements" (USA TODAY, 11/24).
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS: MLS' average playoff attendance in '09 was the league's best since its inception in '96. Average attendance this year topped 20,000 for the first time in league history, and total attendance was the best since the postseason format was reduced to 11 games in '03. Below is a trend for MLS playoff attendance since the league began, as well as game-by-game attendance for this year's postseason (THE DAILY).
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MLS PLAYOFF ATTENDANCE TREND*
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|
YEAR
|
GMS
|
TOTAL
|
AVERAGE
|
|
'09
|
11
|
259,149
|
23,559
|
|
'08
|
11
|
181,382
|
16,489
|
|
'07
|
11
|
217,479
|
19,771
|
|
'06
|
11
|
166,972
|
15,179
|
|
'05
|
11
|
158,285
|
14,390
|
|
'04
|
11
|
153,691
|
13,972
|
|
'03*
|
11
|
164,758
|
14,978
|
|
'02
|
17
|
235,827
|
13,872
|
|
'01
|
18
|
212,485
|
11,805
|
|
'00
|
17
|
203,548
|
11,973
|
|
'99
|
16
|
257,417
|
16,089
|
|
'98
|
14
|
249,968
|
17,855
|
|
'97
|
13
|
208,192
|
16,015
|
|
'96
|
17
|
300,435
|
17,673
|
|
'09 MLS GAME-BY-GAME PLAYOFF ATTENDANCE
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|
DATE
|
MATCHUP
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ATTENDANCE
|
|
10/29
|
Dynamo-Sounders FC
|
35,807
|
|
10/31
|
Crew-Real Salt Lake
|
11,499
|
|
11/1
|
Fire-Revolution
|
7,416
|
|
11/1
|
Galaxy-Chivas USA |
25,218
|
|
11/5
|
Real Salt Lake-Crew |
10,109
|
|
11/7
|
Revolution-Fire |
21,528
|
|
11/8
|
Sounders FC-Dynamo |
27,465
|
|
11/8
|
Chivas USA-Galaxy |
27,000
|
|
11/13
|
Dynamo-Galaxy |
25,373
|
|
11/14
|
Real Salt Lake-Fire |
21,723
|
|
11/22
|
MLS Cup: Real Salt Lake-Galaxy** |
46,011
|
|
TOTAL
|
259,149
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NOTES: * = MLS switched to an 11-game playoff format in '03. ** = MLS Cup took place at Qwest Field in Seattle.
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