Do you have this in tweed?
May 30 - 2007
When Alexi Lalas was handed the keys to the Metrostars, I remember thinking, “Good for him, but I doubt he’ll cut it as a suit.” Well doubt no more - the guy makes David Stern look like Timothy Leary. He is a poster child for suitdom, a shining example of suitness.
This past week, Lalas has been extra loose with the MBA-speak. First, in response to the Beckham recall, Lalas was quoted as saying
Inspiring stuff. The blatant concern not for the Galaxy’s position in the table, or the health of their star, but for “selling the team” is a thing to behold. FIFA, then, were justly concerned that Lalas’s comments may have violated statutes regarding release of players for international duty. Â
And if that weren’t enough, Lalas had a go at relegation as well:
“Because we are a business,” Lalas replied, “and in order to attract new business and new ownership to an already very powerful and excited ownership group that we have, we need to make sure that when they come into the league, that they’re going to stay in the league…It’s a very foreign concept to sports in the United States.”
Welcome to the Soccernista Shit-List (if such a thing exists), Alexi. When you maneuvered your way back behind the curtain, I assumed you’d want to be a force for change, a voice of soccer reason. Turns out you are only too willing to align your influence with forces desperate to maintain status quo and eliminate risk.
Relegation is too foreign for Americans; just like soccer. Get thee to a business class, Lalas, and learn something about product differentiation. Making this league like every other American franchise-league won’t attract any new fans, and will only turn off fans who live in America but choose to watch foreign leagues.  But we’ve been through that, haven’t we…
The more Lalas opens his mouth the more I think his beard and hair were a marketing tool as a player and not any evidence of a free spirit.
I followed EPL all season from the United States and the most interesting stretch was when the team I choose to root for, Man City, flirted with relegation. Mid-table teams flirt with Euro club competition, low-table teams flirt with relegation, high-table teams flirt with Champions league. There is always something going on with your club or the opposition and it makes the games meaningful to watch - unlike the odd Real Salt Lake vs. Chivas game.
And if Lalas truly believes relegation is too foreign then maybe he should tell the MLS not to name teams Real This and Chivas That.
Most big backs are dopes and Lalas is exhibit A.
Comment by joejoejoe — May 30, 2007 @ 3:20 am
I guess the most exciting moment of the season was when the team I support - Fulham - flirted with relegation, too. While it was exciting, and I came a little when Dempsey scored against Liverpool, it was an experience that I could live without for the next few years.
Oh yeah, Lalas is a douche.
Comment by Nordy — May 30, 2007 @ 9:47 am
I’m sorry, but we need to put an end to all the American relegation talk. As soccer fans, we can all agree it works perfectly overseas, and adds another storyline to the season, but it just won’t work here and would absolutely serve as the final bullet in the head of MLS.
Outside of Rochester, no lower league team is going to pull MLS numbers (which is saying something considering where that attendance bar is set). Sorry, but all these smaller teams simply won’t be able to compete. It’s nothing like it is in England. Granted, these teams might occasionally get a scalp in the US Cup, but that’s a one-and-done.
Maybe somewhere down the line, after the league is actually making a steady profit, year after year, that idea could be broached. But, would you really expect it from the same entity that insists on using divisions & conferences in lieu of a flat table format?
Comment by Scott — May 30, 2007 @ 10:36 am
You know what else seems too foreign to the US?
Making good soccer decisions. Let’s make sure we keep that one going.
Comment by JP — May 30, 2007 @ 11:09 am
Swing and a miss, Scott. I think the potential of moving up to MLS would draw quite a few more people to Thunder matches. Outside of that, they’ll still have their core group of fans and occasional trips from suburban soccer leagues. And all fans, soccer and non-soccer, will continue to ignore the MLS.
Comment by Ben — May 30, 2007 @ 1:26 pm
Relegation is not the answer. I can’t comprehend how/why people think this is going to bring in fans. People are NOT going to take to the sport (or ANY sport) or the league simply because there is a chance their team might be playing in a better/crappier league the next season.
It’s an asinine argument. The most important changes that will make the biggest impact have to take place on the field, not in the standings.
Comment by Scott — May 30, 2007 @ 2:47 pm
I think that if the relegation system were introduced, it would bring in a decent bit more attendance to the USL teams. It would definitely give me a reason to give a crap about the Silverbacks. It’s not something that’s going to immediately pack stands around the country but, over many years, it would build a much broader fanbase.
Comment by Not That Scott — May 30, 2007 @ 5:13 pm
Well there are only two identities possible for “Scott” the mystery MLS brainwashed post-er. Scratch that three.
Either you are Don Garber, Clint Mathis or Richard Motzkin (Adu’s agent).
Don doesn’t want to lose the old seat and all the douche investors who would obviously pull out when Real Salt Lake and Columbus take a hike. Same goes for Adu’s agent.
He also could be Clint who is rather happy with taking his guaranteed salary and coming off the bench for a piss poor team. As long as there is single entity…fat, burn outs like Clint will remain in the league.
Comment by Carlos — May 30, 2007 @ 5:58 pm
how aboot a relegation tournement. The bottom three teams in the MLS play the top three teams in the USL, top 3 go to MLS, that way the MLS teams can stay in the MLS (hopefully the team is good enough to maintain the considerable gap of skill between the two leagues) and USL Teams/Fans get the thrill of cinderella crashing the ball. Then when the level of play increases we can build on the relegation system and will have at least some experience. plus we get a champions league-esque experience (not quite as glamorous or as pretty but still better then nothing)
Comment by Trevor — May 30, 2007 @ 11:15 pm
*blank stare*
*shaking my head slowly*
And if the product on the field remains the same?
*sigh*
Forget it. I give up.
Comment by Scott — May 31, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
your right scott im stupid that is the most important thing, but im kinda hoping that will happen.
Comment by Trevor — May 31, 2007 @ 11:03 pm
Do any of us really benefit from having MLS teams that, no matter what, will be in the league next year? Unless it’s some type of security blanket, or you’re an owner, I can’t see it mattering much; if the Galaxy were relegated they’d play the Whitecaps instead of the Red Bulls.
So I can’t see relegation causing MLS teams to lose a single fan. Gain fans? Possibly.
So all that’s left is protecting the investment of folks like Stan Kroenke, to which I say: People without millions of dollars should spend less time worrying about people with millions of dollars.
Comment by garth — June 1, 2007 @ 10:36 am
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