@@MLSMoves A massive NO from me. MLS MUST keep the status quo for all warm weather play. I WILL WANT to be showing up without frostbite. This is an instant death knell for the league & for me, it's a fatal deal breaker with both it & Apple. Boycotts will be increasingly fervent due specifically to the popularity of the NFL, NBA & NHL with NCAA & U Sports events taking place through the winter.
Hell no! Must be nice to live in a state with relatively warm weather in the winter. Look at the Fire, in March and April attendance was less than 8k, but in the summer it was over 21k, despite being a shit team.
No way. It would be fine for clubs who play in warmer climates but for the Canadian teams it would be hell. I'm also not trying to freeze to death every match day. I love MLS playing in the summer because I get to watch soccer year round, with Europe playing in the winter and MLS in the summer. I don't want that gap. There is also the problem of us copying Europe instead of building our own identity. MLS is naming clubs "FC" even though it's called soccer in the US. We are the United States, not Europe.
I agree so much. I’ve been saying this for a while now that the long MLS off season hurts the teams that don’t make the playoffs (let alone reach the final). There are many national team coaches who don’t want their players to play in the MLS because that long off season will deteriorate the players performance. It would help the league with the August transfer window if the season was lined up with the European leagues, as mentioned in the video. I do think that it’s best for the MLS to respect the international break and not have games going on during that week. And switching the season means that you don’t have those awkward moments when the MLS is halfway through the season but many of the teams key players are instead playing for their national team during that time. I think it’s also a good idea if leagues cup was a preseason summer tournament instead of pausing league play halfway through the season for a month. I can also see the USL therefore also shifting their schedule from autumn to spring, and I also believe that it could help the US Open Cup having it periodically from the autumn through spring (just how other countries do for their own domestic cup competitions).
I would also like to mention that, that in the Northern States we could play games around 3pm. There is a big difference between "Day Time" vs "Night Time" temperature. I do feel there is tad bit of over-reaction. However, I am sold. You have made me believe this will work.
As someone who is willing to wake up at 6am to watch EPL games, I think this would be SO much better. Saturday games will be apart of a full day of sports watching, slots right in.
@@AmbushRL.while I agree with you on this, during the summertime you already have international tournaments happening. Therefore I don’t believe it’s as much of an issue as it sounds. And players who play for their national teams don’t have to miss a game for their club.
I would also like to add that if CONCACAF is going to maintain the Gold Cup in the odd-numbered years without the World Cup or Copa America, the Fall to Spring calendar will greatly accommodate all those in their respective national teams, not just the US. This will lead to a strong likelihood the USMNT will see action every summer, thus drawing away attention from MLS. I mean as much as I would actually love to be at the July 4th El Trafico at the Rose Bowl, the fact that regular season game was shoehorned into the middle of the concurring Euros and Copa rendered the El Trafico as a bad attention grab considering the game did not contain the high level players that the major tournaments did. With the calendar change, MLS teams, especially those up north, can book more friendlies against European clubs in the later summer that precedes the regular season to compensate for any reduced revenue caused by the extended cold temperature matchdays that would be 'smart-scheduled' in the south. What this will ultimately lead to is the MLS Cup final being played on Memorial Day weekend, that rare time of year where it is neither too cold nor hot anywhere, and coincides with the end of the club season in most of the world.
I agree that the change to the European calendar will do wonders for the league long term. Teams won’t lose their best players mid season to the extent they do now, and it will be much easier to bring better players to MLS during the summer. Weather can be managed, and viewership point is 100% right. MLS already competes with these major American sports during the playoffs! Might see some challenges the first and second year but will be much better. I do wonder how this will impact Leagues Cup since MLS seems so intent on doing that. Might have to switch the format and play it year round or just get rid of it
100% agree with you even MORE now after this vdeo that MLS should switch to a European Calendar. I feel like the benefits will be even more than what we could have imagined
Some MLS fans believe that we are in the United Kingdom, Spain or Germany. This is North America, and changing the MLS calendar to fall and winter means competing DIRECTLY against college football on Saturdays and NFL on Sundays. Later, in such a calendar, MLS will also compete with the NBA where fans can go to get live sports without being in the elements of the cold. All this adds to MLS having a lower ceiling of potential. Meaning, not NEARLY as many fans looking for something to watch live or on TV as during the current calendar. The current calendar has been in place since the existence of MLS and for good reason. Many college football, NFL, and NBA fans are looking for an alternative to baseball. MLB is nowhere near what it was even 30 years ago. MLS therefore, has a much higher ceiling of potential new fans looking for a baseball alternative during the summer and to switch from that is a perilous move.
Despite of being a small country, we in Austria have - as the USA - a wide range of temperatures. A continential climate, with hot summers and very cold Alpine winters. We decided to play in August, September, October, November, December, Febuary, March, April and May. January is winter break. June and July are off season.
I am from Romania and the country's domestic league(Superliga) runs on an autumn/spring format.I watch the top 5 domestic league in Europe.For me, June and July are the worst months of the year because there are no football matches on TV, in years when there are no European and World Championship final tournaments.
Everyone complaining about it being too cold for a soccer game, realize that the MLS season already begins in late February when it’s still cold. If a team in a “cold area” reaches the MLS Cup final, chances are that the game is going to be played in a cold environment. I recall the 2013 final when Sporting Kansas City hosted Real Salt Lake. It was cold but it didn’t deter fans from showing up for that game. And I also recall the very first game Minnesota United played at home. It was a game played in the snow, but the fans still showed up to support their team. And as mentioned in the video, you can have a short winter break from mid December to late January, which is what most of the European leagues do already.
They are taking games from the most appealing time to attend an outdoor event and placing them in the worst time. Starting the season opposite football removes any national buzz. Placing the bulk of the regular season, which already has issues of relevance due to the number of teams that make the playoffs, in bad weather will only further incentivize people to just check-in around the playoffs. When the weather does improve in the bulk of North America, the schedule thins out as the playoffs arrive. Please tell me who benefits from this? It is bad for fans. It is bad for national reach. Playing in sub-freezing temperatures is bad for the players. Americans, those from both North and South America as they make up the bulk of the players, have experience playing in heat. They don't "suffer" in 75 degree heat waves like in Europe. Running around in -10 to 10 degree wind chills is bad for anyone.
@@benoitwaffle5439 a huge chunk of South American players are in the European market. They’re already used to playing in cold weather conditions. And as I already mentioned, the season already begins in the winter months. I’ve said this in another comment but you can easily have a winter break from mid December to the end of January (which is what most of the European leagues do), and it will help out. The current MLS season does a huge disservice for the players who play for their national teams, as the league is in the middle of the season when international tournaments are happening and they’re not there to help out their club. You’d also have more players interested in playing in the MLS if the season lined up with everyone else. Also there will be troubled weather conditions no matter when MLS decides to have its schedule. We talk about how cold it is in places like Minnesota or New England, we don’t talk about how hot and humid it is to play in places such as Texas and Florida under the current schedule.
@@HamzaInCali If you move the calendar, and keep the playoffs, you are moving 20 or so games from the best weather period to the worst. Fans who are handed a schedule and asked to buy season tickets, they know the weather in their area. Why would they buy tickets to games where they know they aren't going to want to be outside for hours at a time? Players who currently might play a bad weather game in the playoffs or late February/early March now will see the bulk of the schedule in that weather now. Is that going to make MLS more or less appealing? MLS plays through international windows because it creates a congested window for available game days. They are still going to be playing through those fall and spring windows. So the difference is the handful of players whose national teams are in the knockout stage of tournaments when MLS returns in the summer? You think that changes decisions, as opposed to money. The vast majority of the South Americans playing in MLS have not played in cold weather countries prior to coming here. You know why we don't talk about heat and humidity, because baseball gets played in it, tennis gets played in it, golf gets played in it, pickup basketball gets played in it, football training camps operate in it, boxing cards get fought in it, outdoor concerts get played in it, and soccer across North America has played in it for decades (across youth, club, and international levels). Australia plays its league through its summer, which is just as extreme as Texas and Florida. People outdoor sports in the summer. They attend outdoor sports in the summer.
Such a slap in the face to Season ticket holders. I will not pay a premium to sit in the cold to watch a game. This will kill attendance. As for taking a winter break, Wednesday night games attendance are a fraction of what Saturdays are. The break will require more midweek games that already don’t sell out. I have to drive an hour and 40 minutes to watch Nashville games. I think people don’t understand how many people travel significantly for these games. We will never be regarded as a “serious league” to the rest of the world. We are a farmers league and that is the direction we are moving as fast as possible in. The new 3 U22 rule is why I can say that. “Serious Leagues” are buyers not farmers. Also, this wouldn’t be the first time MLS floats an unpopular idea to see what kind of uproar the fans make. I doubt they are serious about this. Garber floats crap like this all the time (ex. Pulling out of US Open Cup). Fans didn’t react as poorly as expected so he actually did it. Obviously we care now that it is not the whole league participating.
Calm down. It's not that serious. But I agree with you. The weather is a huge issue in this country. I think the only reason they want to do it is so they can participate in more international tournaments. But the weather is a huge problem. Like you so eloquently said, it will be hell on most fans.
@@stevenygabbyperez695 I spend a significant amount of money every year to support NSC. I already can’t go to every game. I don’t want to go to less because we condense the schedule more with the winter break.
@@jeremyferrufino6849 they don’t play many home games in the summer months. If they do it’s a night game. Still it’s 90-80s with humidity. I’ll take that over 30s and 40s.
Your point regarding the number of matches and the length of the quality is confusing. Especially since we're in an era where a player plays so many games, and it keeps increasing. I rather have the four and half month break because it allows players to rest and focus on their own lives.
Believe it or not, there are many national team coaches who take issue with their players if they play for a club in the MLS because of the long offseason a player will have if their team doesn’t reach the playoffs. For many of them that’s too long of a stretch for them not to be playing in a competitive game.
I am from Romania and the country's domestic league(Superliga) runs on an autumn/spring format.I watch the top 5 domestic league in Europe.For me, June and July are the worst months of the year because there are no football matches on TV, in years when there are no European and World Championship final tournaments.
Impossible to have games in Montréal in december, january, february and march. I don't think People will be interested to stay 3 hours sit down outside at -10, -15 degrees. The only way it could work is only if Montreal, Toronto, Minnesota or other nothern city have alternatives indoor stadium to play 4-5 games...
@@MLSMoves Montréal 1st home games this year was mid-april. They played 6 road games to start the season...with this proposition we talk about 10 winters games minimum for Montreal and Toronto.
Of course, it probably depends on what the difference would be in the media rights deals between the two calendars. Most clubs lose money. Broadcasters might have a problem if the MLS decided to go head up with the NFL and college football. I'm sure they'll have a say. Also, bro the February and March games are already insane in places like Utah. You're basically requiring domed stadia for cold weather cities with the proposed schedule (there's a reason why there's so many of those in other sports.) Edit: I also think that playing in the summer helps attract players who are getting older but want to keep their options open for a return to the better leagues. A nice paycheck and if a team from Europe comes calling, he can still transfer before those leagues start. If the schedules are the same I think only the truly washed players will come.
An Aug-May schedule is workable in the US if managed right, it has it's pros and it's cons, it does help clubs do business early in the season (not much happens in the January window really, mainly loans and little tweaks, a few years ago SkySports did a January deadline special tv show where almost nothing happened making it almost pointless) and with the weather I think you should have a winter break (like the Bundesliga does) and have the likes of Minnesota or the Canadian teams play away games in Nov/Dec, etc, my point is its manageable, it might actually work, if not they could always go back, it's at least worth trying it out, I also hope if they do they don't play during international breaks and line that up with the rest of the world too
I live in the north. It gets very cold here during the winter months. If MLS switches to a European schedule I will continue to watch on television but I will give up my season tickets and no longer attend games. Sorry, but sitting outdoors in snowy -10° weather doesn't work for me.
@@MLSMoves I know that there are Northern European leagues that take winter breaks. But I like week to week continuity with breaks only for the international calendar. I think I would lose interest if there were winter breaks for weeks at a time. I could see myself simply staying home and watching the EPL instead. If MLS wants to imitate the European calendar then perhaps it would simply be better for American fans to simply switch to watching the European leagues.
@@MLSMoves February is still pretty cold. People show up for the home opener in Toronto but then attendance is abysmal up until about mid May when it starts getting nice. It doesn't suddenly get warmer when it becomes february, we've had snowstorms as late as may before. Especially if we get freezing rain which is more common in the fall it could be problematic, because then you are really putting players and fans in a lot of danger.
@@sobbs2283 It is also the change in the volume of games in bad weather. If you assume the playoff structure remains such that it lasts 7 weeks, then you are moving around 20 games from the months of May, June, and July and placing them in November, December, and February. I assume the Leagues Cup stays where it is regardless, but still. Now, for the teams making a playoff run, those games in May might be really nice days, but there are fewer such games in that weather out of the entire inventory of games. Fans who are given a schedule and asked whether they want to buy season tickets are going to know what the weather is like when it is pitch black at 6 or 7pm in November and December in Toronto, Minneapolis, KC, Chicago, Boston, NYC, etc. There is an assumption of fan ignorance or stupidity that just boggles the mind.
I'm okay with it. USA needs a winter break though. The north teams need to figure out a way to deal with snow and rain. Other than that why not? Teams are sustainable enough to deal with the switch.
Your reasons for a European Season are spot on. It will be rough in New York, New England, Colorado, Minnesota, Chicago, Portland, and Seattle. But my team is St. Louis City, so we can play no problem
Big thing for me isn't competing with other sports on television because what MLS needs is soccer fans anyway, not football/basketball/baseball fans who occasionally watch soccer. That said, the big thing for me is live attendance, particularly from youngsters, I'm talking school aged kid. They are the future. The 9 year old kids who don't have a favorite sports team yet. Let's face it, 30 year olds in this country already have a favorite sports team whether that's football, basketball, or whatever. But if that 9 year old can go to an MLS game live, they might fall in love with LAFC over the LA Rams for example. So if you change the schedule to an August-May format, you're stopping your games as soon as the kids go on summer vacation. So if I'm a 9 year old soccer fan and can't go to a game live and can only watch on TV, I'd might as well watch the best soccer available, ie. the Premier League... so by changing the calendar, now you've given this 9yo kid every reason to watch Manchester City over LAFC and that's not good for the league in the long run
also, that sort of becomes a two-for-one argument with the people who cite weather as an issue. Live soccer in the hot summer months is better than live soccer in the cold winter months. When the kids go on WINTER vacation in December, their parents might prefer to keep them home and watch the NFL games on TV instead of taking them to the MLS games live...
@@gbanuelos01kids got to NFL games, among other games during all types of weather and during school year. August is still in summer last time I checked as well.
I think all the points that you made are valid and I think the pros outweigh the cons. They could potentially do leagues cup mid January to mid February and basically keep it as a midseason tournament. Maybe more of an incentive to host in warmer cities, including Mexico.
Lets mls , do something like this if you qualify for mls play off you should not play league cup , those who did not qualify should play it , just like champions League, and Europe league
That the NHL has games while the Ice Hockey World Cup I find arrogant (and maybe too short-sightedly thought). But hey, the NHL is more prosperous than the IIHF World Cup. That the MLS has games while the FIFA World Cup sounds absurd for me as European. No European League - small or big - will ever do this.
Overall soccer tv ratings in the US isnt very strong plus fandom and ratings are fractured, the largest is supposed to be mexico but they have no english media presence
I have kinda changed my mind on competing with football cuz I’ve noticed myself doing that this year where I’ll pick good college football matchups over MLS. I’m down here in Texas so I don’t think I can really speak to the norther winters so that may be a real concern I just don’t know how long it lasts up there. Anyone know what the transition season would look like? Would it just be an extra long offseason the year of the World Cup? So like wrap up regular season in October 2025, then not play club games till August 2026?
I like the schedule. Future ideas...All new stadiums for the north states should be domes or closed stadiums, so weather won't be an issue. Second idea. North states play most games in beginning and end of the season.
That makes no sense. No team in the North would want to do that. That would just lead to schedule congestion and a large gap in the middle of the season. Just keep it the way it is.
@@MLSMoves US open cup can be spread across the entire season. It's better to just have that cup so we don't have a situation where the leagues best players miss 10 games due to Copa America.
No way this works, Colorado, RSL, and Minnesota, all Canadian teams, wouldn't work very well. Why give up revenue for summer games, with no one in stands for most winter games. Doesnt make sense
Please beware that Nelson Rodriguez is behind this proposal. If you don't know who he is, let me put it this way: if you think Don Garber is an appealing chairman, Nelson Rodriguez would make Don Garber as the most likeable chairman that ever existed.
And they should stop playing all the match at the same time, any list play some on Wednesday play some Friday Saturday and Sunday, so fans can watch other matches
I actually like it as it is but they need the fifa break. When European games are off its actually great to have MLS sooo its basically the only soccer to watch. MLS does not compete with other american sports thats not the goal. The american sports don’t compete each either way. What needed is Fifa breaks
I like it start the season the last week of July and take a winter break around the 2nd week of December and start again the last week of February and end season in may
@@MLSMoves it wasn’t enjoyable…. I’ve been a season ticket holder for 13 year. Those early spring games are hell. Not sure where you’re from, but unless you’re from one of the colder markets, you won’t understand… it’s not fun being there, freezing your a** off.
Hell yea this a good idea liga mx always benefits in CCL srew the chimichanga cup(league cups) they don’t even take seriously our player be active for the ccl can really help mls win more titles and more spot in Club World Cup which means more respect from the world
naaa, i don't want the league to switch...i like the schedule the way it is...let's stop comparing MLS with Europe..let's be innovators and not duplicators...if it works here...leave it alone...if MLS starts to dominate in the future, maybe the others will change to our schedule...after all, MLS clubs are starting to become the most valuable clubs (as far as money goes)...if MLS raise the salary cap, the players will come...
@@MLSMoves I really don't watch the Bundesliga. Some of the reason for that is because I already watch and follow MLS, EPL, and UCL and don't really have the time to watch and follow another league. But that winter break is also a contributing factor as to why I don't follow the Bundesliga.
Yo the coldest game in history for the Fire was on March 18 2023 at 19 degrees F. Yes, the NFL play in similar temps in the Winter, but players wear pants, and hand wamer pouches. Also NFL stadiums use heaters to keep the field clear of snow and ice, and to keep players and fans warm. MLS doesnt. Bro I dare you to sit at a full game at 19F degrees without any heaters in Feb and let me know it goes. Texas teams play in the evenings when the raging sun in the summer is not raging anymore.
@@MLSMoves Competing with the NFL, NHL and NBA will hurt as its a very busy time. Right now MLS only competes with Baseball. Cold weather cities will see attendance fall hard unless they all go domes as the temperatures in those cities will keep people out from games. There will be alot more Snow games. We do not have to be like Europe. What is happening is working just fine and the league is growing.
@@MLSMoves 1. Competing with the NFL, NBA and NHL is a terrible idea. 2. I'm not going to matches when i'm freezing my ass off, and I'm from DC. I don't even want to think about what the Canadians would go through. 3. I like the ability to watch soccer year round.
Should MLS change it's calendar?
Yes 100%
@@MLSMoves A massive NO from me. MLS MUST keep the status quo for all warm weather play. I WILL WANT to be showing up without frostbite. This is an instant death knell for the league & for me, it's a fatal deal breaker with both it & Apple. Boycotts will be increasingly fervent due specifically to the popularity of the NFL, NBA & NHL with NCAA & U Sports events taking place through the winter.
Hell no! Must be nice to live in a state with relatively warm weather in the winter. Look at the Fire, in March and April attendance was less than 8k, but in the summer it was over 21k, despite being a shit team.
Oh hell NO! Why would we want to play during the bad weather? Even more so for midwest and Canadian teams?
No way. It would be fine for clubs who play in warmer climates but for the Canadian teams it would be hell. I'm also not trying to freeze to death every match day. I love MLS playing in the summer because I get to watch soccer year round, with Europe playing in the winter and MLS in the summer. I don't want that gap. There is also the problem of us copying Europe instead of building our own identity. MLS is naming clubs "FC" even though it's called soccer in the US. We are the United States, not Europe.
I agree so much. I’ve been saying this for a while now that the long MLS off season hurts the teams that don’t make the playoffs (let alone reach the final). There are many national team coaches who don’t want their players to play in the MLS because that long off season will deteriorate the players performance.
It would help the league with the August transfer window if the season was lined up with the European leagues, as mentioned in the video.
I do think that it’s best for the MLS to respect the international break and not have games going on during that week. And switching the season means that you don’t have those awkward moments when the MLS is halfway through the season but many of the teams key players are instead playing for their national team during that time.
I think it’s also a good idea if leagues cup was a preseason summer tournament instead of pausing league play halfway through the season for a month. I can also see the USL therefore also shifting their schedule from autumn to spring, and I also believe that it could help the US Open Cup having it periodically from the autumn through spring (just how other countries do for their own domestic cup competitions).
I would also like to mention that, that in the Northern States we could play games around 3pm. There is a big difference between "Day Time" vs "Night Time" temperature. I do feel there is tad bit of over-reaction. However, I am sold. You have made me believe this will work.
Northern states maybe that would work, but Canada?
@@AmbushRL. It won't work in northern states either.
As someone who is willing to wake up at 6am to watch EPL games, I think this would be SO much better. Saturday games will be apart of a full day of sports watching, slots right in.
Idk, just think about summer with no matches, not even MLS.
@@AmbushRL.while I agree with you on this, during the summertime you already have international tournaments happening. Therefore I don’t believe it’s as much of an issue as it sounds. And players who play for their national teams don’t have to miss a game for their club.
@@HamzaInCali MLS can put the league on pause during international tournament. Of course they don't because of greed, but it's a possibility.
I would also like to add that if CONCACAF is going to maintain the Gold Cup in the odd-numbered years without the World Cup or Copa America, the Fall to Spring calendar will greatly accommodate all those in their respective national teams, not just the US. This will lead to a strong likelihood the USMNT will see action every summer, thus drawing away attention from MLS.
I mean as much as I would actually love to be at the July 4th El Trafico at the Rose Bowl, the fact that regular season game was shoehorned into the middle of the concurring Euros and Copa rendered the El Trafico as a bad attention grab considering the game did not contain the high level players that the major tournaments did.
With the calendar change, MLS teams, especially those up north, can book more friendlies against European clubs in the later summer that precedes the regular season to compensate for any reduced revenue caused by the extended cold temperature matchdays that would be 'smart-scheduled' in the south.
What this will ultimately lead to is the MLS Cup final being played on Memorial Day weekend, that rare time of year where it is neither too cold nor hot anywhere, and coincides with the end of the club season in most of the world.
Give the new schedule a shot for a couple of seasons, if it doesn’t work out we can always change it
I agree with everything from this video 🎉
Everything should be structured for MLS as stated in this video :) 🎉
I agree that the change to the European calendar will do wonders for the league long term. Teams won’t lose their best players mid season to the extent they do now, and it will be much easier to bring better players to MLS during the summer. Weather can be managed, and viewership point is 100% right. MLS already competes with these major American sports during the playoffs! Might see some challenges the first and second year but will be much better. I do wonder how this will impact Leagues Cup since MLS seems so intent on doing that. Might have to switch the format and play it year round or just get rid of it
I think Leagues Cub would be a good winter break tournament played in pods or during the summer when they’re in the offseason
@@MLSMoves TThe Leagues Cup should be played in the summer, so that people can watch soccer matches during that season as well.
Just do a 6 week winter break.
100% agree with you even MORE now after this vdeo that MLS should switch to a European Calendar. I feel like the benefits will be even more than what we could have imagined
Some MLS fans believe that we are in the United Kingdom, Spain or Germany.
This is North America, and changing the MLS calendar to fall and winter means competing DIRECTLY against college football on Saturdays and NFL on Sundays.
Later, in such a calendar, MLS will also compete with the NBA where fans can go to get live sports without being in the elements of the cold.
All this adds to MLS having a lower ceiling of potential. Meaning, not NEARLY as many fans looking for something to watch live or on TV as during the current calendar.
The current calendar has been in place since the existence of MLS and for good reason.
Many college football, NFL, and NBA fans are looking for an alternative to baseball. MLB is nowhere near what it was even 30 years ago.
MLS therefore, has a much higher ceiling of potential new fans looking for a baseball alternative during the summer and to switch from that is a perilous move.
Despite of being a small country, we in Austria have - as the USA - a wide range of temperatures. A continential climate, with hot summers and very cold Alpine winters. We decided to play in August, September, October, November, December, Febuary, March, April and May. January is winter break. June and July are off season.
Many counties do it
I am from Romania and the country's domestic league(Superliga) runs on an autumn/spring format.I watch the top 5 domestic league in Europe.For me, June and July are the worst months of the year because there are no football matches on TV, in years when there are no European and World Championship final tournaments.
As a galaxy fan I'd miss the 4th of July game but I would love a Thanksgiving games
Everyone complaining about it being too cold for a soccer game, realize that the MLS season already begins in late February when it’s still cold. If a team in a “cold area” reaches the MLS Cup final, chances are that the game is going to be played in a cold environment. I recall the 2013 final when Sporting Kansas City hosted Real Salt Lake. It was cold but it didn’t deter fans from showing up for that game. And I also recall the very first game Minnesota United played at home. It was a game played in the snow, but the fans still showed up to support their team.
And as mentioned in the video, you can have a short winter break from mid December to late January, which is what most of the European leagues do already.
They are taking games from the most appealing time to attend an outdoor event and placing them in the worst time. Starting the season opposite football removes any national buzz. Placing the bulk of the regular season, which already has issues of relevance due to the number of teams that make the playoffs, in bad weather will only further incentivize people to just check-in around the playoffs. When the weather does improve in the bulk of North America, the schedule thins out as the playoffs arrive. Please tell me who benefits from this? It is bad for fans. It is bad for national reach. Playing in sub-freezing temperatures is bad for the players. Americans, those from both North and South America as they make up the bulk of the players, have experience playing in heat. They don't "suffer" in 75 degree heat waves like in Europe. Running around in -10 to 10 degree wind chills is bad for anyone.
@@benoitwaffle5439 a huge chunk of South American players are in the European market. They’re already used to playing in cold weather conditions. And as I already mentioned, the season already begins in the winter months. I’ve said this in another comment but you can easily have a winter break from mid December to the end of January (which is what most of the European leagues do), and it will help out.
The current MLS season does a huge disservice for the players who play for their national teams, as the league is in the middle of the season when international tournaments are happening and they’re not there to help out their club. You’d also have more players interested in playing in the MLS if the season lined up with everyone else.
Also there will be troubled weather conditions no matter when MLS decides to have its schedule. We talk about how cold it is in places like Minnesota or New England, we don’t talk about how hot and humid it is to play in places such as Texas and Florida under the current schedule.
@@HamzaInCali If you move the calendar, and keep the playoffs, you are moving 20 or so games from the best weather period to the worst. Fans who are handed a schedule and asked to buy season tickets, they know the weather in their area. Why would they buy tickets to games where they know they aren't going to want to be outside for hours at a time? Players who currently might play a bad weather game in the playoffs or late February/early March now will see the bulk of the schedule in that weather now. Is that going to make MLS more or less appealing?
MLS plays through international windows because it creates a congested window for available game days. They are still going to be playing through those fall and spring windows. So the difference is the handful of players whose national teams are in the knockout stage of tournaments when MLS returns in the summer? You think that changes decisions, as opposed to money.
The vast majority of the South Americans playing in MLS have not played in cold weather countries prior to coming here.
You know why we don't talk about heat and humidity, because baseball gets played in it, tennis gets played in it, golf gets played in it, pickup basketball gets played in it, football training camps operate in it, boxing cards get fought in it, outdoor concerts get played in it, and soccer across North America has played in it for decades (across youth, club, and international levels). Australia plays its league through its summer, which is just as extreme as Texas and Florida. People outdoor sports in the summer. They attend outdoor sports in the summer.
Such a slap in the face to Season ticket holders. I will not pay a premium to sit in the cold to watch a game. This will kill attendance. As for taking a winter break, Wednesday night games attendance are a fraction of what Saturdays are. The break will require more midweek games that already don’t sell out. I have to drive an hour and 40 minutes to watch Nashville games. I think people don’t understand how many people travel significantly for these games.
We will never be regarded as a “serious league” to the rest of the world. We are a farmers league and that is the direction we are moving as fast as possible in. The new 3 U22 rule is why I can say that. “Serious Leagues” are buyers not farmers.
Also, this wouldn’t be the first time MLS floats an unpopular idea to see what kind of uproar the fans make. I doubt they are serious about this. Garber floats crap like this all the time (ex. Pulling out of US Open Cup). Fans didn’t react as poorly as expected so he actually did it. Obviously we care now that it is not the whole league participating.
Calm down. It's not that serious. But I agree with you. The weather is a huge issue in this country. I think the only reason they want to do it is so they can participate in more international tournaments. But the weather is a huge problem. Like you so eloquently said, it will be hell on most fans.
@@stevenygabbyperez695 I spend a significant amount of money every year to support NSC. I already can’t go to every game. I don’t want to go to less because we condense the schedule more with the winter break.
@@LlamaVomit I will, I always could put on layers but I can’t take them off. It gets hot as hell in DC, can’t imagine in the south.
@@jeremyferrufino6849 they don’t play many home games in the summer months. If they do it’s a night game. Still it’s 90-80s with humidity. I’ll take that over 30s and 40s.
@@LlamaVomit honestly im like the opposite of you. Even at night and plus the humidity, bruh but either way I’d still go to games.
Your point regarding the number of matches and the length of the quality is confusing. Especially since we're in an era where a player plays so many games, and it keeps increasing. I rather have the four and half month break because it allows players to rest and focus on their own lives.
Believe it or not, there are many national team coaches who take issue with their players if they play for a club in the MLS because of the long offseason a player will have if their team doesn’t reach the playoffs. For many of them that’s too long of a stretch for them not to be playing in a competitive game.
I am from Romania and the country's domestic league(Superliga) runs on an autumn/spring format.I watch the top 5 domestic league in Europe.For me, June and July are the worst months of the year because there are no football matches on TV, in years when there are no European and World Championship final tournaments.
The 10-year Apple TV deal is why MLS can tinker with the schedule (in part).
How does it work tho ? If they change it, do they just cut the current season into half ?
Impossible to have games in Montréal in december, january, february and march. I don't think People will be interested to stay 3 hours sit down outside at -10, -15 degrees. The only way it could work is only if Montreal, Toronto, Minnesota or other nothern city have alternatives indoor stadium to play 4-5 games...
Did you listen to the video? There won’t be games from mid December-January.
The MLS regular season already starts in February…
@@MLSMoves Montréal 1st home games this year was mid-april. They played 6 road games to start the season...with this proposition we talk about 10 winters games minimum for Montreal and Toronto.
@@lucdussault1189 💯
@@MLSMoves It's still terribly cold in February for Canadians. It's even cold down where I live near DC.
@@AmbushRL. They already play in February and March
I wouldn’t have any problem with it 👍🏼
DUDE! 😳
MLS makin' moves.
About frickin' time. 🤔
Of course, it probably depends on what the difference would be in the media rights deals between the two calendars. Most clubs lose money. Broadcasters might have a problem if the MLS decided to go head up with the NFL and college football. I'm sure they'll have a say.
Also, bro the February and March games are already insane in places like Utah. You're basically requiring domed stadia for cold weather cities with the proposed schedule (there's a reason why there's so many of those in other sports.)
Edit: I also think that playing in the summer helps attract players who are getting older but want to keep their options open for a return to the better leagues. A nice paycheck and if a team from Europe comes calling, he can still transfer before those leagues start. If the schedules are the same I think only the truly washed players will come.
@3:03 you forgot to mention Caitlin Clark is on right now also. That’s actually drawing huge viewership. (notice I didn’t say wnba)
Nobody is gonna to watch a MLs game based in the west coast at 11pm ET...
An Aug-May schedule is workable in the US if managed right, it has it's pros and it's cons, it does help clubs do business early in the season (not much happens in the January window really, mainly loans and little tweaks, a few years ago SkySports did a January deadline special tv show where almost nothing happened making it almost pointless) and with the weather I think you should have a winter break (like the Bundesliga does) and have the likes of Minnesota or the Canadian teams play away games in Nov/Dec, etc, my point is its manageable, it might actually work, if not they could always go back, it's at least worth trying it out, I also hope if they do they don't play during international breaks and line that up with the rest of the world too
I live in the north. It gets very cold here during the winter months. If MLS switches to a European schedule I will continue to watch on television but I will give up my season tickets and no longer attend games. Sorry, but sitting outdoors in snowy -10° weather doesn't work for me.
Why would you give up your season tickets if they break from mid December and all of January?
@@MLSMoves I know that there are Northern European leagues that take winter breaks. But I like week to week continuity with breaks only for the international calendar. I think I would lose interest if there were winter breaks for weeks at a time. I could see myself simply staying home and watching the EPL instead. If MLS wants to imitate the European calendar then perhaps it would simply be better for American fans to simply switch to watching the European leagues.
@@MLSMovesyeap, if they can figure out a way to deal with the weather then I'm okay with it.
@@MLSMoves February is still pretty cold. People show up for the home opener in Toronto but then attendance is abysmal up until about mid May when it starts getting nice. It doesn't suddenly get warmer when it becomes february, we've had snowstorms as late as may before. Especially if we get freezing rain which is more common in the fall it could be problematic, because then you are really putting players and fans in a lot of danger.
@@sobbs2283 It is also the change in the volume of games in bad weather. If you assume the playoff structure remains such that it lasts 7 weeks, then you are moving around 20 games from the months of May, June, and July and placing them in November, December, and February. I assume the Leagues Cup stays where it is regardless, but still. Now, for the teams making a playoff run, those games in May might be really nice days, but there are fewer such games in that weather out of the entire inventory of games. Fans who are given a schedule and asked whether they want to buy season tickets are going to know what the weather is like when it is pitch black at 6 or 7pm in November and December in Toronto, Minneapolis, KC, Chicago, Boston, NYC, etc. There is an assumption of fan ignorance or stupidity that just boggles the mind.
I'm okay with it. USA needs a winter break though. The north teams need to figure out a way to deal with snow and rain. Other than that why not? Teams are sustainable enough to deal with the switch.
Your reasons for a European Season are spot on. It will be rough in New York, New England, Colorado, Minnesota, Chicago, Portland, and Seattle. But my team is St. Louis City, so we can play no problem
Big thing for me isn't competing with other sports on television because what MLS needs is soccer fans anyway, not football/basketball/baseball fans who occasionally watch soccer. That said, the big thing for me is live attendance, particularly from youngsters, I'm talking school aged kid. They are the future. The 9 year old kids who don't have a favorite sports team yet. Let's face it, 30 year olds in this country already have a favorite sports team whether that's football, basketball, or whatever. But if that 9 year old can go to an MLS game live, they might fall in love with LAFC over the LA Rams for example. So if you change the schedule to an August-May format, you're stopping your games as soon as the kids go on summer vacation. So if I'm a 9 year old soccer fan and can't go to a game live and can only watch on TV, I'd might as well watch the best soccer available, ie. the Premier League... so by changing the calendar, now you've given this 9yo kid every reason to watch Manchester City over LAFC and that's not good for the league in the long run
also, that sort of becomes a two-for-one argument with the people who cite weather as an issue. Live soccer in the hot summer months is better than live soccer in the cold winter months. When the kids go on WINTER vacation in December, their parents might prefer to keep them home and watch the NFL games on TV instead of taking them to the MLS games live...
@@gbanuelos01kids got to NFL games, among other games during all types of weather and during school year. August is still in summer last time I checked as well.
please dont. soccer is a summer sport here
Yeah, that’s overshadowed by the international tournaments
@@MLSMoves attendance numbers seem good. im not going to winter games in new england. already dislike feb and march
I think all the points that you made are valid and I think the pros outweigh the cons. They could potentially do leagues cup mid January to mid February and basically keep it as a midseason tournament. Maybe more of an incentive to host in warmer cities, including Mexico.
Or even in the summer! So many possibilities!
@@MLSMoves I think I’d like that time to still be for the summer national team tourneys and stuff.
I hope the change comes
Better for Soccer in USA
Lets mls , do something like this if you qualify for mls play off you should not play league cup , those who did not qualify should play it , just like champions League, and Europe league
That the NHL has games while the Ice Hockey World Cup I find arrogant (and maybe too short-sightedly thought). But hey, the NHL is more prosperous than the IIHF World Cup. That the MLS has games while the FIFA World Cup sounds absurd for me as European. No European League - small or big - will ever do this.
Overall soccer tv ratings in the US isnt very strong plus fandom and ratings are fractured, the largest is supposed to be mexico but they have no english media presence
You’ve convinced me bro. 10/10
In Europe is also cold in countries of the North l8ke SESCANDINAVIS Poland France England Germany winter here is as hard as in Canada or New England
I have kinda changed my mind on competing with football cuz I’ve noticed myself doing that this year where I’ll pick good college football matchups over MLS. I’m down here in Texas so I don’t think I can really speak to the norther winters so that may be a real concern I just don’t know how long it lasts up there.
Anyone know what the transition season would look like? Would it just be an extra long offseason the year of the World Cup? So like wrap up regular season in October 2025, then not play club games till August 2026?
good point
all valid
Thank you
I totally agree with you
I like the schedule. Future ideas...All new stadiums for the north states should be domes or closed stadiums, so weather won't be an issue. Second idea. North states play most games in beginning and end of the season.
That makes no sense. No team in the North would want to do that. That would just lead to schedule congestion and a large gap in the middle of the season. Just keep it the way it is.
Imagine lafc playing Miami home and away or la , I don see why he can't go head to head with NFL
I will really love it , team will play home and away
The way Europe has champion league why don't Americans team do the same, imagine la playing river plate
During the winter break let them play leagues cup, US open cup.
Or play it in the summer
@@MLSMoves US open cup can be spread across the entire season. It's better to just have that cup so we don't have a situation where the leagues best players miss 10 games due to Copa America.
No way this works, Colorado, RSL, and Minnesota, all Canadian teams, wouldn't work very well. Why give up revenue for summer games, with no one in stands for most winter games. Doesnt make sense
Please beware that Nelson Rodriguez is behind this proposal. If you don't know who he is, let me put it this way: if you think Don Garber is an appealing chairman, Nelson Rodriguez would make Don Garber as the most likeable chairman that ever existed.
MLS need to worry about themselves, trying to be like europe wont help soccer grow in America
And they should stop playing all the match at the same time, any list play some on Wednesday play some Friday Saturday and Sunday, so fans can watch other matches
i agree with every single point
I actually like it as it is but they need the fifa break. When European games are off its actually great to have MLS sooo its basically the only soccer to watch. MLS does not compete with other american sports thats not the goal. The american sports don’t compete each either way. What needed is Fifa breaks
I like it start the season the last week of July and take a winter break around the 2nd week of December and start again the last week of February and end season in may
It’s perfect
It’s too cold to play soccer in Toronto in April, yet this guy is talking about playing in February. You’re clueless bro
Toronto played 3 home games this season in March 🤔
@@MLSMoves it wasn’t enjoyable…. I’ve been a season ticket holder for 13 year. Those early spring games are hell. Not sure where you’re from, but unless you’re from one of the colder markets, you won’t understand… it’s not fun being there, freezing your a** off.
@@MLSMoves Bro you're actually clueless.
March is not December or January. In the Northern parts of the country; March is when the days start to get longer.@@MLSMoves
They have to change it Will
I think they will
I hear everything your sayin but winter soccer in Chicago Montreal Philly ny Columbus Minnesota??
They already play there in February and March lol
@@MLSMoves yes but attendance is very low it’s cooild
Not as much overlap with college football and soccer imo
100%
Hell yea this a good idea liga mx always benefits in CCL srew the chimichanga cup(league cups) they don’t even take seriously our player be active for the ccl can really help mls win more titles and more spot in Club World Cup which means more respect from the world
naaa, i don't want the league to switch...i like the schedule the way it is...let's stop comparing MLS with Europe..let's be innovators and not duplicators...if it works here...leave it alone...if MLS starts to dominate in the future, maybe the others will change to our schedule...after all, MLS clubs are starting to become the most valuable clubs (as far as money goes)...if MLS raise the salary cap, the players will come...
MLS doesnt even market... the transfer window is the most dumb excuse...
Also not interested in a league that takes a winter break.
So you don’t like the Bundesliga?
@@MLSMoves I really don't watch the Bundesliga. Some of the reason for that is because I already watch and follow MLS, EPL, and UCL and don't really have the time to watch and follow another league. But that winter break is also a contributing factor as to why I don't follow the Bundesliga.
@@richsmith6997 Why do you hate winter breaks? Going to matches in the summer is way more enjoyable than going to matches in -10 degree weather.
Yo the coldest game in history for the Fire was on March 18 2023 at 19 degrees F. Yes, the NFL play in similar temps in the Winter, but players wear pants, and hand wamer pouches. Also NFL stadiums use heaters to keep the field clear of snow and ice, and to keep players and fans warm. MLS doesnt. Bro I dare you to sit at a full game at 19F degrees without any heaters in Feb and let me know it goes.
Texas teams play in the evenings when the raging sun in the summer is not raging anymore.
Why can't mls fight against NFL
Because we are far less popular. We would lose.
I disagree with all your arguments. Leave the schedule as is. Is perfect. Europe should change their schedule
Seems very similar to a Liga MX schedule. Are we merging the leagues? This is crazy talk, correct? This is a silly theory, right ? 😃
It’s literally a similar schedule to the rest of the world….
What, holy S.
This is the only way MLS will become good
It will help things out
No big deal either way.
I hate this mls one year season
Worst idea ever
Tell me how
@@MLSMoves it's gonna kill attedance and viewership. Already. Busy with european soccer, nba, and college basketball.
@@MLSMoves Competing with the NFL, NHL and NBA will hurt as its a very busy time. Right now MLS only competes with Baseball.
Cold weather cities will see attendance fall hard unless they all go domes as the temperatures in those cities will keep people out from games. There will be alot more Snow games.
We do not have to be like Europe. What is happening is working just fine and the league is growing.
@@MLSMoves 1. Competing with the NFL, NBA and NHL is a terrible idea. 2. I'm not going to matches when i'm freezing my ass off, and I'm from DC. I don't even want to think about what the Canadians would go through. 3. I like the ability to watch soccer year round.