Even as a Kiwi, it's obvious MLS is an exclusive rich boys club. Used to be earthquakes my main team, Roots as my lower league team. I've fully switched now and have for all intents and purposes disowned the quakes. The USL needs to be brave now. All these new USL Stadiums under construction or planned is brilliant. Even Fort Wayne with Damarcus Beasley is building an 8000 seat stadium for USL 1. So be brave, pull the trigger, get pro/rel going and give every team 10 years to have a minimum 5000 seat soccer specific stadium, let anyone enter at the bottom tier, and watch the league take off. With a low barrier to entry, everyone will join, and if there's all of a sudden 4 divisions of 20 teams, the MLS will quickly lose legitimacy
Along with maintaining their current media deals with ESPN & CBS because by doing so it gives the USL much needed exposure on TV (especially on over the air CBS) something that MLS absolutely lacks currently due to MLS putting all of their games on Apple TV. USL also needs to maintain their media deals with local stations in the markets they are currently in or are entering for the same reason because by having games that are easily accessible it grows interest in the sport.
How could anyone accuse you of being anti-Sac??? Stoked The Republic is getting a proper stadium FINALLY. As a lifelong Quakes supporter I gotta tell ya that our wait was even longer, so I’m happy for Sac. We need the Republic in MLS. I’m hoping our two supporter groups will team up whenever a Southern California club is playing either club. Love from San Jose.
These USL teams should keep pushing to build MLS sized (or at least expandable to MLS sized) stadiums. USL teams getting the same support would only prove to show that pro/rel could still be profitable and sustainable in the US.
Soccer in the US should look more like college football. The MLS can be analogous the Power-5 conferences and the USL be like the rest. Need more meaningful matches between neighboring markets despite league affiliation. Indy - Cincy, Tampa - Orlando, Memphis - Nashville, Columbus - Cleveland, etc. US Open Cup matches on Tuesday nights are not doing it.
Even though the new stadium for Sac Republic is likely too small for MLS, it is likely just the right size to bring an NWSL or more likely a USL Super League team to Sacramento. The NWSL has talked about adding another team in Northern California so it can develop a rivalry with Bay FC. As for the USL Super League they would likely add Sacramento to simply have a team in California as previous attempts to add a team in Southern California have hampered by the presence of NWSL clubs Angel City & San Diego Wave in the market. Lastly, I really hope that Sacramento State does not attach itself to this new stadium project (so that they can get a new football stadium without spending any money) as part of its wild plan to be a D1 school because it would not benefit anyone. I have been to a few Portland State football games at Providence Park & can tell you that football does not work inside a stadium that is built specifically for soccer.
IMO we are fine in the USL Champions league. The new Stadium would probably help the league. We also are capable of doing promotion too but that’s a rare if
As a parent of a kid in the SR academy, SR becoming an MLS team would be great. 😂 but I definitely understand why it’s less important for the top team fans to care.
4:08 Dogs fans are incredibly patient but if they go to L2, expect Huddersfield supporters to protest like how a certain other West Yorkshire club protested Ken Bates a decade ago. I think Sac should stay in the USL. The MLS is flashy but nobody cares about it. The only thing good about this is that it may be a block to the A’s staying in Sac but that’s about it.
I guess I hope your team will flourish, good name too, but to say a casino owner is invested in the community, while profiting of gambling addicts feels a bit weird... The situation look a bit like our second division (third layer), all big traditional clubs which aren't that interested in promoting Ince throaty have their derby... like Spakenburg - ijsselmeervogels;... one of the most heated derby of The Netherlands
As this video has informed me that New Mexico United is getting a new stadium, I sincerely hope that Meow Wolf gets to have some input into its design.
I'm glad to have USL in Pittsburgh. I go to nearly Riverhounds home game. It feels like going to a lower league game in England. I think when MLS had less teams and had actual linear TV deals, it had potential. The way MLS ruined the US Open Cup out of spite due to the Hounds, the Republic, the Legion, Detroit and several others having giant killed multiple MLS clubs in that competition over the last couple years just made me hate Garber and MLS entirely. With so many teams in USL expanding existing stadiums/getting new ones, along with doing the business they did with CBS, ESPN, & TUDN to get the league in front of more viewers; I like what USL is trying to do and hope that it continues to strengthen the league. It just hurts there's no pro/rel in US pro soccer. But then again, going from the networks now covering USL to just Apple behind a paywall that most people won't pay for; that feels like a massice downgrade. Most USL clubs have the ESPN+ games simulcast on a local station too. So, there's many different ways to consume this league and follow a local club. It's mindbogling that in 2024 the USL clubs are more easily accessible than any of MLS. Plus, the League's Cup MLS does lost me when none of the Liga MX sides were hosting matches when they were the designated home side. Besides Messi, MLS isn't doing itself any favors now days. So much so, you'd have to be nuts as a USL club supporter to want to see your club move up. I just want the Hounds to play Harrisburg again. That's the only major thing I'd want to see change with USL. Other than that, I think the leg as a whole is in a really good place.
I have heard one reason why Sacramento lost its chance at an MLS club was that the post-COVID supply chain issues drove the cost of the proposed stadium out of reach. Any truth to that story.
MLS would never allow its teams to be in the same game as the USL. That means the most likely option would be the USL trying to get into Konami's eFootball. I could actually see that happening I mean, the franchise at one point featured the Thailand and Malaysia leagues so the USL isn't that far fetched.
I, for one, do want to see Messi before he goes into total decline. I just want it to be on my season ticket in Portland… and the odds of that are very low. I’m not paying $500 for the privilege… and I could do that if I wanted. Consider that fans of the “big 4” have had decades to build regional identities (in contrast to how the rest of the world works)… but MLS won’t have that for two reasons. (1) those regions have frayed over time to the point where regional sports networks are fraying… something that was visible to MLS when going in with Apple. (2) MLS tries to act like they’re reinventing the sport, but the fans know better as witnessed by the popularity and availability of the Premier League, Liga MX, and others on American TV or available on streaming. There’s an upper bound to the potential growth of MLS unless they can monetize adding 100 markets… and I can guarantee that this won’t work at a single level of competition. While it’s not easy to see how MLS (or Apple in consultation) can monetize pro/rel AND keep current owners happy, I can at least see how Apple might want to increase subscribers.
MLS in my opinion is focusing too much on the global stage at the expense of growing the game domestically. I have a feeling the Apple TV deal has something to do with it.
What is it about Sacramento and struggles to keep pro sports franchises? Between minor league baseball and professional soccer, the stories behind some of these franchises is insane compared to other cities.
Even as a Kiwi, it's obvious MLS is an exclusive rich boys club. Used to be earthquakes my main team, Roots as my lower league team. I've fully switched now and have for all intents and purposes disowned the quakes.
The USL needs to be brave now. All these new USL Stadiums under construction or planned is brilliant. Even Fort Wayne with Damarcus Beasley is building an 8000 seat stadium for USL 1. So be brave, pull the trigger, get pro/rel going and give every team 10 years to have a minimum 5000 seat soccer specific stadium, let anyone enter at the bottom tier, and watch the league take off. With a low barrier to entry, everyone will join, and if there's all of a sudden 4 divisions of 20 teams, the MLS will quickly lose legitimacy
We've got OCo. That'll be so good for USL.
Along with maintaining their current media deals with ESPN & CBS because by doing so it gives the USL much needed exposure on TV (especially on over the air CBS) something that MLS absolutely lacks currently due to MLS putting all of their games on Apple TV. USL also needs to maintain their media deals with local stations in the markets they are currently in or are entering for the same reason because by having games that are easily accessible it grows interest in the sport.
honestly as a sacramento republic fan, the idiocity of mls makes me rather them stay in the usl championship
The USL is a cool league, better for Norcal than MLS
I agree. The Roots are my team.
Like hell.
How could anyone accuse you of being anti-Sac??? Stoked The Republic is getting a proper stadium FINALLY. As a lifelong Quakes supporter I gotta tell ya that our wait was even longer, so I’m happy for Sac. We need the Republic in MLS. I’m hoping our two supporter groups will team up whenever a Southern California club is playing either club. Love from San Jose.
Quakes to USL. Would be far better. Although, as long as Fisher is there it doesn't matter which league they're in
I wouldn't even get into MLS if I was Sacramento. The lack of presence of Clubs on TVs brought decline.
These USL teams should keep pushing to build MLS sized (or at least expandable to MLS sized) stadiums. USL teams getting the same support would only prove to show that pro/rel could still be profitable and sustainable in the US.
support? Sure. But it doesn't necessarily transcend into profitability.
Soccer in the US should look more like college football. The MLS can be analogous the Power-5 conferences and the USL be like the rest. Need more meaningful matches between neighboring markets despite league affiliation. Indy - Cincy, Tampa - Orlando, Memphis - Nashville, Columbus - Cleveland, etc. US Open Cup matches on Tuesday nights are not doing it.
Even though the new stadium for Sac Republic is likely too small for MLS, it is likely just the right size to bring an NWSL or more likely a USL Super League team to Sacramento. The NWSL has talked about adding another team in Northern California so it can develop a rivalry with Bay FC. As for the USL Super League they would likely add Sacramento to simply have a team in California as previous attempts to add a team in Southern California have hampered by the presence of NWSL clubs Angel City & San Diego Wave in the market. Lastly, I really hope that Sacramento State does not attach itself to this new stadium project (so that they can get a new football stadium without spending any money) as part of its wild plan to be a D1 school because it would not benefit anyone. I have been to a few Portland State football games at Providence Park & can tell you that football does not work inside a stadium that is built specifically for soccer.
IMO we are fine in the USL Champions league. The new Stadium would probably help the league. We also are capable of doing promotion too but that’s a rare if
I’d rather republic just stay in USL and continue the growth of that league. Let’s grow that, and maybe add a women’s club.
This isn't an immediate MLS play. This is a new stadium / USL Championship play for now.
And no shade of any kind covering the stands. It's only gonna get hotter every summer.
Usl is a way more real feeling league . MLS as a whole feels like they forgot what made them cool.
As a parent of a kid in the SR academy, SR becoming an MLS team would be great. 😂 but I definitely understand why it’s less important for the top team fans to care.
4:08 Dogs fans are incredibly patient but if they go to L2, expect Huddersfield supporters to protest like how a certain other West Yorkshire club protested Ken Bates a decade ago.
I think Sac should stay in the USL. The MLS is flashy but nobody cares about it. The only thing good about this is that it may be a block to the A’s staying in Sac but that’s about it.
Could you imagine the scenes if Nagle were to hire Peter Ridsdale as chairman? They'd make those Bates protests look tame in comparison.
I guess I hope your team will flourish, good name too, but to say a casino owner is invested in the community, while profiting of gambling addicts feels a bit weird...
The situation look a bit like our second division (third layer), all big traditional clubs which aren't that interested in promoting Ince throaty have their derby... like Spakenburg - ijsselmeervogels;... one of the most heated derby of The Netherlands
What happened to the proposed 22,500 seat stadium that was proposed?
As this video has informed me that New Mexico United is getting a new stadium, I sincerely hope that Meow Wolf gets to have some input into its design.
Saputo stadium started out as a 12000 seater, no reason they couldn't expand if need be🤷🏿♂️
I'm glad to have USL in Pittsburgh. I go to nearly Riverhounds home game. It feels like going to a lower league game in England.
I think when MLS had less teams and had actual linear TV deals, it had potential.
The way MLS ruined the US Open Cup out of spite due to the Hounds, the Republic, the Legion, Detroit and several others having giant killed multiple MLS clubs in that competition over the last couple years just made me hate Garber and MLS entirely.
With so many teams in USL expanding existing stadiums/getting new ones, along with doing the business they did with CBS, ESPN, & TUDN to get the league in front of more viewers; I like what USL is trying to do and hope that it continues to strengthen the league.
It just hurts there's no pro/rel in US pro soccer. But then again, going from the networks now covering USL to just Apple behind a paywall that most people won't pay for; that feels like a massice downgrade.
Most USL clubs have the ESPN+ games simulcast on a local station too. So, there's many different ways to consume this league and follow a local club.
It's mindbogling that in 2024 the USL clubs are more easily accessible than any of MLS.
Plus, the League's Cup MLS does lost me when none of the Liga MX sides were hosting matches when they were the designated home side.
Besides Messi, MLS isn't doing itself any favors now days. So much so, you'd have to be nuts as a USL club supporter to want to see your club move up.
I just want the Hounds to play Harrisburg again. That's the only major thing I'd want to see change with USL. Other than that, I think the leg as a whole is in a really good place.
I have heard one reason why Sacramento lost its chance at an MLS club was that the post-COVID supply chain issues drove the cost of the proposed stadium out of reach. Any truth to that story.
The stadium’s capacity is expandable for MLS
Stadium capacity 12000 that's not a good number for an mls professional league it has to be at least 15000
Do you ever think the USL teams and/or players will be in the EAFC games? Why or why not
MLS would never allow its teams to be in the same game as the USL. That means the most likely option would be the USL trying to get into Konami's eFootball. I could actually see that happening I mean, the franchise at one point featured the Thailand and Malaysia leagues so the USL isn't that far fetched.
@@thetouchbackboy do I have news for you (like 2 year old news by now)
Why is the stadium gonna be so small?? 12k seats? Even if they are not going to MLS why not make 18K
It will be expandable to 20k.
Would they be the 1st Native American Ownership Group in Sports?
It is being reported that they are the first Native American Sports Ownership Group in the US.
I, for one, do want to see Messi before he goes into total decline. I just want it to be on my season ticket in Portland… and the odds of that are very low. I’m not paying $500 for the privilege… and I could do that if I wanted.
Consider that fans of the “big 4” have had decades to build regional identities (in contrast to how the rest of the world works)… but MLS won’t have that for two reasons. (1) those regions have frayed over time to the point where regional sports networks are fraying… something that was visible to MLS when going in with Apple. (2) MLS tries to act like they’re reinventing the sport, but the fans know better as witnessed by the popularity and availability of the Premier League, Liga MX, and others on American TV or available on streaming. There’s an upper bound to the potential growth of MLS unless they can monetize adding 100 markets… and I can guarantee that this won’t work at a single level of competition. While it’s not easy to see how MLS (or Apple in consultation) can monetize pro/rel AND keep current owners happy, I can at least see how Apple might want to increase subscribers.
MLS in my opinion is focusing too much on the global stage at the expense of growing the game domestically. I have a feeling the Apple TV deal has something to do with it.
What is it about Sacramento and struggles to keep pro sports franchises? Between minor league baseball and professional soccer, the stories behind some of these franchises is insane compared to other cities.