MLS the Best Soccer Football League?
Is it better than the English Premier League, the Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A? The Major League Soccer (MLS) isn't even known as football in America. A game known locally as soccer, it's up against some of the best sports leagues in the world - the NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB.
The MLS however holds its own against these leagues in a country that isn't traditionally a footballing, sorry, a soccer powerhouse. But what makes the MLS on the same level or even better than the biggest European leagues?
Since it’s inception in 1996 the MLS has evolved itself into becoming an integral part of North American fan culture. The evolution of fan subculture has been inspiration from European Ultras and South American Barras with every team having supporter groups with their own identities.
You haven’t seen a tifo until you’ve seen those of the Portland Timbers and Safe Standing Sections (SSS) have been incorporated at an increasing number of stadiums including those of LAFC, Minnesota United FC, Orlando City SC and the San Jose Earthquakes.
The leagues rivalries have also continued to develop. One of the most ferocious of the derbies is contested between two of the most successful clubs to date, the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers.
There’s also the heated Hudson River derby between the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC or the hotly contested 401 Derby between Canadian powerhouses Montreal Impact and Toronto FC.
But one of the most unique derbies must be The Texas Derby. Contested between Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas, it takes the meaning of derby to the next level, with the winner takenig off with an 18th century replica cannon called ‘El Capitan’.
The relevance of the MLS from a global perspective is shown in its increase in average attendances. Between 2013 and 2018 the average crowds in the MLS were 21,358 ranking it at 8th in the world, just behind the likes of France's Ligue 1 (21,556) and Italy's Serie A (22,967).
Comparing this with attendances between 2003 and 2008 the MLS has had the second highest growth rate across any world football league. Up 34% during these periods, it’s second only behind the Polish first division which was up 47%.
The willingness for the league to be expansive in nature has made the MLS even more interesting. In 1996 the league started with 10 teams and has now grown to 24 with further plans to expand to 30 in the early 2020s.
One of the great expansion successes of the MLS is Atlanta United FC who joined the league in 2017. The club now has the 10th best crowd average (between 2013 and 2018) of all football clubs in the world. The very successful Seattle Sounders is in a respectable 29th.
A great league isn't possible without big name players. The biggest signing since 1975, when Pele joined the New York Cosmos in the old NASL, is easily David Beckham. In a move out of this world, Beckham joined the LA Galaxy in 2007 helping to put the MLS on the world stage and in the process help the league to attract stars.
The way was now paved for world class superstars to join the MLS and become marquee stars for their respective sides. These superstars in turn have brought attention to the league on a grand scale, helped draw bigger crowds and also increased the quality of football on the pitch.
The likes of Thierry Henry, Robbie Keane, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Kaká, Andrea Pirlo, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Tim Cahill have all graced the MLS thanks in part to Beckham.
What truly makes the MLS one of the best leagues in the world is how unique it is, how different it is and it's extraordinary growth. I mean, what other league in the world can call itself home to a college draft?
Yes the lead lacks the drama of a relegation/promotion system but this doesn’t take away from the appeal of the league as world class players and fans keep turning up. The annual postseason elimination playoffs also add to the suspense with the winner taking home the MLS Cup and winning the championship.
David Beckham made the MLS fashionable. Joining the LA Galaxy in 2007 he forever changed the landscape of the league and paved the way for superstars to join. His impact continues as he is now a part owner in the MLS expansion team Inter Miami CF, set to join the league in 2020.
Like Inter Miami, the expansive nature of the league won’t appeal to the purists, but with new franchises joining the league at a rapid rate it adds even more intrigue to the league and its uniqueness.
The fact the MLS is one of the fastest growing leagues on the planet tells us that if it’s not the best league in the world already, it’s definitely on the way to becoming it.
Thanks for writing such a well researched and compelling piece
One thing for sure is that US sports know how to put on a show for the spectators so it doesn’t surprise me to see the attendances on the rise. By comparison, there was a report last season that showed that the majority of EPL teams didn’t need to have any fans in their stadium to turn a profit - most revenue is driven by TV deals. That kind of dynamic means that some big clubs aren’t looking after the die hard fans and that can only be to the detriment of English football.
Soccer has been trying to break America for several decades now but I think it’s recent success is due to the organisers realising that the product needs to be right for the US market. Previously it felt like American soccer leagues/teams were trying to replicate European models and that didn’t work.
Is the MLS as good as the top European leagues in terms of players on the pitch or global appeal? No chance but if it’s able to act as a vehicle for greater fan engagement with the sport in the US then that is good news for football as a whole
Thanks so much for your constructive response.
You’ve hit the nail on the head. The MLS has adapted to suit the American sporting landscape and by creating its own identity it’s been able to go from strength to strength.
Yes there are elements that have drawn inspiration but they’ve created a unique experience by blending this in with things truly American. A draft and the franchise model for teams makes it uniquely American.
Interesting about the EPL and it’s treatment of die hard fans. Perhaps that’s why clubs feel compelled to raise ticket prices, knowing that they can afford to offset any drop in crowds.
One thing I’m keen to see is if the MLS will ever have a massive impact on the Men’s USNT in the future. If England’s ongoing trophy drought is something to go by and the impact the EPL has had on the team, perhaps not.