MLS is on the rise

[Departed]

I remember discussing the future of the MLS a few years ago on here. There were some serious doubters as to the viability of the league.....so I thought I would post this.....

More people watched MLS than Serie A this weekend
BY TOM VICTOR
Soccer has truly landed in North America and we have the numbers to prove it.
The 2016 MLS season kicked off this weekend, with all 20 teams in action, and the crowds were higher than ever before.

More than 260,000 fans turned up for the opening day games across the US and Canada - enough to fill Old Trafford more than three times over.


To put the figures into context, just 216,747 showed up to the weekend's 10 Serie A games, while Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures drew crowds of 295,413.

The best-attended game across the Atlantic, Orlando City's 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake, drew a bigger crowd than every single game in the Premier League.

MLS Opening Weekend Attendances
New York Red Bulls v Toronto FC - 21,303

Chicago Fire v New York City FC - 17,768

Orlando City v Real Salt Lake - 60,147

FC Dallas v Philadelphia Union - 14,248

Houston Dynamo v New England Revolution - 21,594

San Jose Earthquakes v Colorado Rapids - 18,000

Portland Timbers v Columbus Crew - 21,144

Vancouver Whitecaps v Montreal Impact - 22,120

Seattle Sounders v Sporting Kansas City - 39,525

LA Galaxy v DC United - 25,667

(Figures via MLSSoccer.com)

http://www.joe.co.uk/sport/more-people-watched-mls-than-serie-a-this-weekend/46100

 

[Removed at own request]

I'm a massive fan of the draft system, not sure I would like to see it here though.

Having been to a few MLS games really it's such an odd atmosphere, not in a bad way seemed less pressured and more familes.

 

[Guest]

80, as much as i am impressed with enthusiasm towards the game I really don't it will be long lasting... too many other games with money behind them.

 

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Highgatespur - 14/3/2016 07:52

80, as much as i am impressed with enthusiasm towards the game I really don't it will be long lasting... too many other games with money behind them.

Actually HG there is a bit of a change happening here. The millennials are opting for alternatives to the traditional North American sports and a lot of them grew up playing soccer. Rugby is also on the rise although mostly on the women's side of things. The inclusion of Rugby 7s in the Olympics has the US throwing SERIOUS money at the game and Canada trying to keep up.

Golf is another sport lots of children are opting for in the summer.

Hockey is becoming the domain of the wealthier families. Football is seeing slowing growth at the grass roots level.

Basketball has staying power. It is replacing hockey for many families in Canada due to the cost of hockey.

 

[Guest]

80deg16minW - 14/3/2016 13:59

Highgatespur - 14/3/2016 07:52

80, as much as i am impressed with enthusiasm towards the game I really don't it will be long lasting... too many other games with money behind them.

Actually HG there is a bit of a change happening here. The millennials are opting for alternatives to the traditional North American sports and a lot of them grew up playing soccer. Rugby is also on the rise although mostly on the women's side of things. The inclusion of Rugby 7s in the Olympics has the US throwing SERIOUS money at the game and Canada trying to keep up.

Golf is another sport lots of children are opting for in the summer.

Hockey is becoming the domain of the wealthier families. Football is seeing slowing growth at the grass roots level.

Basketball has staying power. It is replacing hockey for many families in Canada due to the cost of hockey.

That I was saying it may change their childhood habits but not necessarily when they're adults ... mind the head injury impact might have consequences.

 

[Departed]

Highgatespur - 15/3/2016 10:02

80deg16minW - 14/3/2016 13:59

Highgatespur - 14/3/2016 07:52

80, as much as i am impressed with enthusiasm towards the game I really don't it will be long lasting... too many other games with money behind them.

Actually HG there is a bit of a change happening here. The millennials are opting for alternatives to the traditional North American sports and a lot of them grew up playing soccer. Rugby is also on the rise although mostly on the women's side of things. The inclusion of Rugby 7s in the Olympics has the US throwing SERIOUS money at the game and Canada trying to keep up.

Golf is another sport lots of children are opting for in the summer.

Hockey is becoming the domain of the wealthier families. Football is seeing slowing growth at the grass roots level.

Basketball has staying power. It is replacing hockey for many families in Canada due to the cost of hockey.

That I was saying it may change their childhood habits but not necessarily when they're adults ... mind the head injury impact might have consequences.

People naturally gravitate to what they played. And as I said there is statistical proof that millennials are opting for alternative sports.