What is the league doing to ensure that the quality of the refereeing improves at the same pace as the quality of play on the field? (Which IMO they are completely failing to do but phrasing it that way feels like it might produce a more interesting, less defensive answer)
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What is the league doing to ensure that the quality of the refereeing improves at the same pace as the quality of play on the field? (Which IMO they are completely failing to do but phrasing it that way feels like it might produce a more interesting, less defensive answer)
Just a few tidbits from this. As expected from an executive there weren't any Earth-shattering revelations. I did find Garber to be pretty candid and focused on trying to answer people's questions rather than just deflecting them and giving talking points.
- he made a brief statement about stadiums and was unequivocal about ours being in the five boroughs
- he mentioned the US Open Cup and CCL as competitions that are important to him and the league. He sees the development of these as a way to build MLS' brand and wants to see our clubs winning CCL.
- he described himself as pro-technology, more so than FIFA at large, and wants to see MLS at the forefront. He made mention of wanting more data-tracking tools on players and also wanting to include things like player heart rate in broadcasts (that one I found kind of odd)
- he was supportive of VAR and thinks it's working well. He said he gets more feedback on officiating than anything else but that when the league office reviews complaints they usually find the officials were correct (huh?)
- he mentioned that one of their current struggles is US labor law which prevents them from signing someone under 18 to a professional contract. Other countries do not have this restriction so can try to poach our players at younger ages.
- he is happy with the resources teams receive for salary expenses. He said the minimum salary is above the amount the league agreed to in the CBA so he sees them as being generous. He feels the loosening of financial restrictions is going faster than he would prefer as opposed to too slow.
- he made a brief statement about stadiums and was unequivocal about ours being in the five boroughs
- he mentioned the US Open Cup and CCL as competitions that are important to him and the league. He sees the development of these as a way to build MLS' brand and wants to see our clubs winning CCL.
- he described himself as pro-technology, more so than FIFA at large, and wants to see MLS at the forefront. He made mention of wanting more data-tracking tools on players and also wanting to include things like player heart rate in broadcasts (that one I found kind of odd)
- he was supportive of VAR and thinks it's working well. He said he gets more feedback on officiating than anything else but that when the league office reviews complaints they usually find the officials were correct (huh?)
- he mentioned that one of their current struggles is US labor law which prevents them from signing someone under 18 to a professional contract. Other countries do not have this restriction so can try to poach our players at younger ages.
- he is happy with the resources teams receive for salary expenses. He said the minimum salary is above the amount the league agreed to in the CBA so he sees them as being generous. He feels the loosening of financial restrictions is going faster than he would prefer as opposed to too slow.
Thanks for providing the recap! A couple of additional notes:
1. His answer on refs was almost entirely defensive. He did say that there's internal accountability review and that officials are too resistant to admitting mistakes to the public, but then he pivoted basically to a "this is fine" regarding the substance of the overall calling.
2. I thought his answer on academies was interesting. Asked how the league can incentivize and protect academy investment, he started by saying they were working on fixing college soccer, to provide players an additional reason to stay stateside, including by persuading the NCAA to extend eligibility to players "on our teams." Mentioned the USL plays a part, as an indication of multiple stakeholders making it a difficult problem to solve. He continued by mentioning discussions around increasing GA money, either doubling it or adding a signing bonus of some sort.
He closed the answer by talking about prospects skipping MLS entirely. He seemed genuinely steamed about it. I didn't get a good sense of what fixes are in the works here, other than eventually evening out the competitive balance between MLS and Europe, but I'm convinced that he takes it very seriously, personally even, as a problem that needs fixing.
3. A staffer confirmed to me that the talk will be up on YT. Unsure about turnaround time.
1. His answer on refs was almost entirely defensive. He did say that there's internal accountability review and that officials are too resistant to admitting mistakes to the public, but then he pivoted basically to a "this is fine" regarding the substance of the overall calling.
2. I thought his answer on academies was interesting. Asked how the league can incentivize and protect academy investment, he started by saying they were working on fixing college soccer, to provide players an additional reason to stay stateside, including by persuading the NCAA to extend eligibility to players "on our teams." Mentioned the USL plays a part, as an indication of multiple stakeholders making it a difficult problem to solve. He continued by mentioning discussions around increasing GA money, either doubling it or adding a signing bonus of some sort.
He closed the answer by talking about prospects skipping MLS entirely. He seemed genuinely steamed about it. I didn't get a good sense of what fixes are in the works here, other than eventually evening out the competitive balance between MLS and Europe, but I'm convinced that he takes it very seriously, personally even, as a problem that needs fixing.
3. A staffer confirmed to me that the talk will be up on YT. Unsure about turnaround time.
Finally made it down here as tomorrow’s the last day I think. Nobody else there. Went down to the pitch and hit both posts, third one right down the pipe though. Got one of the scarves of course. Was fun.
On the calendar since the beginning they've had this VIP Chalk Talk listed but no information on what it is. I haven't received any details. So, what is it?
A Roasting of the Pitch Side Seat Holders by the coaching staff and players?
Lion, you always scream so much at the referees so I don't have to be ejected. But please, be quiet, when I try to speak to our players so they can hear my tactics. - Vieira
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