General MLS Discussion

I'm close to a few Fire fans and they are already big fans of Mansueto, at least in the short time he's been there.

They've reportedly offered Juergen Klinsmann a contract for their head coach.. From the Fire fans I know, they've mentioned, that while they wouldn't like bringing Klinsmann on board, they're happy that the Fire are aiming relatively high.
 
I'm close to a few Fire fans and they are already big fans of Mansueto, at least in the short time he's been there.

They've reportedly offered Juergen Klinsmann a contract for their head coach.. From the Fire fans I know, they've mentioned, that while they wouldn't like bringing Klinsmann on board, they're happy that the Fire are aiming relatively high.
Would be great for the league if Chicago starts to spend and maneuver like ATL, the LAs & hopefully MIA. The league won’t grow up till most the teams are pushing the envelope.
 
Alexi Lalas is doing an AMA on r/MLS at 3 PM ET today if anyone wants to ask a question.

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He replied to my question. I asked for the heck of it... This could be big in either good or bad ways
 
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He replied to my question. I asked for the heck of it... This could be big in either good or bad ways
You realize he held positions of power at two clubs and the results were exactly what you’d expect from a former player with zero GM qualifications, right?
 
You realize he held positions of power at two clubs and the results were exactly what you’d expect from a former player with zero GM qualifications, right?
I wasn't asking it in a 'please join them', I was asking it in a 'are you going to'.
Big difference.
 
You realize he held positions of power at two clubs and the results were exactly what you’d expect from a former player with zero GM qualifications, right?

At this point I’d rather fill the whole USSF offices and coaching staffs with pastrami sandwiches.
 
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At this point I’d rather fill the whole USSF offices and coaching staffs with pastrami sandwiches.
Definitely won’t be allowed in Qatar.

There really needs to be a USSF Board if Directors Coup where Jay Berhalter is fired for nepotism, Greg is unceremoniously kicked to the curb, and any other executive who allowed this hire to take place be removed. I don’t know what the answer is to the next coach, but the news that Ramos was legitimately blocked from the caretaker position out of fear he’d succeed is deeply disturbing. If Ramos would want the role, I’d be ok with it since I’m not sure who else we could get this late in the cycle while also knowing they’d be onboard 100%. Ramos at least knows the player pool and has shown results at the 20 level.
 
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Article in today's The Athletic titled "An inside look at why billionaires buy into money-losing Major League Soccer (hint: It’s not really losing money)".

[Sacramento Republic owner] Burkle didn’t buy into the league just to operate Sacramento Republic FC. It may be a big reason, but another one is surely that he and other MLS owners are also automatically made investors in an entity called Soccer United Marketing (SUM).​
...​
How much money SUM generates and the degree to which it finances MLS operations hasn’t been officially disclosed, but Forbes last year estimated the first figure at $350 million annually and valued it as a $2 billion enterprise.​
The attraction for MLS owners isn’t just in those current figures, though, but also in their growth potential. Unlike teams, which are mostly limited in their chief revenue streams to game day/merchandise/ticket/corporate sponsorship sales, SUM is free to generate additional significant money through whatever avenues happen to come up as soccer continues its upward growth trajectory in the U.S.​
“Its potential isn’t limited the same way soccer is limited,” said Andrew Zimbalist, a sports economist at Smith College in Massachusetts. “Owning a sports team in the U.S., you’re buying something that cannot expand the way a normal company can expand. SUM has no boundaries and it has much more potential than any single team.”​

And of course for those teams building stadiums:

“Teams building facilities these days, it’s more about the real estate play and what more can you do with it,” Rishe said. “You’re seeing it across sports. All of these ownership groups, it’s a large real estate development they know they can cultivate 365 days a year.”​

 
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So if every MLS team flies to their 17 away matches, and any other additional preseason training stints and/or playoffs, would seem that if the team sticks to a particular airline, the players could achieve medallion status by the end of the year. And if so, and it’s a big if because I would not be surprised if MLS rotates airlines based on best price instead of brand loyalty/miles, then when teams fly, even though coach tix are bought, there’s the likelihood of complimentary seat upgrades if seats are open. Doubtful it would help the entire squad because of insufficient open seats, so maybe those that are offered turn down the upgrade to remain with the group, but it would open the possibility of better travel for players that have status.
 
So if every MLS team flies to their 17 away matches, and any other additional preseason training stints and/or playoffs, would seem that if the team sticks to a particular airline, the players could achieve medallion status by the end of the year. And if so, and it’s a big if because I would not be surprised if MLS rotates airlines based on best price instead of brand loyalty/miles, then when teams fly, even though coach tix are bought, there’s the likelihood of complimentary seat upgrades if seats are open. Doubtful it would help the entire squad because of insufficient open seats, so maybe those that are offered turn down the upgrade to remain with the group, but it would open the possibility of better travel for players that have status.
That really wouldn't be enough flights to gain high enough status to frequently get upgrades for weekend travel.
 
That really wouldn't be enough flights to gain high enough status to frequently get upgrades for weekend travel.
If only there were midweek matches flying on Tuesdays and Thursdays......

I get your point, the majority of flights wouldn’t be applicable, but would think some could be with the right conditions of plane size and off-peak travel during the day.
 
If only there were midweek matches flying on Tuesdays and Thursdays......

I get your point, the majority of flights wouldn’t be applicable, but would think some could be with the right conditions of plane size and off-peak travel during the day.
My main point, is that we're talking probably around 40-45 segments per person I would guess. I'm sure the teams are looking to have direct flights, so even those numbers may be a bit high. That would be good for the lowest level status and its incredibly rare to receive upgrades at that level. There could be a shot mid-week (not on a Thursday), but its still quite unlikely.