General MLS Discussion

I am genuinely asking, is there a fan base for the USL? I feel like the whole schtick is that they aren't MLS and don't have a salary cap. But what little I know of the league is that it currently holds many MLS 2 franchises (which makes it really funny how they are against MLS but house all the leagues reserve team) with a few free standing clubs. Therefore it gives off a minor league look. So how are they even trying to compete with MLS/be the first division in the US if it has all of the MLS 2nd teams? It seems to me that if soccer wasn't hipster enough in the US (and Canada) the USL has the hipsters of the hipsters following their league, so to speak. Seems kind of funny if you ask me. Plus how can you talk of Pro-Rel if the 2nd teams can't move up to the first division (MLS)? Would you make a league below USL and bleed money as the second division with USL being the first division? Seems really odd to me.
Your thinking more of the NASL. USL was really built around accepting its place in the system and thriving there. They have some good, well-run clubs. I dont think they have a significant anti-MLS supporters base, mostly just a "this is our local club" type of following, then rounded out with serious fans of MLS who watch it because it's more soccer.

USL was struggling to gain footing after the TOA clubs split to form the NASL. After a few years, MLS was looking to partner with NASL, then the only division 2, to accept its reserve teams and creating a smooth transfer/loan process to other teams. NASL was allegedly close to accepting the partnership, until the Cosmos owners came along and forced out the commissioner and pushed the league away from that strategy. USL took the offer and was able to build out a full league around it while NASL went to oblivion.

Now, USL has well established independent clubs nationwide and the MLS partnership is not vital anymore.
 
I am genuinely asking, is there a fan base for the USL? I feel like the whole schtick is that they aren't MLS and don't have a salary cap. But what little I know of the league is that it currently holds many MLS 2 franchises (which makes it really funny how they are against MLS but house all the leagues reserve team) with a few free standing clubs. Therefore it gives off a minor league look. So how are they even trying to compete with MLS/be the first division in the US if it has all of the MLS 2nd teams? It seems to me that if soccer wasn't hipster enough in the US (and Canada) the USL has the hipsters of the hipsters following their league, so to speak. Seems kind of funny if you ask me. Plus how can you talk of Pro-Rel if the 2nd teams can't move up to the first division (MLS)? Would you make a league below USL and bleed money as the second division with USL being the first division? Seems really odd to me.

There are more independent teams (24) than feeder teams (7) in the Championship.

As mentioned above, a handful of those independent teams have pretty good fanbases, and then there's a big middle tier that probably consider their attendance below where they want it. https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2019-usl-championship-attendance/
 
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I am genuinely asking, is there a fan base for the USL? I feel like the whole schtick is that they aren't MLS and don't have a salary cap. But what little I know of the league is that it currently holds many MLS 2 franchises (which makes it really funny how they are against MLS but house all the leagues reserve team) with a few free standing clubs. Therefore it gives off a minor league look. So how are they even trying to compete with MLS/be the first division in the US if it has all of the MLS 2nd teams? It seems to me that if soccer wasn't hipster enough in the US (and Canada) the USL has the hipsters of the hipsters following their league, so to speak. Seems kind of funny if you ask me. Plus how can you talk of Pro-Rel if the 2nd teams can't move up to the first division (MLS)? Would you make a league below USL and bleed money as the second division with USL being the first division? Seems really odd to me.
I’m kind of interested in QFC. NYCFC season ticket holder but in a way that doesn’t matter. Like I’m a Mets fan but still enjoy going to see the Brooklyn Cyclones now and then. Yes they’re both baseball but it’s two different things. Put in my $25 deposit for QFC and we’ll see what happens. I’d go see 5 or 10 games a season for $10 each. Not sure I’d do that for $30 each though, but I’d still go to a game or two.
 
Yup, MLS/PRO will do things so NYCFC will never have MLS Cup at Yankee Stadium/Citi Field, etc.
It is a business and the history of soccer as well as other sports provide examples that match fixing is real. We’d like to think, “that kind of thing doesn’t happen here.”
 
I.... I actually don't hate it. Too much white, but it DOES fit their team's colors. I have no idea what that crest is supposed to mean, but it's kinda nice.
 
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i'm ok with it. it's a new crest and probably has all those hidden meanings in it that we can't figure out without a bullet list, but that's ok. at least they didn't go and change their name to Sporting New England F.C....

I'm okay with it because the design is great. I like the floral thingy going on there. It's not just a circle and looks like someone did it in microsoft paint 5 minutes before the press conference
 
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I'm okay with it because the design is great. I like the floral thingy going on there. It's not just a circle and looks like someone did it in microsoft paint 5 minutes before the press conference
The rebrand looks like a bastardized version of (Glasgow) Rangers crossed with the old Chicago Fire look and it doesn’t seem to have any rhyme or reason, which means it only 1000% rather than 1,000,000% better than the old look. Back in the day before my Rev renunciation, the horrible design of the kits amd merch made me reluctant to buy or wear anything NER, even to matches. I still have my tent-sized US XL 96 amd 97 home jerseys and the famous “vomiting flag” top, but actually wearing them to anything but a Halloween party is out of the question. Unfortunately there’s hardly any nostalgia market for these items, as like me, most of the hardcore OGs were driven off by various Kraft indignities (including the horrific kits and crest) or gave up (or even died) waiting for a stadium over the years. I hate them with a terrible fury, but maybe this rebrand will spark some nostalgia for my old gear and I can unload them on a youngster.
 
Now I'm going to try and figure out what the hell that design is supposed to be...
  • Not the Massachusetts state flower, which is a mayflower.
1623414559434.png

  • Not a weird top view of a colonial hat, since those were tri-pointed.
1623414480472.png

  • Colonial/American bunting/banner?
1623414647089.png


TBD... Anyone else figure something out about it?
 
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