General MLS Discussion

[ZYanksRule]

I think moving our calendar to the winter would be a bad idea. A bad idea on the level of when Donald Trump killed the USFL. Our attendance will plummet.

I was ready to leave in the 40th minute last night, because NJ were controlling the match and defending very well.

I am rooting for anyone who will beat them, even Orlando.

I attended 14 games this year, am thinking of getting full season tickets for next season. That number will plummet if we start hosting regular-season games in October, November, early December, and late February. I'll do it for Opening Day and a playoff game. I won't do it for an early-season regular-season game.

And it's not just us. There are 16 teams who play in locales where a winter season would do serious harm to their attendance. It feels like a move that will kill MLS's attendance numbers for half the teams. I don't know how they can do it and remain profitable.

 

[mgarbowski]

Last night was not bad at all weather wise. I've had much worse experiences in March at the start of the season. Maybe it was my section, but I felt no wind in my seat, though the concourses were another story.

I've been against a schedule flip, but I am, let's say, warming up to it. They would have to stop for at least 6 weeks from Christmas to mid-February. Maybe they do the warm region Leagues Cup then. They already start in late February so it adds 1 maybe 2 more winter weeks then. Pre-Christmas December is the fall. Average highs before Christmas range from 49º to 43º. That's very doable. And playing during the day would in fact help, at least sometimes, because official temps are taken in the shade. Sun facing temps are several degrees higher. Just ask any Giants or Jets STH if there is a difference between 1pm and 8pm games in November and December. It's not just the official difference in temps. Sun/no sun is a huge difference maker.

I won't argue with anyone who hates the cold. I hate it myself: I hate commuting in it. Waiting for buses absolutely sucks. But November and December ain't when it happens IMO. You get some outliers of course, but November and December are mostly pleasantly chill. I usually don't even button my outer coat/jacket. January to March can go FRO.

 

[ZYanksRule]

Last night was not bad at all weather wise. I've had much worse experiences in March at the start of the season. Maybe it was my section, but I felt no wind in my seat, though the concourses were another story.

I've been against a schedule flip, but I am, let's say, warming up to it. They would have to stop for at least 6 weeks from Christmas to mid-February. Maybe they do the warm region Leagues Cup then. They already start in late February so it adds 1 maybe 2 more winter weeks then. Pre-Christmas December is the fall. Average highs before Christmas range from 49º to 43º. That's very doable. And playing during the day would in fact help, at least sometimes, because official temps are taken in the shade. Sun facing temps are several degrees higher. Just ask any Giants or Jets STH if there is a difference between 1pm and 8pm games in November and December. It's not just the official difference in temps. Sun/no sun is a huge difference maker.

I won't argue with anyone who hates the cold. I hate it myself: I hate commuting in it. Waiting for buses absolutely sucks. But November and December ain't when it happens IMO. You get some outliers of course, but November and December are mostly pleasantly chill. I usually don't even button my outer coat/jacket. January to March can go FRO.

Yeah, that rainy Opening Day was worse, but it was very cold where I was in the stands last night.

February and March are the worst months of the year, and they're talking about playing during those months.

Listen, I like being out in a t-shirt and shorts at an outdoor sporting event. I don't enjoy bundling up to go sit outside for 3 hours. That's just personal preference. I think a lot of families feel the same way -- I saw way fewer kids at the game last night than I normally do. I'm really worried about what happens to our attendance if we drop the summer months. Families are a large segment of the fanbase.

Also, if the season ends in April for a May postseason, you're not even guaranteed to get any nice-weather games at the end of the year. Both April home games this year were chilly. I just don't believe there is widespread desire in this market -- or in other northern markets -- to be at MLS games in November, December, February, and March.

 

[mgarbowski]

Yeah, that rainy Opening Day was worse, but it was very cold where I was in the stands last night.

February and March are the worst months of the year, and they're talking about playing during those months.

Listen, I like being out in a t-shirt and shorts at an outdoor sporting event. I don't enjoy bundling up to go sit outside for 3 hours. That's just personal preference. I think a lot of families feel the same way -- I saw way fewer kids at the game last night than I normally do. I'm really worried about what happens to our attendance if we drop the summer months. Families are a large segment of the fanbase.

Also, if the season ends in April for a May postseason, you're not even guaranteed to get any nice-weather games at the end of the year. Both April home games this year were chilly. I just don't believe there is widespread desire in this market -- or in other northern markets -- to be at MLS games in November, December, February, and March.

No way around it, a schedule flip would mean trading 75° to 95° for 30° to 50°. I’m ok with it but it’s fair not to want it.

 

[Kenny]

I for one would happily trade in 95 for 50, or even 40. But that’s me.

 

[ZYanksRule]

I for one would happily trade in 95 for 50, or even 40. But that’s me.

Except 95 is at the extreme case, and considering how we don't play day games in the summer usually, almost never happens. You'd be trading in 95 for 25-30. I've been at Yankee Stadium on a 30-degree day. I've been in the left-field bleachers during a 30-degree day. I was so cold my jaw was locking up when I tried to talk.

 

[FootyLovin]

C’mon though. This is under consideration for 2027 season. How many more years do we really think we have 30 degree weather in NY? 2? 5? Every year sets a new record for high temps. June-August is going to get worse every year. Dec-Feb is going to get better every year. MLS just looking into the crystal ball.

 

[Gotham Gator]

I've never been colder than I was at that opening game in 2015. First row of 206, and the wind was whipping through.

Ever since, I have way overdressed for chilly games and never had a problem.

Saturday night the winds were terrible in some parts of the stadium, but not too bad where I was in the first row of 337.

I think we can anticipate that winter conditions won't be too bad in the new stadium. Totally covered and modern, it should keep out the wind and rain, and I will be surprised if there isn't some modest heating system. Bundle up, and you'll be fine.

 

[gbservis]

Possible changes coming to leagues cup? Sounds like not all MLS teams will be playing in it next year

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/1h1duqi/jose_roberto_nunez_ernst_tanner_says_the_union

 

[mgarbowski]

Possible changes coming to leagues cup? Sounds like not all MLS teams will be playing in it next year

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/1h1duqi/jose_roberto_nunez_ernst_tanner_says_the_union

Maybe they finally realized what had been obvious from the jump, which is that whether you like Leagues Cup or not, shutting MLS down for a month distorts the schedule way too much. Maybe they reduce the size more in line with OG Leagues Cup and just keep MLS going like normal in July-August.

 

[ZYanksRule]

Maybe they finally realized what had been obvious from the jump, which is that whether you like Leagues Cup or not, shutting MLS down for a month distorts the schedule way too much. Maybe they reduce the size more in line with OG Leagues Cup and just keep MLS going like normal in July-August.

I would be a big fan of running the tournament how Champions League is done. Just take a weekend every 3 weeks to have a Leagues Cup match and play it throughout the season.

 

[gbservis]

I would be a big fan of running the tournament how Champions League is done. Just take a weekend every 3 weeks to have a Leagues Cup match and play it throughout the season

I saw some speculation that it could break down as MLS teams in the CCC are excluded from the leagues cup. Then the top non CCC MLS teams in the leagues cup up until there is an equal number of MLS and Liga MX teams. Then the remaining MLS teams play the US open cup. That will probably piss off the open cup purists but it seems like a reasonable solution to me.

 

[413Blue]

I saw some speculation that it could break down as MLS teams in the CCC are excluded from the leagues cup. Then the top non CCC MLS teams in the leagues cup up until there is an equal number of MLS and Liga MX teams. Then the remaining MLS teams play the US open cup. That will probably piss off the open cup purists but it seems like a reasonable solution to me.

That also damages the leagues cup even further, making it the clear secondary competition.
"We won Leagues Cup!!" Said a fan
"We were too good to even play in leagues cup, you suck" said the rival team

 

[gbservis]

That also damages the leagues cup even further, making it the clear secondary competition.
"We won Leagues Cup!!" Said a fan
"We were too good to even play in leagues cup, you suck" said the rival team

I don't disagree I'm just not sure they care about the prestige of it. MLS leadership just wants the money that comes with the views of both fanbases and to sell out stadiums to Liga MX fans in the US who want to watch their team without traveling.

 

[FootyLovin]

That also damages the leagues cup even further, making it the clear secondary competition.
"We won Leagues Cup!!" Said a fan
"We were too good to even play in leagues cup, you suck" said the rival team

Fans and teams care about trophies. Look to the east.

Teams want to be in UCL. But that doesn't stop them putting their all into winning Europa.