I'm not totally clear on what this criticism means. To my eye, MLS has less difference in quality between the teams at the bottom of the table from the teams at the top of the table than any of the big european leagues, at least. Is that what you mean by "balance"? Do you feel that the EPL or Bundesliga or Serie A or La Liga is more "balanced", even though only maybe three to five teams in those leagues has any chance of winning the league in a given season?
We tack on playoffs to MLS because that's what you "have to do" in American sports; but accruing the highest number of points in a season is still a very solid metric to decide which team is the best. The Red Bulls won the most games in the Eastern Conference, tied the wins record of the Western Conference, and had the best goal differential (+19) in the entire league. That's what the Supporters Shield means; they were the winningest team, so to speak. How does that "not mean shit"? Playoffs are a wildcard, and they're fun, but a consistent record is a much better indicator of quality than being able to win one or two specific matches.
Keith, I get what you are saying but here is the thing. In my mind, growing up in the states but still having strong ties to Europe, I can honestly say the best judge of determining a true champion in any league is the regular season plus playoffs, especially in a league like MLS and please allow me to explain.
First, what do I mean by unbalanced scheduling? Well first of all, the difference between the Eastern Conference and Western Conference is pretty apparent, in terms of quality. I mean the fact that a team like SKC has to sneak into the playoffs as the 6th seed just goes to show you. SKC is a very good team. Not as good as years past, but still in my mind one of the better teams with a good coach, a proven system, and a team that has been together for a number of years. Second of all "unbalanced schedule" in MLS means not all of the teams play each other the same amount of time. And yes the parity in the league kinda diminishes this but the fact that teams don't play each other an equal amount of time, kinda dents the SS. On top of that, the mindset that teams have in MLS where they are not truly going after 3 points week in and week out, is a BIG BIG problem if you want to really add the same amount of value to the SS as supposed a regular season title in the EPL, La Liga, etc.....teams know they don't have to field their strongest starting 11 week in and week out, and thats ok, they can drop points and still be good as long as you are peaking at the right time in MLS.
With that said, I am not saying winning the SS is not something you shouldn't be proud of, but in reality it isn't the goal for any team really, unless you are the Redbulls in 2013. Every team, even Jesse Marsche stated, this isn't the top prize. They still have work to do.
Now let me explain why I think a regular season plus playoffs, to me anyways, is the real true barometer of a real champion. Right now are the Redbulls the best team in MLS? That is debateable. Are they in the discussion for sure, but that is what the playoffs are for in any sport in any league. Put the best teams in the league in a playoff system, where all of the pressure is on, and you will see who folds and who rises to the top. For a team in any sport to make the playoffs as one of the best teams in the league, and then to go on and to prove it during a high pressure tournament, to me that tells me who the real champion is.
It is similar in the world cup. You have the group stage of the world cup (a miniature regular season per se) and then you have the 16 team playoff. To me again, the best teams show up during big time, high pressured situations and win, and the playoffs are the best format IMO.
