Everyone keeps saying, "Look at NASL! Look at their fate! It's inevitable!" But they're wrong. What killed the NASL is either a non-issue or not a big issue with MLS. There is no over-expansion like the kind than ran crazy in NASL and other leagues *coughcough*NHL*coughcough*. While the NASL tried to Americanize the sport and ultimately failed, MLS tried changing things up, but then went back to the international norms after realizing that American soccer fans didn't like the changes.
Third, MLS has fostered home-grown talent, unlike in the NASL where it was sign all of the big names you can and leave the Americans on the bench. Thanks to the Designated Player Rule, MLS teams can go out and get international stars to help build their teams, but still develop their own talent. The result is a slew of talented American stars like Taylor Twellman, Landon Donovan, and Jozy Altidore, to name a few.
Last, but certainly not least, is the simple fact that MLS teams are turning a profit in their own stadiums. NASL squads often found themselves behind the financial eight-ball, partly because of bloated contracts to international stars, and partly because they played in cavernous stadiums built for football, not soccer. MLS suffered a similar stadium problem in their early years, but the shift to soccer-specific stadiums will be known as the moved that saved MLS. Teams like the Galaxy and FC Dallas, who are in their own soccer-specific stadiums, were among the first to turn profits, with other teams expected to join them very soon. Add into the fact that they have a lucrative TV deal with ESPN and other networks, and it won't be long before MLS becomes profitable for everybody involved.
Say what you want about David Beckham's first season in MLS, or about the league as a whole, but be prepared to eat your words come 2008 and the years following it. MLS and Beckham are both here to stay, and while the sport might never catch the NFL or NASCAR, history won't be repeating itself.
Article comments
1 - Chris
you are exactly right... the mls is far better designed than the nasl and you can tell through international competitions how the league has developed in only 12 years. jim rome is ignorant ass - soccer/football is the worlds sport, and it always will be... soon america will be a part of it.
2 - Cowtown
I love MLS, but will be content to see it evolve into a financially viable #5 team sport in the states. #4 would be a bonus.
3 - nicolas
all decent points but:
- i don't know that saying MLS is more successful than NASL really says much about MLS, since NASL wasn't really successful
- LA took a HUGE risk paying that much money to a player they knew wasnt healthy (and who, apparently, wasn't smart enough to let it heal properly during the season either). it isn't remotely an issue yet, but there's always the chance that LA spen 50 mil on a guy with bad ankles (which is never a good body part to have chronic injuries in).
- I don't think Thierry Henry is even relevant yet. I'm aware that he is such an incredible athlete and workout fiend that the fact that he'll be 34 in 2011 is a complete non-issue. That said, four years is a long time, and a lot can happen in that span.
just some thoughts.
4 - alessandro
Comparison to the NASL is misguided - I agree. The MLS is far better planned.
Beckham is not what's going to drive this league or be the reason if it fails. The MLS on its own will determine its fate.
5 - Miguel Ruiz
I Agree with David Beckham not being 100% healthy but I mean dont you think its outrageous paying all that money for him. I mean there are other players that deserve that Money more then him. That actually helped his team...like Cuauhtemoc Blanco or Juan Pablo Angel...
6 - Footballer
Until America officially switches the name of football to its rightful name, football, then football will not thrive here. Australia did the right thing with their name change, we must too.