MLS Round Up: Season Pass thoughts, Atlanta beginning to cook

Last week felt like a lot was happening across Major League Soccer. There were tons of different drafts and offseason events. Oh, and a ton of rumors to go with it for players moving.

Let's dive into some big topics for this week.

📺 MLS Season Pass looks to improve in year three

After hearing about all the dismal linear TV numbers last week, there are now some reports out about how MLS and Apple want the Season Pass to be more accessible in 2025.

Not that anyone has asked me, but I do hope some big changes are on the horizon for the Season Pass next year. I’d like to see at minimum the following:

• At least two earlier broadcast windows each weekend. Instead of everyone on the 7:30 p.m. local kick that we’ve had these last two years, open up a 12 p.m. kick or a 3:30 p.m. kick. I’d love to get back to the days where we have at least one or two afternoon games in the early spring when the weather is still nice.
• Find ways to get more games back on FOX and ESPN. I think the sticking point for ESPN in recent years has been how MLS makes those games free on AppleTV. Maybe give those partners some premium games from time to time that don't end up on Apple?
• Road radio broadcasts. Please and thank you.
• Package the additional content in a way that you can consume it on the web more than through the app. I know the teams are telling decent stories, but if it takes a ton of digging in Season Pass to get to it, you've already lost people.

🏆 Leagues Cup shifting in 2025

A good deal has come out about how changes are shaping up for the Leagues Cup in 2025. We know there won't be any pausing of the regular season come next summer. And it appears we're getting a bracket-style tournament with no group stage games.

I believe there is a real, solid chance that we're going to see MLS teams only compete in one competition in 2025. One group will be in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Another in the US Open Cup. And sadly, one in the Leagues Cup.

There could be a tiny bit of overlap for a few teams, but I don't think we're going to see FC Dallas in both the USOC and the Leagues Cup. At least I am hoping that is the case.

Deep down, I really wish MLS and Liga MX would consider this suggestion:

The 'not linking it to the CCC' is big for me. I've never really liked that element of the Leagues Cup in the last two years.

🔴⚫️ Five Stipes makeover continues

Going into the offseason, I always felt Atlanta United was posed to do some big things. They have open Designated Player slots, a manager role to fill and now they've gone out and hired one of the best sporting directors in Chris Henderson.

Henderson's exit from Miami wasn't a total shocker to most who follow the two clubs.

The more I read up about where Atlanta is this winter, it looks super similar to what we saw this time last year with the LA Galaxy. They had a couple (or few) terrible to mediocre seasons in a row. Then they went out and hired an intelligent front office guy in Will Kuntz. After a pair of massive DP signings, the Galaxy rode those signings and a few other smart moves to an MLS Cup.

Will Atlanta be back on that path in 2025? Hard to say at this exact moment, but the vibes are certainly there for them to get there again.

🏔️More Vancouver thoughts

I discussed in the Monday newsletter how the Vancouver Whitecaps are up for sale now. We haven't seen a MLS team get put on the market for a couple of seasons, since Real Salt Lake was sold in January 2022.

The Whitecaps don't own their stadium in Vancouver and the same goes for their training facility. To thrive in MLS these days, you need to control both of those elements.

Aside from the 'who could buy them' talks that are probably swirling out there, I really worry about the relocation part of this potential sale. MLS hasn't had a relocation on nearly two decades, but there are markets that are likely chomping at the bit to get their hands on a MLS team that wouldn't require all the usual expansion stuff (fees, total front office build out, building a roster from scratch, etc).

I had a couple of folks ask which markets could make sense for a relocation if it were to come to that. As much as I hate thinking through that for the Whitecap fans out there, I'd keep a watch on places like Detroit, Las Vegas and Tampa. All three are places MLS has wanted to be in (or in Tampa's case be back in).

Other odds and ends:

• Columbus schedules match in...checks notes...Cleveland? Of all teams, the Crew should know better than to play a game in another market. Such a terrible money grab.
• Bradley Carnell is the leading candidate to take over Philadelphia. Honestly, this is such a Philly move.