The current schedule also produces another problem - it causes the Secondary Transfer window to open too late to have much of an impact on the regular season. Teams aren't able to improve their squads early enough because most only have 9 or 10 league games left in the season. They need to pull the Secondary Transfer window back to mid or late June so it occurs closer to the halfway point of the season.
Solid point on the transfer window. I’d say both windows are kind of weird for MLS. The primary goes end of January through mid April. That puts it well into preseason camps for the majority of the league. So you end up with potential high-level signings arriving late or getting started with their teams at the very beginning of the season, instead of the preseason. It’s awkward all around.
I read this somewhere else, perhaps even here, but I agree with the idea that MLS has an obligation as the top league in US/Canada to participate in the Open Cup. I know the commissioner is frustrated about attendance, so perhaps sending the MLS teams on the road for the first and second round games might help that.
I also wouldn’t be opposed to the CONCACAF participants opting out to help reduce their schedule load. Looking at your math, 50 seems like a lot of games.
Why not eight groups of five teams with four guaranteed games and only the top finisher in each group advancing. Every team gets a fourth game and the championship is just 10 days later. Just adding ideas to the chaos
I don’t hate that either. I’d rather see a couple more group stage and a shorter knockout round than have two or three weeks off if we’re going to continue this Leagues Cup nonsense.
The current schedule also produces another problem - it causes the Secondary Transfer window to open too late to have much of an impact on the regular season. Teams aren't able to improve their squads early enough because most only have 9 or 10 league games left in the season. They need to pull the Secondary Transfer window back to mid or late June so it occurs closer to the halfway point of the season.
Solid point on the transfer window. I’d say both windows are kind of weird for MLS. The primary goes end of January through mid April. That puts it well into preseason camps for the majority of the league. So you end up with potential high-level signings arriving late or getting started with their teams at the very beginning of the season, instead of the preseason. It’s awkward all around.
I read this somewhere else, perhaps even here, but I agree with the idea that MLS has an obligation as the top league in US/Canada to participate in the Open Cup. I know the commissioner is frustrated about attendance, so perhaps sending the MLS teams on the road for the first and second round games might help that.
I also wouldn’t be opposed to the CONCACAF participants opting out to help reduce their schedule load. Looking at your math, 50 seems like a lot of games.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts this morning!
Why not eight groups of five teams with four guaranteed games and only the top finisher in each group advancing. Every team gets a fourth game and the championship is just 10 days later. Just adding ideas to the chaos
I don’t hate that either. I’d rather see a couple more group stage and a shorter knockout round than have two or three weeks off if we’re going to continue this Leagues Cup nonsense.