Sadly, the fanbase has eroded for the Indy XI over the past several years. A majority of people want an MLS team over a USL team, even if that means folding the Eleven who have been in town for over a decade. I just hope the city doesn't build TWO stadiums downtown!
A promotion/relegation system needs to happen. I interned with Indy Eleven in 2019 working directly with the players and coaching staff. It has fallen apart in the last 5 years. I would to see an expansion, but allow Indy Eleven to get promoted to MLS rather than whatever approach is being discussed. A personal opinion, but I want soccer in Indianapolis to be taken more seriously. There isn't a lot of buy-in yet, we will see what happens. Hopefully Indy can bring the club to MLS or implement a promotion/relegation system in place to earn a first division spot. We need that model in American sports.
I hear some people saying "bring promotion and relegation". The popularity and passion of the game in the us isnt at the level that europe is at; the us cant afford that. Now considering how the us has a higher population than most countries, the us can afford a abnormally higher major league team count. It still should all be major league though, because minor leagues have significantly less support when we need more support to grow the sport in america. A 36 team system is abnormally large to european standards, but the US can support this with its large population. Divide the league into 2 divisions of 18. Play everyone in your division twice. 34 games. There wouldnt even be a problem with rivalry because, like i said, the passion isnt on the same level as europe. This would cut travel as well. More players would get a chance to play on the big stage. Edit: i'll even add on to this by adding what i think the 6 expansion cities should be. Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tampa Bay, Indianapolis, Richmond, and Buffalo.
The reason why i never argue that the US has to many teams in their top league is because the US is sooo huge. I think 30 makes since and no more. It sucks to cause in the closed system.. it doesn't give opportunities to those other cities/teams to get in. I would say the MLS messed up by adding a 2nd team in NY, LA and also by adding Austin and Cincy.
My goshhh. What is it about the media and their constant need or want to be like Europe. Are we exporting players? Is our national team growing? Are you not entertained week in and week out with MLS? Then go with it!! Like having a party and not enjoying it because it’s not like the ones lil Wayne throws.
To be fair the MLS is only hitting the major cities if I'm the USL EXPAND AN Focus on the smaller cities that are 45 minutes or 30 minutes from where you are if indy eleven works it works but thats how im seeing it work
This is also my thought. MLS will expand to 40 teams then once that happens they will break the MLS into 2 leagues MLS and MLS 2 and have the start of Pro/Rel. the USL just isn’t big enough and you can’t have a USL team be promoted and they still play at a high school/college stadium in a league with Messi.
1) MLS will NEVER implement Pro/Rel. It's being alleged that MLS is considering launching a D2 League that will eventually kill the USL. The NFL killed the OG USFL, while the NBA was born out of a merger, so why not have MLS kill USL as well? Gotta love how sports work here in America. 2) I will NEVER understand why people like you say, I want an MLS team, not a USL team but I love Indy Eleven. I was always taught to support my team no matter the circumstances - including what level of the pyramid they are playing in.
Look everyone from the city's point of view a MLS franchise brings more national recognition to Indy if they build eleven park only to have minor league soccer it doesn't make sense Indy is out growing minor league sports it doesn't bring national exposure.
@@SGE22- cause it’s not, we see it in the open cup, even when USL sides don’t beat MLS sides, it’s usually close. The technical skill is marginally better in MLS if you compare side by side, but there are definitely many players and clubs that could succeed in MLS. Let’s face it, there are guys who are good enough but just don’t have the right connections or their agent doesn’t have the right connections. Also, if you really do love Indy Eleven, support them, go to matches, and don’t advocate for an MLS side, because MLS won’t bring up Indy Eleven, they’ll do what they did in San Diego and kill a club with history. If you love Indy Eleven, MLS in Indy isn’t good especially if they are looking for a new franchise, not the Eleven.
@@asapaul7671 “it’s not” isnt a form of an example. And the MLS doesn’t even care about the Open cup anymore. Tonight at 7pm the top USL team will go up against Atlanta united. ATL are 22nd for the shield and currently have not won in 8 consecutive matches. And you’ll watch ATL beat Charleston tn because even the bad MLS teams are better. There are a lot of reasons for a MLS franchise. 1. Money to sign European superstars 2. MLS teams in FC franchise( currently they do not have any USL so playing as Indy 11 is impossible) 3. Legitimate Football stadiums( vast majority of USL teams play at a College/high school level stadium that are very poor for fans to atten) I could sit here all day and list examples as to why MLS is better. 4. Being able to watch world legends play and get autographs( without having to travel to another city that has a MLS team) 5. The MLS pumps out 10 to 1 better quality players than the USL. Can you listen any examples as to why the USL is better? So far you haven’t.
I just came across this video channel and I have to say, screw this Seb dude. What does he think this is, Fox News?? Like Herc said, it's about Indy11 joining the MLS, like how Orlando City did
Herc is actually right here. Look up the human remains found at the Indy 11 stadium building site. They can't build a stadium there without removing the bodies and that's why their Indy 11 stadium deal fell apart. There are real legit MLS Vs USL issues but this isn't one of them. Indy 11 owner's plan was always to leave USL for MLS. The Indy 11 owner is trying con his way into an MLS franchise now that his stadium deal fell apart. There is no "good guy" in this situation.
@@brando7266 lol the city that is going to lose their hockey team and possibly relocate their baseball team? I hear there is a possible plan for a stadium but no team or anything formal. Sacramento and Indy are the ones with the best chances.
@@jeremyferrufino6849 who said the diamondbacks might move,? Ps- Google how big the city of Phoenix is, u might be surprised, ps- it's too hot for hockey,
Seb Salazar is a clown and it's crazy how he questioned Herculez's reading comprehension when he should be questioning his own logic. He's trying to hard to be Skip Bayless and it's very sad. This show used to be quality, but now that Seb has gone full troglodyte I rarely watch now. Literally everything Herculez said was correct; Indy XI does want to be in MLS and this is a situation where MLS was contacted. Like he said, it isn't big bank stomping on little bank especially when they reached out to big bank. Seb is mad about MLS looking like every other league in our country, again like Herc said, pro/rel is not around the corner anytime soon. If you don't think MLS is a serious league, cover another league. MLS sold more players than any other league on this side of the world, only behind Brazil. It's crazy Herc took the disrespect considering he played in this league as well. I don't understand being upset about business people doing business things, last time I checked sports were part of the entertainment industry. I probably annoyed by Seb as well because he shits on DC United too much.
I also disagree with the Walmart analogy because an MLS team is a far superior product compared to an USL team. Also, an MLS team will have the financial resources to invest in youth development.
Sacramento is getting screwed imho..they should be an MLS team. I don't live in California either..but you see Sacramento's fans are crazy good. They should take San Jose's slot imho. San Jose's owners are terrible. Only thing that's rough is Sacramento's heat..it can be unbearable in the summer.
@richardcastaway7683 there are 40 million people living in California. That is larger than the entire country of Canada. For perspective, Spain has 50 million and supports an entire league. I think 5 teams is the perfect amount (2 in LA, 2 in NorCal, and 1 in San Diego, all ranking in the top 20 TV markets). If you flip California and put it on the East Coast stretching to Ohio you see there are now even more teams for the area than 5 (Philly, NYC, Ohio, DC). State lines are made up, where people actually live are not
I'd love to see Indy Eleven move up to MLS as a team that has been there and invested for years but 30 teams is enough. US soccer needs a stronger second division not a bigger 1st division. Maybe MLS grows and splits into 1st and 2nd divisions. On Herc's point, the politics and rich people fights are always a manure throwing event. Herc is right be on the side of the fans and community stay out of the cesspool.
Most of these USL clubs would compete with MLS clubs - one of the reasons why MLS is trying to get out of the open cup. Competitive teams and competitive owners.
Except: EFL Championship (2nd division) > MLS (1st division) Not to mention, if we're only talking about local D1 v. D2, that doesn't give D1 the right to destroy a D2 team. In fact, that's precisely what the global game is against through their open pyramid system which is essentially open market. What you appear to be advocating is antithetical to open market.
