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Many people from Toronto FC's John Carver and the club's fans have complained about the MLS schedule not breaking for FIFA international dates to DC United, Houston Dynam, CD Chivas USA and New England Revolution fans complaining about fixture congestion all have a bone to pick with MLS over the schedule. Indeed, it seems as if every fan everywhere agree on a few things, that the schedule is too crowded and a single table is needed.
Regarding the crowded schedule, the pressure has been on from journalists who cover the league closely such as Steve Goff who took an early stand on this subject to Luis Arroyave who brought it back to the fore, to Ives Galarcep who recently argued for the plight of Toronto to Ridge Mahoney at MLS Confidential who says MLS has bitten off more than it can chew with the current schedule, fixture congestion and missing players due to international duty.
We should have guessed this would be a hot button issue when it all kicked off just after this past spring's CONCACAF Champions Cup when Houston Dynamo boss Dom Kinnear and DC United's coach Tom Sohen assailed the MLS schedule for not giving their clubs a break in the scheduling.
The recent uproar by fans lead to not one but two statements via MLS's "Commissioner Speaks" blog, from both the commissioner, Don Garber and his deputy (and most likely successor) Ivan Gazidis.
Now it would appear that the MLS Board of Governors is "re-jigging" their meeting agenda to take on the issue of scheduling in a season which will include the 2009 Confederations Cup and 2009 Gold Cup as well as international club competitions such as the CONCACAF Champions League, SuperLiga, possibly Copa Sudamericana and of course the US Open Cup.
Of the topics related to the schedule for not only next season but 2010 as well are the possibility of MLS adopting a split, Apertura/Clausura type schedule.
This might be viewed by some traditional American sports fans as a radical departure from what they view as normal but such a schedule would be very familiar to MLS's growing and burgeoning Latino fan base.
We first got wind of this idea two weeks ago when Sean Wheelock, stated on BBC Radio 5 Live's World Football Phone In, that MLS bosses would like to eventually get to a single-table set up with playoffs in the 2010 season (more on that later) and "even more intriguing, there are discussions about going to an Apertura/Clausura type season." Wheelock is an MLS insider who has done a radio show/podcast for MLSNet, a reliable source who has broke stories in the past on the Phone In.
We are currently trying to get audio of that statement, if anyone has it, please send it to us.
We are also through our partners, attempting to ask Sean Wheelock more about this to glean more information.
An Apertura/Clausura schedule would allow MLS to break for international tournaments while maintaining a full schedule of game. Interestingly it would not be the first time such a split schedule existed in American pro sports or US footy. The old National Association Football League, in the 1920s also had a split schedule.
Beyond this has been the constant undercurrent of rumors that MLS will move to a single table with playoffs set up, similar to the United Soccer League's first division (USL-1) and the Australian A-League.
To that point it seems that MLS's relationship with the Australian A-League may have influenced their ideas somewhat.
The growth of the A-League in Australia has been linked to the structuring and marketing of the league to Association Football(Soccer) fans rather than trying to tailor it a general Aussie sport audience.
It should then come as no surprise in the year where the Aussie influenced "Football, Fútbol, Soccer." ad campaign kicked off that there are discussions underway to tailor MLS to more of the Fútbol and Football fan after trying for the better part of the first 10 years to win over the general American sports fan with a familiar set up.
At some point between SuperLiga and the SUMWorld friendlies, MLS may have come to realize there are millions of soccer fans in the US that are not MLS fans and were unlikely to become them until steps were taken to address not only the talent on the pitch but the structure of the game and the marketing off the pitch.
The embracing of supporters groups and selling the league as a serious league worth of serious competition from sides in the SuperLiga, CONCACAF Champions League and Copa Sudamericana show that MLS is growing up. And as with any growth, the schedule this year represents a growing pain they hope to alleviate through schedule and structural changes such as an Apertura/Clausura schedule and single table.
We at MLSR applaud their efforts in thinking outside the box of other American sports leagues. Soccer is different and that difference is a selling point to the true fan.
What do you think?
REPORT: MLS Board of Governors to Discuss Apertura/Clausura Schedule and Single Table at Upcoming Meeting.
Monday, September 8, 2008
First of all, why are we using Spanish terms? Probably because the stupid idea is unique to the one part of the world where people just can't take time away from the game and, as such, exists as a term only in Spanish. Secondly, it's a stupid idea.
It's about f-ing time. I am from Honduras and I have always wonder why MLS never thought of this. It is common to most of the bigger leagues in the Americas.
I would love to see an Apertura/Clausura schedule. If nothing else, it should give us a break from the heat here in Texas.
Americans are not obsessed with holding trophies and doing victory laps. Our lives are also well balanced enough so that we can take a rest from "the beautiful game." If we must split the season, we have to retain the idea of ONE title. The ONE thing that MLS has down is the preservation of the off-season.
Yeh, I agree with anon at 1:27. At first I didn't like the Apertura/Clausura thing but after 6 years of watching MLS during the dog days of summer this makes sense. What's the point of long sleeve jersey's and supporter's scarfs? start the season earlier run it until mid June. Break for Copa America, Gold Cup, Confed Cup, World Cup, Superliga and other summer competitions, then start back up in Late August and go till the end of November. Simple.
MLS should have a break in the middle of the season. Get the superliga, US open cup, and WC qualifiers out of the way.
There are way to many tournaments during the season and that just clutters the season. Too many trophys not enough time.
The only problem would be that in places like Toronto and New England, it gets really cold/snowy in the winter, and this may detract many fans from coming out to games during those months. Unless the plan includes for that provision, it makes things a little dicey. Plus the "apertura" (assuming that it would be during the fall) would have to compete with the NFL and NCAA football (American) for even more months than it already does. Americans choosing to see a sporting event in cold weather will invariably choose football over soccer simply because it is a more homespun and popular game. That said, it would definitely encourage more hardcore soccer fans to watch because it would be more like the game worldwide. But, the growth of the game in the United States will not only depend on those fans (a small proportion of the population), but also on general sports fans being more interested in soccer, and consumers in general going to games. Its a tricky situation, but I definitely like the single-table idea. It would add a unique flavor to sport in the United States.
Living in New England, I dread having a home game in March or November is 30 or 40 degree weather. For those that didn't know, it is not uncommon for us to experience snow storms here in April and our first flakes in October.
I would, however, entertain watching away games at the beginning and end of the season if it meant more home games when the weather is good.
I don't buy the "too cold" argument for Toronto. Those people will support their team in 30F weather with ice.
Toronto is probably the most "weather proof" MLS crowd there is. As for New England, who cares? They can't get anyone to come to games in beautiful weather. Why should we care what the weather is there?
4,000 at a Champions League match New England had to win to move on?! come on!
Yes exactly... Toronto/NE/Columbus would need to play most of their home games around mid-summer. It might make the schedule look a lil unbalanced.
This league should not be held hostage by one or two clubs that MAY have bad weather for a short part of the season while the vast majority would be fine.
Bring on the 2009 Apertura and Clausura! Beats the hell out of playing in 100+F weather. That's a health concern for the players.
Cold isn't.
yes please.
I am not not an MLS fan. I follow Chivas in Liga Mexicana. However if MLS adopt this plan I will probably start following Chivas USA.
This system is good because it means every fan's club has a better chance of winning the championship and you look forward to the apertura and clausura with great anticipation.
MLS playoffs could become a battle between apertura and clausura top 4.
Very exciting for me!
I would love opening and closing seasons and for playoffs to be a part of it just like the Mexican league. Makes every game more valuable like in College Football, would help insure international stars were playing and extends the season a bit.
November in Denver? They'll have to play in a blizzard.
The single table would be great.
I don't understand the point of Apertura/Clausura. It got started off in Latin America as a way for smaller clubs to have a chance in a shorter season. Those conditions don't apply in MLS.
Having off time for qualifiers, Gold Cup, etc is great but isn't realistic until all MLS stadiums own their stadiums and have complete control of scheduling.
Weather seems to me a complete non-issue.
Wow, talk about killing two birds with one stone.
If MLS were looking for a way to give players a break for international competitions and also make the regular season have playoff-like intensity then they've found it.
This is almost too good to be true. I pray that it is though!
Gridiron is played in foul weather,why can't real football?
Because a lot of "real football" fans in America are wusses who wont come out in bad weather to support their club. At least that's how it has been for most of MLS's existence. Its changing though.
i love watching matches in piss pouring rain, seriously. im usually extremely drunk but i think the weather makes it more fun
This is genius. I refuse however to believe MLS could be that smart.
Think about it, it solves the issue of the playing during international games, fixture congestion due to the CCL and Open Cup, and fixture congestion regarding WHO goes to the CCL and Super Liga.
Top 4 2009 Apertura Go to Superliga
Top 3 2009 Clausura + US Open Cup Winner - Go to C'CAF Champions League
Perfecto.
Great suggestions...even those from some of the above posters, too!!!
I'm all for re-jigging the MLS sked to fix what's wrong (my poor TFC this past weekend), but it has to be done correctly. Toronto is probably warmer in the early spring/late fall months than some other clubs (Denver, New England), but it still snows. Could be a tricky sked, with some snowy games, but I'm sure the Red Patch Boys will still be at BMO for those games!
I agree with everyone that this is an excellent idea (if it is true). But I am not so pleased with the Apertura and Clausura scheduling. I would rather have a 30 game season and not 15 game Aperatura and 15 game Clausura seasons. We (Americans) love the idea of ONE champion each year, not TWO.
Why not have a 30 game season, but have it from August to November and then from February to May? This would allow the MLS teams to play in the SuperLiga and US Open Cup during July/August. They can take them as preseason games, just like Mexican clubs do for SuperLiga. MLS clubs never play their regular starters anyways in US Open Cup matches, and can serve as preseason games as well. Finally the Champions League would run concurrently with the MLS season. Great idea!
There would still be one champion. MLS Cup Champion. Maybe the Cup would be decided between Apertura winner and Clausura winner?
That would make both seasons like the playoffs. Sweet!!!!!!!!!
The single-table is a no-brainer. That one's easy.
I'm more ambivalent about the apertura/clausura idea. It would definitely be interesting, but it serves as a way to get around not having more cup knockout tournaments in Latin America (sans Brazil, which is on the double round-robin sked). That's not an issue we really have in the states.
If the result would be to extend the start and end dates of the season, anyway, why not just extend the season? If need be, build in a summer break, akin to winter breaks in Europe (sans England - love Christmastime in the Prem).
I have never really followed Mexican Soccer. Can someone explain exactly what an Apertura/Clausura schedule means?
I hate this crap this is why the mls is going to be a small league. You can't always change the rules we need to grow are history our traditons. I have no problem for a single table but, Apertura/Clausura can stay away from my league.
Wow, this gives a lot to talk about.
I think the single-table idea is a must. There's really no logical reason to split the league into conferences (in any sport) unless you're trying to reduce competition - which is really silly in MLS since it's relatively small compared to other sports leagues in the US, especially now with all the talk of MLS expansion to increase competition.
Apertura/Clausara scheduling, on the other hand, is something I think would be not a good idea. Sure, it would be "familiar" for the Hispanic population, but I think a single-season schedule is much better. For one, if you look at all the top leagues in the world (EPL, La Liga, Serie A), none of them have a split schedule. I agree with all those who want to preserve the off-season and single-title system.
I am encourage just by hearing that the MLS Board is considering single table and FIFA schedules. MLS must adopt this approch in order for our boys to play effectively. Not sure how the Apertura/Clausura schedule is but anything that gives break and honor the FIFA date would be more than welcoome. MLS or Major Leage Football (MLF) is a global sport and it should follow its line and not hidden US particular sports. I say we the fans raise more awareness about this issue. Arlington
If Germanan can handle snow covered football games we can certainly handle as well.
The single table is a must. There's absolutely no reason for MLS to be split into conferences. I understand that they will argue that they don't want the all the playoff teams to be from one coast, but if the teams on one coast cannot win they don't deserve a playoff spot.
The Opening/Closing schedule is unnecessary in my opinion, just extend the season and spread the games out, avoiding International dates. There's no need to split the season, I'm assuming though that they want to split it to avoid the bad weather in the winter, but as stated above weather should be a non-issue.
Part of the logic behind splitting the schedule has to also be that not all teams have SS stadia. Until all teams are on their own, they'll have to compete with gridiron teams (and those nasty lines on the pitch). The winter months may be talked about as an issue of weather, but the bigger issue is the NFL.
Agrees with anonymous poster at 4:07 PM. Single-table with a split season.
Top 4 2009 Apertura Go to Superliga
Top 3 2009 Clausura + US Open Cup Winner - Go to C'CAF Champions League
MLS. What a bunch of idiots they are to consider opening / closing. MLS emulates the worst of Europe and now the absolute worst of Latin America. And why? To satisfy teams who play in NFL stadiums. That makes a lot of sense. And if they do decide to "split" the season, don't create separate championships. Keep things going. THAT is the question. Two mini-seasons or two halves to one long season?
I had never heard of the apertura/clausura thing before and the more i hear about it the more i think its HORRIBLE. TWO WINNERS?!!! I read an article about how in little kids soccer they arent keeping score anymore so the kids dont feel bad about themselves. Sounds like the same crap to me. I mean, personally, i would feel insulted and embarassed if I was the "Champion" of the second division. I am all for 1 league table and even somewhere down the line a relegation system, but this opening/closing thing sounds like something soccer moms came up with a PTA meeting. I am at aloss for words....this is brutal, and goes against all that is right with competition in general....
Single table is a no brainer. And I think a split season (that's all Apertura/Clausura translates into) to allow room for international fixtures and tournaments is a great idea, given we are a bigger league now, but not yet so big that our rosters can handle all the scheduling without a break. No league in the world with international level players continues play during international fixtures, and NONE do so during the World Cup. So why the hell do we?? Makes no sense in any way, be it financially or otherwise. Apertura/Clausura, and keep one winner overall, with any # of playoff format variables (if they want to keep playoffs) possible.
Btw, for those that think it's only Latin American to split the season in two, the Premiership has a single table and takes a 2 week break just before New Year's, marking the halfway point and effectively splitting the season into 2 halves. Just because they don't choose to name the 1st half Apertura and 2nd Clausura doesn't mean it's not the same concept. Here, we'd just make it a longer time period in between "halves" or "seasons" to account for our own specific necessities. That's it. Why the xenophobia if it could work? Let's definitely keep one league champ though at the end of it all though.
Anon 10:25 is exactly right!
Split the season, but only one champion for the Supporter's Sheild. Add in the idea of top four in first half to SuperLiga, and continue with the selection of teams for CCL the same way.
If they start this next year, will they have only 28 league games? When Philly comes in it'll be perfect with 16-teams/30-games. But they'll have trouble when teams 17 & 18 come in. Not to mention when they get to 19 & 20. MLS can't go beyond 30 games. You'll see divisions/conferences again.
im in favor of this or extending the season to accomidate fifa dates, and giving the teams a break during it. Anything to avoid what is going on this year. This could be the turn in fortune that the fans of mls have been waiting for. Lets hope the salary cap spikes up, and we can have a really legitimate league.
Single table all the way. A/C would also be good.
It's about time !!!
About time !!!!
"But they'll have trouble when teams 17 & 18 come in. Not to mention when they get to 19 & 20. MLS can't go beyond 30 games. You'll see divisions/conferences again."
That would not be a problem, the Premier League has 20 teams and as previously mentioned they have a winter break. Besides MLS wants to make money, more games played equals more money. When MLS gets to 18 teams they should go to the 34-game season with home and away scheduling.
Yes, the could do a 34-game sched, but they also want end-of-season-playoffs. They can't do both. Playoffs will win out, as they are better for the tv contract.
I am completely surprised that nobody has even mentioned that the reason for conferences is the travel aspect. I do think one table would be nice, but consider the travel reasons. Look at New England and Chivas the last so many weeks (both league and extra tournaments) and then think about DC United and Houston coming up. The Conferences allow teams to play more league games slightly closer to where they are located.
The other European countries do not travel as far across their countries simply for league games.
I am not saying the apertura/clausura are bad ideas just everyone keep in mind the other factors requiring the conferences.