April 03, 2007
MLS Regular season finds meaning!?!
MLS announced a bunch of little stuff today, and much of it we have already heard. Put it all together, though, and I think it's all good for on-field presentation and play.
Here's the full article link @ MLSnet.com if yer bored.
New game presentation initiatives we like: less PA announcements/commercials during play, both teams will line up together pre-game, new MLS anthem, and consistency for the fields and better grass-cutting to show offsides.
The new SuperLiga addition with a $1 Million purse is nice. The top 4 teams in the regular season will get an invitation. Adds a touch of regular season meaning, depending on what happens to the money! If it just lines the owners' pockets, it may not mean much for on-field play.
I hate the new rule to yellow card players busily requesting cards for others... now Pablo won't even have to pretend to slide to get red-carded out of a game!
The player bonuses still need work (well, more $$$) but they're slowly getting the idea. Now bonuses will be paid every couple of weeks instead of once a year.
While the playoffs re-jiggering had to do with 13 teams instead of 12, I like the idea of winning spots in the playoffs so a stronger conference can get more teams. Extra competition that forces, again, more emphasis on the regular season, game after game after game.
Suddenly, the Regular Season just might matter a bit more, game after game after game!
- Supporter's Shield award for winner
- Champion's Cup play next year for winner or perhaps runner-up
- SuperLiga entry for top 4 teams (with $1 Million on the line)
- Improved chances of a playoff birth for top regular-season points holders
Hey, I like it!
Then they went and actually hired referees! Then they went and hired bad referees... Oh, well. Can't win 'em all.
Oh, and the Fire hired Blanco. Better them than us.
Posted by BilFish at April 3, 2007 12:02 AM