2009-09-05T15:34:49-04:00 Ask the Commish! 2007-10-10T10:40:41-04:00 118 2008-09-10T06:40:27-04:00 1 12 10 2007-10-24T15:50:01-04:00 3 WA markmcf Vancouver 176258 What specifically is MLS doing to mend fences with the fans in San Jos??? MLS allowed AEG to move our championship caliber team and we are getting an expansion side as a replacement. Will the league allow those players and coaches who want to return to San Jos?? to return? Are you going to give us an extra allocation or two? Some good press? A nice letter to the fans? Given how badly MLS has treated our team, our city, and our fans over the years, why should I trust MLS or give you any of my money now? 81565 2007-10-24T15:46:39-04:00 3 WA markmcf Vancouver 176258 What specifically is the league doing to try to mend fences with the fans in San Jos??? Giving us a team back was a nice step in the right direction, but you and AEG took away our Championship team, we're getting an expansion team as a replacement. Any chance of the league allowing those former Earthquakes who want to return to San Jos?? to go back? Maybe an extra allocation? A letter to the fans? Why should I put my trust in MLS again after the way MLS has mistreated our team, our city, and we fans? markmcf 77877 2007-10-15T13:34:32-04:00 2 MA naneekirl Andover 170400 The highlights of MLS games are very poor. The camera angles are too close in, you cannot see the play develop. We need to see more long range shots, crunching tackles-hits and great saves to help promote the game. How do you propose continuing to market the game to non and new fans. Nigel 79076 2007-10-15T13:16:49-04:00 2 MA naneekirl Andover 170400 Growing up in Europe, I think the way the MLS shows highlights to promote the game is terrible. The camera angles are too tight, not enough with drawn action with: long shots, crunching tackles, great saves. Watch the BBC highlight show - Match of the Day for an example. 81714 2007-10-15T12:44:49-04:00 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/141/976/thumb/cesc.jpg 347 NM Little Evil (GUNNER) Albuquerque 142276 Summertime is the perfect time for MLS in the U.S. You don't have to deal with being overshadowed by the NFL. At some point though, we are going to have to get on a schedule that is more in tune with the other world leagues. We could easily start the season in mid-July and play through December. The fact of the matter is summertime soccer is too hot for the players and fans. Nobody can really enjoy 105 degrees for 120 minutes. MLS could easily surpass Hockey as the #4 sport in America. The NBA is already, at least in my eyes, a boring product along with MLB. Too many games that don't mean a thing. How do you plan on making MLS a REAL competitor not only in the Americas, but also amongst the worlds best soccer leagues? 77080 2007-10-15T12:24:16-04:00 11 NY meromasta New York 34308 Two questions: 1) It seems to me that in all sports, not just soccer, the best talent seem to come from urban, low-income areas. Time and time again, you see the Ronaldos, Ronaldinho, Henrys, Rooneys and so on and so forth come from the slums and urban areas of their respective countries. The US has a PLETHORA of talent in these areas (I see it every sunday when I go out and play). There are guys playing in sunday leagues, pick up games, and wherever with the potential and talent of making and impacting the MLS. That being said, what is being done to get this untapped talent to the forefront of US soccer? What is being done to find the next Clint Dempsey or Jozy Altidore and help them get to the level to contribute to the sport? 2) Not as serious as the first one but important anyhow. When is there going to be another NY team? How about a NY team that is actually IN NY? Imagine the derbies that would be had if there was a genuine crosstown rival. 79251 2007-10-15T10:18:51-04:00 1 XX craigja0 No City 170343 Expanding the League The Southeast desperately needs an MLS Franchise! There are so many cities deserving of a team (Atlanta, Nashville, Tampa Bay; Charlotte). What do you think commissioner? 79068 2007-10-15T01:59:16-04:00 3 WI Fred5 Milwaukee 169023 I looked at these comments and questions and my questions still focus on the obstacles to promotion/relegation and how there's so much untapped potential in markets beyond the few handfuls of Major League teams. I think the NCAA shows that you can successfully link sports teams of various sizes throughout the country for exciting competition. A revolving dynamic promotion system would allow more markets to sniff at top professional soccer. It would be like a new franchise every year. Could you consider promotion/relegation linked to points and attendance (so you maintain your best revenue streams)? Once adopting such a promotion system could you impose some sort of mandatory investment into the new team's stadium facilities? I believe some European leagues have such standards. As far as the product goes, a mix of international stars, especially World Cup veterans, US, Mexican and Central American internationals, and some NCAA first team All Americans is not a bad dynamic. The MLS could do with about 10 more players with significant FIFA international experience. Someone like Schellotto is great but probably unappreciated. Thanks for your time. Your listening to soccer fans who want the game to succeed here will make a difference. 82248 2007-10-14T22:50:00-04:00 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/168/561/thumb/us_soccer_logo.jpg 74 SC futbolSC345 West Columbia 168861 I concur with my colleague from Charlotte, NC (ctbass)...bring MLS down to the Carolinas! 79984 2007-10-14T22:40:40-04:00 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/168/561/thumb/us_soccer_logo.jpg 74 SC futbolSC345 West Columbia 168861 Just curious if all this western expansion in MLS could be share in the Southeastern US. NC, SC, and GA all seem to be growing in interest with the sport of soccer. I'd love to see a MLS team play in Charlotte, Atlanta, or may even here in Columbia, SC. Being realistic, Charlotte and Atlanta, probably would fair better. On the side, bringing in players like Juan Pablo Angel, Beckham, Blanco, etc. is great for the league and popularity of the sport as a whole in the US. I'd just like to see more American-born talent supported. 80005 118 <p class="MsoNormal"><img src="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/images/garber.jpg" vspace="4" hspace="4" align="right" alt="" />Wanna give the suits at Major League Soccer a piece of your mind? Well here&rsquo;s your chance. I&rsquo;ve got a sit-down interview coming up with MLS Commissioner <strong>Don Garber</strong>, but you&rsquo;re the ones asking the questions.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Garber has overseen the most prolific growth the 13-year-old league has ever seen, including the league-wide move towards soccer-specific stadiums, a long-term strategy for slow expansion, securing millions in lucrative corporate sponsorship and, oh yeah, that <strong>Beckham </strong>Rule thing.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So it&rsquo;s all fair game. New stars in the league? Future expansion cities? How (if?) MLS is going to take over America? </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Submit your questions for Commissioner Garber below and I&rsquo;ll pick the best ones to throw at him.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">(Just keep it clean, and be sure to specify if you prefer I not use your real name or location.)</p> 2624 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/459/8/thumb/freedman_jonah.jpg 12 CA Jonah Freedman San Francisco 4618