Los Angeles Galaxy manager Bruce Arena confirmed that José Leonardo Ribeiro da Silva will miss the entire season due to a torn ligaments in his right knee.

“Those things happen," Arena told MLSSoccer.com's Luis Bueno. "You can never understand why they happen. Unfortunately it’s all part of the game but we’re going to do everything we can to get him back on the field and work with him. I’m confident he will be back on the field with the Galaxy.”

The training staff was unable to tend to the Brazilian at the time he injured his knee, as the match was late into stoppage time.

“It was the last play of the game,” Arena said. “We thought it was serious but the referee wouldn’t let our trainer onto the field.”

Either Sean Franklin or A.J. DeLaGarza will be called to fill in the void left by Leonardo. Gregg Berhalter is two to three weeks away from reaching full match fitness.

“We have cover there with Franklin and DeLaGarza, and the whole preseason we did that so they’ve been playing there throughout,” Arena said. “We didn’t want to predict an injury, but we said if we had an injury, we wanted to be prepared for that.”

As for Landon Donovan, he rejoined the team this week, going through some drills ahead of the match with the Portland Timbers, scheduled for Saturday, April 23.



Redemption for Chad Barrett

Chicago Fire fans to this day still refer to Chad Barrett as a Fire reject, but this reject scored on Sunday to make the partisan crowd at Toyota Park think twice be saying that.

How about "Former Fire Forward" instead?

“We really had to dig down deep,” Barrett told LAGalaxy.com's Larry Morgan. “We were missing a couple of starters. Everybody did a great job.”

After he scored, he raised his arms in the air as if to say, "How do you like me now?"

“That was just kind of trying to hush the crowd a little bit for calling me a Fire reject,” Barrett said. “They were chanting it for like three minutes before I scored my goal. It just felt good to score.”

“When forwards don’t score, they are frustrated,” Arena added. “I think he was a little frustrated, and that’s good. He’s been getting better...he’s getting in a good rhythm.”

Forward Mike Magee agreed with the Galaxy manager's sentiments.

“He had a great road trip," Magee said. "He definitely needed to get a goal, to get that off his back. And especially against his former club, I think, is huge for him. The longer you go without scoring, the harder it is.

“It was good to see him get it finally. It will lead to many more.”

In spite of standing up to the detractors, Barrett naturally wasn't satisfied.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s off a knee or a 30-yard bomb," Barrett said. "It would have been nice to score that goal against Toronto. It didn’t want to go in, but the one in Chicago did.

“I plan on scoring against Portland if I get the chance and keep going from there. I’m a firm believer if you work hard you’ll get tons of chances. You always want to get that first goal. Now that it’s in I can just go on and score more.”


What about Real?

With Jason Kreis's Real Salt Lake 180 minutes away from a possible shot at the FIFA Club World Cup, Bruce Arena put his work with D.C. United in perspective.

D.C. were the first Major League Soccer club to have won the CONCACAF title, back in 1998 with a win over Toluca.

“It was great, but [a] different scenario than it is now," Arena told MLSSoccer.com's Luis Bueno. "We played a championship format. It was a little different, but Salt Lake has gotten good experience in the group play to be prepared for this. They obviously know what’s at stake.”

Two years after D.C. won the CONCACAF Champions Cup in 1998, Los Angeles won it in 2000.

“I don’t think at that point in time anyone kind of understood that we were going to have this type of dry run in the competition,” Arena said. “Now that it’s been such a big gap, I think it will be a great achievement for the league and certainly for Salt Lake.”

A result for Real at Monterrey in the first leg on Wednesday will put the wheels in motion.

“Having the first game away is never easy," Arena said. "I think it’s easier the other way, when you have the first game at home."

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David Beckham Pepsi Ad Is Allegedly Funny, Clever

So Diet Pepsi has a new advertisement campaign that makes me yearn for the days of Ray Charles and the "Uh Huh" girls.

Putting Sofia Vergara in a bikini was a smart move...except for the fact that (apart from half a second) her parachute-sized hat is about all you actually see of her.

David Beckham, on the other hand? Well, hasn't that ship sailed already? If most Americans don't care to see him play his sport, why would we care about him hawking Diet Pepsi, or anything else for that matter? Although this commercial probably kills in England. Personally, I'd rather see that Miller High Life delivery guy than Beckham. He's so sassy!

Now if this was supposed to be some sort of social commentary on celebrity stargazing—the swarms of people are tuned in to Vergara's every tweet but also race to catch a glimpse of Beckham on the pier—the commercial achieved its goal.

But as far as moving their product, I don't think this is an exceptionally great piece of marketing. So you're telling me that people would rather catch a glimpse of David Beckham from afar than buy a Diet Pepsi?

What does that say about Diet Pepsi? How many people in America care enough about Beckham to go to Los Angeles Galaxy games?

Maybe it would have been more clever for Vergara to tweet that Beckham is on the pier but for no one to care so the line for Diet Pepsi actually gets longer. "David Beckham's on the pier? Great. Two Diet Pepsis, please. And take your time. No rush."

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There’s an unwritten code in the laws of the American sports landscape: not paying attention to an event or team, unless they perform well.  

It could be a nice way of saying we’re a nation of bandwagons, fair weather fans, or in terms of soccer, the Eurosnob.

But thanks to Real Salt Lake and their unprecedented run in the revamped CONCACAF Champions League, RSL has now put themselves on the map in the North American soccer landscape, proving how they are the flagship franchise of Major League Soccer and the premier club of the United States. And with their run, they have finally put the Champions League on the map. 

Well before then, their run to MLS Cup 2009 was ruled out as a fluke, consequently leading to harsh criticism that the problem is not the format of the playoffs, it is the fact that we have playoffs to determine champions that only the MLS front office calls “league champions.” 

This past year, Salt Lake has proven to everyone that their MLS Cup run was no chain of good luck, and that they could play consistently. Heck, they probably play some of the most attractive football in MLS. That’s great for the sake of the U.S. and Canada, but this run to the Champions League finals has proven that Salt Lake is a phenomenal team, perhaps the best since the late-90’s D.C. United. 

Yet, as Greg Lalas over at MLSSoccer.com said, should RSL defeat the mighty Monterrey this organization could go down as a legendary club. They’ll win the hearts of the North American soccer fans, and make the American soccer niche proud.  

To win the hearts of the European and South American fans, as well as our fake soccer fans in our bag year (ahem, ignorant Eurosnobs), they’ll need to not only make it to the Club World Cup, but be pitted against the toughest opposition and win.  

Such a instant credible score to MLS could be accomplished in a mere matter of months, and it starts tonight.

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Since its inaugural season in 1996, Major League Soccer has been blessed with a lot of outstanding strikers throughout its history.

As the league enters its 16th season, there is no shortage of offensive firepower across the league with a mixture of established veterans and exciting newcomers.

By examining proven and potential performance, we have ranked the most dangerous XI of strikers in Major League Soccer today.

But who made the cut? Who was unlucky to miss out on the list? Who is No. 1?

Read on to find out...

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There's a video of the newest soccer-specific stadium in the United States floating around the sports world today, after viewers were treated to a first look at Sporting KC's soon-to-be completed arena, Livestrong Sports Park. 

One of the MLS' four expansion teams, Sporting KC will play their home games at the shiny new 18,500 seat stadium on the outskirts of Kansas City. While it's not finished yet, that didn't stop Sporting player Teal Bunbury (who might have the best name in sports history) from giving viewers a quick tour of the facility. 

So far, the results look promising for the stadium. Nice wide open concourses, and what look to be comfortable seats, ring the pitch, and the glass outside gives the stadium a decidedly modern feel to it. 

The pitch itself has been sodded, and Bunbury becomes the first player to set foot on it, kicking a ball around the green space. 

According to the video, the locker rooms will be the most technologically advanced in all of sports, although it's hard to see that now, with bare, semi-finished drywall and a severe lack of lockers, showers or sitting areas. 

It's clear throughout the video that the stadium is still very much a work in progress, as there are massive chunks without seats, the locker rooms need painting and furnishing and the exterior hasn't even been landscaped. Some of the panels of the roof haven't been placed yet, and while there are still two months left to finish, one can't help but wonder if this gleaming new stadium will be ready in time for its June 9, 2011 debut. 

Here's hoping things turn out as promising as they seemed to be in the video, although there's still some question of whether they'll be ready to go on opening night. 

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One of the biggest playoff series this country has ever seen begins on Wednesday night, and very few people are talking about it, or even know what it is. While it features some of the world's greatest athletes, and will be more exciting than a first round NBA playoff game, the majority of sports fans don't even care that it is going on.

I am not talking about anything to do with the Heat or the Lakers, the NFL has not started and Major League Baseball did not shorten its season.

The event that I am talking about comes from the relatively unpopular (only in the United States) sport of soccer.

Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake begins a two-game playoff with Mexican club team Monterrey to determine the winner of the CONCACAF Champions League for this year.

CONCACAF is the governing body for soccer that spans North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Teams contending for this title are taken from the winners of various club leagues across 20 nations.

The prize for the winner is to move to the prestigious FIFA Club World Cup that will be held in Japan later this year. The Club World Cup is a tournament that matches the six winners of continental confederations, and a team from the host nation together to determine the World Club champion.

Real Salt Lake has already made history by becoming the first Major League soccer team to reach the finals. They originally qualified by virtue of their MLS championship in 2009. They now sit as one of the two teams from the 205 possible in this region that can still represent the region in Japan.

To put that into perspective, the Super Bowl champion is one of only 32 teams, the NBA champs and World Series winners are only one of 30 teams each. The 205 teams that Real Salt Lake could represent come from only one of the world's six regions.

The first leg of this historic match will be held on Wednesday night in Monterrey Mexico. The second part of the playoff will be held one week later at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The winner will be determined by the total number of goals scored in the two matches, with goals scored on the road being the first tiebreaker.

Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts described the match as "an opportunity to stamp Real Salt Lake’s presence on the entire world of soccer.” Head coach Jason Kreis added that if the team were to advance to the Club World Cup it would “easily be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

The team from Monterrey, known as the "Rayados," is a club that enjoys a long history of success. Since their beginnings in 1945, they have consistently been one of the top teams in the Mexican first division and have won multiple titles.

Led by 29-year-old Chilean striker Humberto Suazo, this is an aggressive team that brings a relentless attack. They are very proficient in creating scoring chances and putting the ball in the back of the net. In his 45 international appearances, Suazo has scored 18 goals.

Many soccer experts see a lot of similarities between the two teams. Both like to attack the goal, keep possession in the midfield, and have a stifling defense.

Real Salt Lake defender Nat Borchers noticed, “Their style of play is similar to ours...They’re going to match up with our diamond midfield and they’re going to match up with us on top as well. It’s going to be difficult. They’re a very athletic and technically gifted team, so we’re going to have to very aware of the counterattack, of their buildup.”

Judging from the style of play that both of these now elite teams play, these matches have the potential to be high scoring. Real Salt Lake features a strong scoring presence of their own in Fabian Espindola, Alvaro Saborio and although he may not play due to injury, Brazilian newcomer Paulo Jr. They have a strong midfield, and last season's defensive player of the year in Jamison Olave.

Real Salt Lake would like nothing more than a victory or a high scoring draw in Mexico. They would even settle for a one goal loss if they could score at least one on the road. That would set them up well for the second leg at home in Utah where it seems they can not lose. 

Real Salt Lake already has gained the support of soccer fans and players on other Major League Soccer teams. It is rare in sports that fans band together to cheer on a division or conference rival for any event. Just ask how many Red Sox fans are ever happy when the Yankees make it to the World Series.

Nonetheless, support is pouring in from all over the soccer community. The Philadelphia Union was willing to reschedule a match originally set for April 23 to allow more time for Real Salt Lake to focus on the finals, and the league has started an #MLS4RSL campaign on twitter. Over the last few weeks, many current and former MLS players have added support to the cause.

It seems that anyone who knows soccer, knows that this is the biggest series in the history of Major League Soccer. A Real Salt Lake victory would help them and the United States to gain respect and notoriety among the soccer elite. 

Let's just hope that Real Salt Lake can come out victorious and represent the United States and Major League Soccer on club soccer's biggest stage.

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Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy ended their three-game road tilt with five points out a possible nine. While league leaders Real Salt Lake have three games in hand on the G's, LA got a huge boost on Sunday with their 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire.

The win sets the stage for the Galaxy's first encounter with one of the new teams this year, albeit in name only: John Spencer's suddenly-high flying  Portland Timbers on Saturday, April 23 at the Home Depot Center.

“It’s important because we had five of our first seven goals… on the road. Whenever you can get points on the road, it’s important,” Arena told MLSSoccer.com's Luis Bueno. “The three points were critically important. At this stage of the season, with what we’ve dealt with—with injuries and the road games and the situations we’ve had to deal with—and to… have 12 points after seven games isn’t bad.”

The Galaxy manager credited the Chicago victory to their depth, which will be needed once again.

“We didn’t have a lot of guys eligible to play,” Arena said. “Guys stepped up (Sunday) that haven’t been playing regularly like Paolo Cardozo, Miguel Lopez, Mike Stephens and Frankie Hejduk. We’re happy Omar was able to make an appearance; he played well… and obviously the second goal was an important goal.”

“It’s my third or fourth game back and to get a game-winning goal is great, especially getting it off a header. It’s something I worked hard at during the offseason,” said Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez, who played his part in the win. “It’s good to get the game-winner because it’s been a long road trip and we’ve scooped up nine points in five games.”

Aside from depth, the Galaxy won this game due to controlled passing and reduced long balls. Short, controlled passed and timely possession will be needed against a Portland side that did the same thing in home-cooking Chicago and FC Dallas at Jeld-Wen Field this past week.

David Beckham, Juninho and Jovan Kirovski will be available after serving suspensions on Sunday. However, the Galaxy lost Leonardo for the season on Sunday, and team captain Landon Donovan is still nursing inflammation in his knee.

Also questionable is Paolo Cardozo, who also suffered a knock and will be going through scans this week to evaluate his fitness for Saturday at Victoria Street.

A number of capable scorers have stepped up for Portland early this year, namely captain Jack Jewsbury, Jorge Perlaza, Kenny Coooper and Rodney Wallace. All have two goals each.

The Timbers' main provider is Kalif Alhassan, who currently has three assists this year. Alhassan has excellent dribbling ability and can misdirect opposing defenses with his ball movement. Look for the Galaxy's backline of A.J. DeLaGarza, Gonzalez, Todd Dunivant and frankie Hejduk to keep Alhassan at bay.

Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson has a 2-0-1 record to go with a 1.71 goals against average and a 70.6 percent save percentage. His counterpart, LA's Donovan Ricketts, has a 2-0-2 record, a 0.50 GAA and an 80 percent save percentage.

With Beckham back in the lineup, his leadership will be needed as much as better set piece selections. The emergence of Argentinean Miguel Lopez adds another dimension to the Galaxy attack.

Prediction:
All win streaks must come to an end at some time, and for the Portland Timbers, it will end on Saturday at the Home Depot Center. The victory over the Fire has breathed new life into the Los Angeles Galaxy, and this should be where Bruce Arena's club builds on that win.

Los Angeles Galaxy 2, Portland Timbers 1
Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. PT/11:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel.


INS AND OUTS:

Youth Academy Update

Action, action! The Los Angeles Galaxy Youth Academy Under-18s and Under-16s were back in action in the US Soccer Development Academy, and it was not a memorable two weeks to remember.

On Sunday, April 10, the Galaxy Youth Academy took on Arsenal FC at the Home Depot Center. It was a disappointing effort for the Galaxy as both teams fell 2-1.

Alan Rovira scored in the 43rd minute for LA's Under-18s while Justin Dhillon scored in the 11th minute for the Under-16s.

A mixed set of results awaited the Academy on Sunday, April 17 when they hosted Real So Cal.

The Under-18s fought to a 2-2 draw. Eric Gonzalez scored in the 33rd minute for the Young G's, while Matthew Tilley salvaged the split with a 90th minute equalizer.

The Under-16s bounced back from that horrendous effort against Arsenal with a 3-2 victory after racing to a 3-0 lead just into the second half.

Dhillon scored what would be the deciding goal in the 47th minute. Ludwing Vargas opened the proceedings in the 15th minute and Ivan Vasquez added another in the 25th minute of play.

Up next: the Mini Clasicos between the youth academies of the Galaxy and rivals Chivas USA on Saturday, April 30 at Victoria Street.

Kickoff for the Under-18s is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. PT/4:00 p.m. ET while the Under-16s kick off at 3:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. ET.

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"I am the minority group. I am from the poor people. I represent the poor people. I represent the common people of America." - Roberto Clemente

Unbeknownst to many in the United States, soccer has quietly evolved in Puerto Rico for the past few years. While Puerto Rico's Triple B's of baseball, basketball and boxing remain the island's most popular sports, soccer has become part of the ever-evolving Puerto Rican culture.

Back in 2008, the Puerto Rico Soccer League (PRSL) was formed. With the inception of the PRSL, Puerto Rico finally had its first unified soccer league in the island's history. Current teams for the PRSL include Mayaquez FC, Sevilla FC, Puerto Rico United, Caguas Huracan, River Plate Puerto Rico and FC Leones.

The 2011 season will be from April to August. In addition, River Plate Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico United and Sevilla FC will be making their inaugural debut in the United Soccer League's Pro Division—the third tier of soccer in the American soccer pyramid, behind Major League Soccer (first tier) and the North American Soccer League (second tier) in the hierarchy for the 2011 season.

Now in 2011, the North American Soccer League (NASL) and the United Soccer Leagues Pro (USL PRO) have a combination of four Puerto Rican teams playing in their leagues for the 2011 season.

Leading the way is the Puerto Rico Islanders. This team is by far Puerto Rico's most successful team as they currently play in the NASL, the second tier of soccer in the United States soccer pyramid. 

Respected by teams who compete in CONCACAF Champions League, the Islanders have earned the reputation as the "Giant Killers" as they've been able upset the best professional teams in CONCACAF.

Last season, they became the best Division 2 team in North America when they defeated the Carolina RailHawks to become the 2010 USSF Division 2 Pro League champions. They play their home games at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in the city of Bayamón.

Founded in 2007, Puerto Rico United is based in Aguada, Puerto Rico. Playing for both the PRSL and USL Pro, they play their home games in Carolina, PR at the Roberto Clemente Stadium. 

Based in Fajardo, PR, River Plate Puerto Rico also plays their PRSL and USL PRO games at the Roberto Clemente Stadium. Founded in 2007, River Plate achieved success in 2010 when they won the Super Copa DirecTV as they defeated the Puerto Rico Islanders on a 3-0 final score on aggregate after home and away games held at the Juan Ramon Loubriel stadium in Bayamon. 

Founded in 2006, Sevilla FC Puerto Rico is based in Juncos, PR. Currently playing in the PRSL and USL PRO, the team plays its home games at Josué Elevadito González Stadium. 

While it's marvelous to acknowledge the Island's "Soccer Boom," we must also remember to honor the island's past soccer history. One individual who symbolizes Puerto Rico's "soccer history" is Juan "Saso" Tulier. Saso's association with soccer was presented to me by Vivian Padilla-Chapman.

Through a couple of email exchanges and phone conversations, Padilla-Chapman enthusiastically said, "I don't think I've ever met a man who has been more focused on his goal in life. Since my childhood, I knew that Saso spent most of his time, energy, and resources helping young men to be serious about soccer, education, and giving back to their community through the sport.

"He has had many opportunities to move abroad, coach elsewhere, or have more lucrative jobs. He has turned all those down, simply to continue doing what he started as a Puerto Rican soccer player long ago—helping the young make good choices towards a better life. Many of those are now teachers, coaches, businessmen, who continue to promote the same ideals they learned from Saso."

It was 60 years ago when Saso played and later coached the Puerto Rican national team for 28 years. Now his late 70s, Saso continues to coach young men as he tries to help some of them get to college on soccer scholarships. Still in remarkable shape, Saso not only trains his young players, he also physically trains with them. While many may not know of Saso, he is one unknown hero who will leave a legacy of Puerto Rican soccer.

To learn more about this remarkable Puerto Rican, please view this clip.

Hopefully all four teams succeed in the NASL and USL Pro because the greater their success, the greater the possibility of Puerto Rico eventually having a national team qualifying for the World Cup within the next 20 to 30 years.

Cesar Diaz covers soccer for LatinoSports.com. He's also a columnist for USSoccerPlayers.com; your source for American soccer news brought to you by members of the U.S. National Team. Easily accessible, you may reach Cesar at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and at Twitter at @CoveringSoccer.

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We are now five weeks into the 2011 Major League Soccer season, and we have been treated to some great action from across the country. At the top of the list once again is Real Salt Lake, who are primed for even bigger riches ahead with the CONCACAF Champions League Final looming in the distance.

Also on the move are the Portland Timbers, who have finally hit their winning stride this week.

Bleacher Report brings you this week's MLS Power Rankings.

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For those of you that don't follow international soccer, aka, football/futbol, the top leagues in the world, most notably the European top leagues: English Premier League (EPL), Bundesliga (Germany), La Liga (Spain) and Serie A (Italy) for example all practice the system of relegation and promotion of their clubs.

What this means is, if you are a minor league club and you happen to have a good season, usually over the course of a few solid seasons, you will get rewarded by being promoted to the big leagues, literally, the same way a minor league prospect does in baseball. Only in this instance its the entire team.

If it sounds confusing it should to MLS and U.S. born soccer fans as they are one of a few countries—with Australia and Canada being others—that do not use this practice in any of their major sports, but most notably soccer.

Reasons why relegation or promotion wouldn't work in U.S. sports

The problem with this in the U.S. is the minor league systems in a given sport are so far less than the major sport that this would be counter-productive.

It's far easier to keep the Pittsburgh Pirates in Major League Baseball where they can continue to under-achieve and be the butt of all jokes than to actually replace them with a minor league team that may actually do better.

Another reason it doesn't work in the U.S. is we don't crown just one champion in the minor leagues for a given sport, as we have several different leagues (e.g. the International League, the Pacific Coast League in minor league "A" ball).

We don't just have them play head to head and give them them one overall champion the same way "Serie B" does for football in Italy as their second division.

Because we don't crown just one champion, we can't just promote the Columbus Clippers who won the International League title in 2010 to the Major Leagues to replace the Pirates, a perpetually terrible team, because of the fact we don't crown an overall champion.

American sports fans would find it confusing following where their beloved team went even if it was the Pirates or Royals (just so I don't get accused of singling out the Pirates) if suddenly they weren't a major league team because of their years of ineptitude.

We would see massive PNC Park sit nearly vacant (I can hear the "What's the difference from now?" jokes already) if suddenly they were a member of the International League and not the Major Leagues.

They have a hard enough time selling tickets for their pseudo Major League games whose attendance would suffer all the more if they were literally a minor league market, if only temporarily, as soccer clubs are often the time.

Finally, international leagues don't rely on the college level as a substitute the same way American sports do.

For instance, if you want to watch soccer in Italy, Serie A or Serie B is the place to go. Why would you go any lower? Fans are so passionate there that why would they even care to follow anything else?

Which players in their right mind would agree to play on a team or a manager coach it when he knew no one would watch because the informed fans knew the talent was so void?

For those of you familiar with international structures and are still able to follow my argument/logic not only Bravo! but I know what you are thinking "You've missed an obvious developmental level" but I've got it covered.

What you are likely referencing is the U-leagues, i.e. the U-14, U-16-U-18 and so on. This is about as close as it gets in the soccer world to what truly amounts to minor leagues since these are literal minors and there is no chance of their clubs being promoted like in the case of Serie B.

The "U" quite basically stands for "Under" and the number behind it is the age limit of the kids involved in that group (league) so "U-19" allows kids on these teams which comprise this league "the U-19" league, who are under-19 years of age. These are basically the "stars of tomorrow" league the same way one might view an All-Star game or prep watch list in the U.S.

In addition to the lack of collegiate comparable teams like we see in the U.S. is since soccer is often the only show in town for an entire country that is so far and away above anything else athletically in that country, by the time you are 15 you are very likely on one of those U-teams which is basically a fast-track to the national football team if the player is worth anything, in the given country.

Again I'll use Italy as an example. Why would he play soccer at a collegiate level, say at the University of Bologna (aka Universita di Bologna) if he was good enough he'd already be playing for a U-team and soon the Italian National Soccer team (the one that competes in the World Cup every four years or European Championships every two)?

Applying relegation in MLS

Typically how relegation (demotion) works is the three worst teams from a given league are relegated down a level to the top division two league in that same country, called the second division.

At the same time the three best teams from this second division will be promoted to the big league but they will be under intense pressure to perform because they know the fate that awaits them should they fail to meet expectations, that being a return right back where they were which is where no one wants to be of course.

In real-world application terms, the three worst MLS teams right now that would be relegated down if the season ended today would be (based on their records): Chivas USA, the Chicago Fire, and FC Dallas thanks to their last place showings in the current MLS standings which are called a table in international competition and to the rest of the world. 

As you can imagine fans and these clubs take this very seriously.

It should come to no one's surprise that these three clubs are showing some of the poorest attendance at the gate and it wouldn't surprise if Chivas USA in particular ceases to exist soon if they don't turn it around soon.

They simply cannot afford another apathetic season especially when you have not only the L.A. Galaxy doing so well in the market they share.

So okay, Chivas, Chicago, and Dallas are temporarily gone. Who takes their place? For this answer one would look at the NASL table (North American Soccer League) who just revamped their format as the second-tier league in the U.S. soccer pyramid.

Think of them as the American version of Italy's Serie B). The talent doesn't compare but its the best they have so work with me here).

In this league, the Portand Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Montreal Impact are all former members of this league with Montreal actually finishing its last season now before going to MLS permanently next season.

If these teams sound familar they should, not only were they all original 1970's members of the original NASL, but Portland and Vancouver are current MLS clubs who bear the same historic names. It's all part of the unique emphasis on history that MLS utilizes (more on that in a future article) moreso than any other sport, certainly that the U.S. can offer.

Think of this as de-facto promotion, only unlike any other model in the world, no matter how bad they do, none of these three MLS clubs will ever go back down to NASL unless MLS were to fold and these soccer-mad markets would have to find someplace to go.

Nothing against Chicago, Chivas, or Dallas but wouldn't it be more exciting in a sport that could use some publicity and uniqueness that no other American sport offers than the speculation leading up to the embarrassing relegation of a club at the end of the season?

Imagine the SportsCenter coverage this new state-side concept would bring?

By having a few recognizable clubs like Chicago or Chivas down in the lower divisions, they would instantly bring credibility and coverage to those leagues whereas now these leagues are being ignored since we aren't forced to hear about them because they are irrelevant and don't compare.

It would expand the product and create a wider fan base. The reason soccer or any other league can't do this in the U.S. is the inferior product our minor league systems provide compared to the top level as well as the money disparity involved.

The Detroit Lions would be an Arena League team, and the Minnesota Timberwolves would be playing in the NBA D-League to which naysayers would agrue they are on nightly basis already.

Benefits of promotion and relegation

Promotion and relegation demands excellence and accountability as well as bringing intrigue amid speculation of who could be next to be rewarded or punished. Relegation would cause temporary markets to be lost yet new markets to be gained as they would constantly be in-flux.

Can you imagine the buzz if the Indianapolis Indians, the Triple-A team of the Pittsburgh Pirates, were suddenly slated to be a big-league market thanks to their success on the diamond and in the International League this season?

Suddenly Indianapolis is a Major League market, and suddenly Indiana, a state which otherwise will never get an MLB team, has one.

Think of the marketing possibilities, think of the coverage, think of the buzz. On the other hand, Pittsburgh would officially be a minor league market that next season.

If you are asking how the fans and players involved handle the fluid situation, I can only answer they know no other way so they are used to it as staus quo. Could this system ever work in American sports? An interesting thought indeed.

Information and references from ESPN.com, Wikipedia, and MLS Soccer.com directly contributed to the content of this article.

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