The end of March not only marks the start of the Major League Baseball season, but also the start of Major League Soccer.
This weekend kicked off the MLS’ 15th season. Originally, this season looked over before it had even started. At the end of last season, the collective bargaining agreement between the players union and the league ended and negotiations looked bleak, as neither side could agree on the final details. Then at the 11th hour, with the aid of a government negotiator, the two sides struck a deal.
For the MLS, the no longer impending lockout gives the league the opportunity to rise from the ashes and onto the main stage. This year, the league adds another team, opens two soccer specific stadiums and will hold America’s attention in the build up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The Philadelphia Union begins play in 2010 as the league’s newest expansion club. Last year’s expansion team, the Seattle Sounders, experienced a lot of success, winning the U.S. Open and making the conference semi-finals. More important than their on the field success was that they averaged the most fans per game, with an average of 30,943. The league is hoping to have similar, if not better, results in Philadelphia, which has a larger media market than Seattle.
Along with Philadelphia, the New York Red Bulls will both open a soccer specific stadium this year. PPL Park in Philadelphia will have a capacity of 18,500 fans, while Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., holds a capacity crowd of 25,000. Both stadiums offer a perfect venue for their respective clubs to gain attention in their communities. Not only that, but the stadiums also provide each team with an opportunity to create an atmosphere that will help soccer climb to the mainstream of American sports.
This summer, the world will gather in South Africa for the World Cup and the MLS will be represented well. USA will draw the most of the American league housed players. Nine players from the MLS are predicted to be picked by coach Bob Bradley, including international star Landon Donovan. Other potential players could include Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas) and Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew). Following the 2002 World Cup, the MLS experienced a surge in popularity and with a strong showing in this year’s big tournament, things could be on the up and up for the league.
There are still international stars making an impact on the MLS and drawing large crowds and getting fans excited. The biggest star that could be on the way over to the states is Spanish international Raul Gonzalez. Gonzalez currently plays for Real Madrid in La Liga, but is a big burden on the club’s payroll and is slowly being passed on the depth chart by younger players. Gonzalez is currently in negotiations with New York. There, he could join Joel Lindpere, who is originally from Joel Estonia and is making a splash in the MLS.
Other internationals that are now considered regulars in the MLS are the Swedish national Freddie Ljungberg, who played an instrumental role in helping Seattle to their successful first season, and of course David Beckham. Beckham did suffer a torn Achilles tendon recently, and it is unclear when he will be back on the soccer field. Despite his playing career possibly being over, Beckham has a clause in his contract with the MLS that gives him the ability to own an expansion club in the near future. If and when Beckham takes advantage of the option, the team is sure to draw large numbers and have a few stars playing for it.
Although the MLS almost lost out on the start of its 15th season, the league will kick off as planned. It will not only continue on as is the norm, but it will begin the season with many things going for it. This season has the potential to be the best in league history and may draw enough attention to bring it up to the level of some of the other major sports leagues.
You can reach this writer at sports@theeagleonline.com.
