www.footsmoke.com

Soccer has come a long way in America, but the MLS can still not compete with the excitement and fan devotion that exists in the foreign leagues. Part of soccer-s problem in America is that it is not popular; the majority of the stadiums are empty when MLS games are being played. This does not mean the MLS lacks quality and skilled players; there are many high-quality players, and during the off-season they often find themselves playing for teams in Europe. However, without American enthusiasm and devotion it does not matter how many high profile players are playing in the MLS, the league cannot compete with baseball or football, let alone the leagues in Europe.

The experiment to bring David Beckham to the Galaxy was a bid to increase the popularity of the sport in America. It failed miserably. People tuned in for his debit, and that was it. However, in the last World Cup, the underdog American team made a startling and unexpected run. Perhaps the MLS can build on that success. If not, the great players in the MLS will be playing their entire season in the foreign leagues. What athlete wants to play to an empty stand?

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