MLS: 10th in World

[Jntg4]

Average Attendance:
1. Bundesliga: 42,101
2. Premier League: 35,283
3. La Liga: 29,128
4. Primera (MEX): 26,722
5. Serie A: 24,031
6. Primera (ARG): 19,843
7. Ligue 1: 19,650
8. Eredivisie: 19,116
9: J League 1: 18,428
10. Major League Soccer: 17,870
11. Championship: 17,388
12. Serie A: 14,839
13. Bundesliga 2: 14,539
14. Scottish Premier League: 13,677

 

[Jntg4]

:yeah: J League going down next year!

 

[giaco]

I'd be interested to see what each league's average would look like if they took out the top and bottom clubs to give a more accurate reflection of the true league average. As you may know, the highest of the high and the lowest of the low can severely disfigure and mis-represent the leagues attendance figures anywhere.

 

[Jntg4]

I'd be interested to see what each league's average would look like if they took out the top and bottom clubs to give a more accurate reflection of the true league average. As you may know, the highest of the high and the lowest of the low can severely disfigure and mis-represent the leagues attendance figures anywhere.

Ya, that would also be interesting. We'd be lower for sure though, losing Seattle would do more bad for our number than losing (presumably San Jose?) would do good.

 

[Shawon0Meter]

I actually like soccer but it's hard to watch Premier League games and national team games and then watch the less skilled and slowed down pace of MLS. I dunno..maybe I'll get more into it eventually.

 

[AE23]

I actually like soccer but it's hard to watch Premier League games and national team games and then watch the less skilled and slowed down pace of MLS. I dunno..maybe I'll get more into it eventually.

bingo. though Ill say that in the playoffs, the level of play in the MLS really steps up and is much more enjoyable to watch cause, its the better teams.

 

[Jntg4]

bingo. though Ill say that in the playoffs, the level of play in the MLS really steps up and is much more enjoyable to watch cause, its the better teams.

No, Playoffs suck this year because the Fire aren't in it. :tongue:

 

[giaco]

I actually like soccer but it's hard to watch Premier League games and national team games and then watch the less skilled and slowed down pace of MLS. I dunno..maybe I'll get more into it eventually.

See, I can understand that--but you have to take it with a grain of salt. The Premier League is the best of the best established players that cost the most to bring in. National team games represent the top footballers in the world from their respective countries. So I could see why watching a league that doesn't have as much of....well, most everything would take a while to get used to. But the idea that I always maintain is that it's not like you're cheating on your International side by watching and rooting for your local team. And without the support of the soccer community, it is impossible that the level of play here stateside will increase as quickly as it will with that support.

So it may not be the prettiest play or the best players in the world, but they are your local side, and they work their socks off every game to make you proud--even if you don't watch them. I've known several players personally, and the fact that they are ok with talking to fans shows another dimension that you just don't get anywhere else (or in many other sports, for that matter). It is nice to know that your support is appreciated by both the athletes, organisation, and the league--especially when MLS is so young in this country in an already crowded sporting landscape.

So yes, give it some time--you will see the level of play increase over the years as I have seen since the league's first year. Trust me, it has gotten better from where it was (thank god).

:fire:

 

[giaco]

bingo. though Ill say that in the playoffs, the level of play in the MLS really steps up and is much more enjoyable to watch cause, its the better teams.

I can't say it's the 'better teams', I can say it is the teams that were able to scrap together the points over the season that made it in. the Fire were arguably one of the teams no one would have wanted to make the playoffs based on when they caught fire towards the end (pun intended). But they didn't. I can safely say that the fire would have beaten Columbus, Colorado, Dallas, Philly, and perhaps another team or two (like RSL or Houston) napping had they made it. I don't think they would have won, but they would have certainly put in a respectable shift in this season's playoffs.

But I take your meaning--playoffs are exciting because you can almost be guaranteed that everyone is fighting every minute and every play of the game. It is clearly more passionate football than some of the regular season snoozefests we've all seen.

 

[Jntg4]

:yep:

MLS has done great as a franchise, with there being 5 other major leagues in the US and Canada alone to fight against... and now it is not only the 6th major league (yes, there are 6 major leagues), but the 4th highest attended (behind NFL, MLB, CFL). That's quite an accomplishment and something other soccer leagues never had to do.