The long and short of Garber’s MLS CUP Address
Even a tense game going to extra time will be a decent showcase of MLS, so long as the game isn’t a foul fest. MLS did little to foul up the progress being made.
The excitement for a free flowing MLS Cup is palpable. It could actually break the stereotype of the tense cup final. Both teams seem pretty set in their ways, so an exciting goal filled MLS Cup final to top off the most exciting MLS season is in the cards. And it would be fitting.
Garber made note and reference to several stats and Opta to point out how exciting this season has been. MLS saw the goals scored numbers climb to the highest in years, and most of any other league. Major League Soccer is a top five ‘international league in the world’ for excitement, now that’s a claim that can be backed by a knowledge fan.
That noise from your Euro-snob soccer friend probably sounds a lot like, MLS does have more teams, and shoddy defense dunnit?
To which any MLS fan since the Mutiny were good and paying Kyle Beckerman can reply, “Zlatan does that to everyone.”
In the DC metro area, Rooney can be an acceptable substitute. Anyone else not named Josef Martinez need not apply for mention.
But a one point Zlatan, Rooney, Martinez, and what’s left of Beckerman’s hair were all academy kids. MLS did a fine job showing academy kids there is a path to the stars through MLS, academy to first team right in deed. Well, some.
Garber emphasized the good some, as four out of the top five teams in minutes played by academy products made the playoffs. After more fancy stats and a wave of the Don Garber ring, MLS fans can be assured there will be more Alphonso Davies and Tyler Adams coming online in short order.
And those sales will likely elicit some MLS Calvin-ball cartoons with a transfer budget, a sell of fee, and cash to be accounted for later, if needed. Unless your team is owned by Kronke or Kraft, your team will probably find a one to carry over to buy that needed player in the future.
Okay, add Philadelphia to the list but recognize the youth movement. Look at the Union’s backline. The Union made the playoffs, with CJ Sapong as a main attacker. Trust the Process Philadelphia, still featuring Jim Curtin.
So don’t fret the shady stuff, or get too greedy Red Bulls. What, you want a bigger Red Bull team to pay more for Adams? Why, so some poor lady in MLS accounting has to overwork an intern?
Just take the sort money, put the surplus into training grounds. Every other team is doing it, or is the Chicago Fire. Garber the Don had to address that dire situation, but did suppress those flames of fury at Hauptman quite well. Section 8 shouldn’t be so kind. Garber’s answer to Ricketts building a USL venue was all but disappointing. There was hints of a sale earlier this season, but Hauptman is still way too uninvolved as the main involved ownership party.
Those academy kids are making real progress though. Academy products this year scored more goals, had more assist, and logged more minutes played than any previous MLS season.
Commissioner Garber is not only leading MLS as it continues fostering talent on the field. The new teams joining have great cultures and new stadiums coming. The front offices of FC Cincinnati and in Nashville have been top notch throughout the expansion process.
Garber tried to preempt the Beckham question by mentioning the years of Beckham questions, but did allow the team is a full go and will kick a ball in anger in a few years.
MLS will be the first pro league in Austin, and we move along quickly. If anyone heard that owner’s name, don’t mention it.
Yes indeed, this was the most successful season even for MLS from the top brass down to the young academy kids. Even have prospects of expansion, both domestically and internationally. Games with Liga MX and cooperation with the Canadian Premier League will ensure MLS keeps trending upwards.
Garber even gets to boast MLS has a seat on a world leagues forum now. So if there are no more questions, after a long season, and having now read an even longer summary of a press conference, it has been, in short, the best MLS season ever.