MLS is Back: 3 problems tournament must overcome

2. A lack of atmosphere

While MLS still has a long way to go to catch up with the atmospheres of football around the world, especially in England, Europe and South America, in comparison to other North American sports, it is a huge selling point.

More from MLS Multiplex

• Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
• Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
• USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
• De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
• Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States

The experience of an MLS match is a unique aspect of the league when compared to its counterparts, and the sports that it is competing against to attract supporters from the same markets. This has always been a key characteristic of the league, and it is why many younger fans are attracted to the game. They are inspired by the passion.

In Orlando, however, matches will be played behind-closed-doors. This is necessary in the circumstances, but it will significantly subdue the atmosphere of the matches, as has already been noticed in the Bundesliga and other sporting events around the world.

Where the Bundesliga, though, can still produce an entertaining affair, MLS’ substantial drop in quality makes it much more difficult. It is not inconceivable that the league produces an extremely poor product that is then televised to the nation with no other sports to watch. It is a chance to explosively grow the league, yes, but it could backfire.