The MLS is making the right move by continuing to expand the MLS Playoff system.

In anticipation of some of your comments, let me make these concessions

• The MLS still hasn’t “gotten it right.” They know that, we know that. Much more established leagues like the NFL continue to tinker with their system, and we aren’t even a couple decades old yet.
• The balanced schedule and the chance for a West team to win the East and vice verse are bizarre. Our league is still small enough that these sorts of playoff systems will continue to be a bit hinky for the next few years.

That being said, here’s why I believe the MLS is right to continue to focus on the playoff system

• Americans love playoffs. In case you haven’t noticed, our league is located in the US of A. While recent news of MLS games getting televised in England at 2am is nice (and weird), for the MLS to succeed Americans need to show up and fork over some hard earned greenbacks. And while some MLS fans wait for the Eurosnobs to turn of FoxSoccer, take off their Man U Jerseys and don an MLS jerseys, and come to their local park…I’m done waiting. They’s come if they come, but we need to understand that we are an American league. Americans already have enough cultural hurdles to cross with soccer (running clock, offsides), a playoff-less soccer league is needless and unhelpful.
• Americans love underdogs. The idea of the Rapids making a run from the back to capture the cup is like Apple Pie and red, white, and blue. These sorts of storylines are exciting as fans, and give us just a taste of the excitement of the major European Cups
• The MLS deserves the benefit of the doubt. Crucify me for this if you want, but the fact that the leadership has steered us through nearly two decades and several recessions means they are continuing to strike a fairly effective balance. This doesn’t mean I won’t complain about some of their decisions, or point out the still-remaining weaknesses of our playoff system. But at the end of the day, Garber & Co. are getting it right.

Major League Soccer (MLS) Don Garber, MLS Playoffs

What are your expectations for the Rapids this year? The Rapids came within a minute of launching into the MLS playoffs last year. With the momentum of a returning coach, the continued leadership of Pablo Mastroeni, and locking in key young players to multi-year deals, the Rapids have solidified their team for the next several years. Read more…

Rapids News and Analysis coach, Gary Smith, MLS Playoffs, Pablo Mastroeni, playoffs