Throughout the years there has been many opinions on the MLS from numerous managers and broadcasters around the league. We will take a look at the MLS as a corporation and contemplate on individual Franchises that create the basis of the league structure. No matter what your opinion is of the MLS it has been a quite successful in recent times and is continuing to grow each season with different Franchises wanting to join the league. The MLS was established in 1993 as the basis for the subsequent years world cup finals, this was a pledge that was made to FIFA if the US were given the world cup finals. It was considered that soccer would increase steadily as it has great competition from more recognised sports in the US market, but this league would present it with a stiff foundation of where to begin. Every franchise started as a Franchise For Sale prospect across cities in America, considerable amounts of cash was provided by local sponsors and companies to get the Franchises working and to form a Home Based Franchise for each main city.
The very first game got underway in 1996 and the MLS comprised a mediocre ten Home Based Franchise that were purchased by local sponsors and companies as a Franchise For Sale prospect. The attendances for the games were somewhat adequate and the general forcast looked decent. But, at the start, the sport never truly took off and the quality on the field was relatively poor, this joined with the clubs not being competitive with each other steadily put pay to attendance averages. A Home Based Franchise would struggle with the long distance travel and expenses that the league managed at the beginning, so the Franchises declined over time.
After the 2002 world cup where the US squad go to the quarter-final point there was a an improvement in the standing of the game. There was now a brand new head in charge of developing the MLS into a major product for the Franchises and under this regime the league started to acquire top talent from around the world.
The footballing quality on the pitch still remains below the standard located at a top European league but the sum of talent that is now in the MLS, whether it be for the contracts or lifestyle, is increasing. A Franchise For Sale in Toronto is now obtainable and this enlarged the leagues fascination to Canada, where soccer is more recognised.
We now take a direct look at the New England Revolution team and how it has grown in the past few years to become one of the most recognised Franchises in the US.
The New England Revolution takes its name from the north-eastern district of the United States, which is recognised as New England – Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Previous clubs from this district have employed the New England name too, like the NFLs New England Patriots. The Revolution name is a reference to the American Revolution/War for Independence, which started in this area of the country. The club is widely referred to as “The Revs” by both followers and the regional press.
The club had little on-field success until the arrival of Liverpool FC legend Steve Nicol as head coach. Since he took over, the squad has been to every Eastern Conference championship game, winning four out of six.
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April 30, 2010
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