If MLS flips its calendar, USL better follow- otherwise PRO/REL might flop

It's very hard to do PRO/REL properly with misaligned transfer windows

I’ve been a long-time advocate for calendar change in US Soccer. I’ve argued you cannot do promotion and relegation properly on the current calendar, an argument I advocated at the NASL (who did plan to flip to a fall/spring calendar if the 2018 season had ever been played) and know USL understood at one point as well. That’s why personally I am shocked it appears to be MLS, historically the least progressive and most risk-averse of soccer entities in the US that appears ready to make the jump first.

Whenever I would bring up the issue on social media, I was roundly mocked. It was worse than being a strong PRO/REL advocate. Heck it was probably worse than being an advocate for cancer or war. Nothing seemed to inflame soccer people on social media (particularly fans from Minnesota for whatever reason) more than this discussion. Yes many US Soccer fans get defensive when PRO/REL is mentioned but you could have the discussion. With calendar change you could not even raise the issue - perhaps because the defenses were so illogical and based largely on emotion or regional biases.

Having worked in NASL when we had SO MANY matches impacted by weather (one season, Fort Lauderdale had over 35% of its matches rescheduled or face some sort of weather delay, another season Tampa Bay had close a quarter of its matches that either rescheduled or postponed, and Carolina, now North Carolina FC generally had similar problems though the numbers weren’t as dramatic as our Florida teams) and then working at the club level where so many training sessions were impacted by summer weather and acknowledging the shifts in climate that are obvious to anyone who with functioning critical thinking skills, it was logical. Yes, Minnesota gets cold in winter but that can be scheduled around. Canada gets cold too, but as US-based leagues, we should put US clubs and business interests first I always thought (RE: Ottawa and Edmonton in NASL always felt we could schedule them effectively and give them a block of home games when it was warmer there…and as I recently learned now summer in Ottawa might as well be summer in Florida so maybe calendar change could have worked there!!!).

The spring-to-fall structure that has served the leagues decently for its formative years, with MLS and USL playing in lots of rented facilities (as we did in NASL) but as US Soccer matures and seeks to establish itself as a global player, it’s time to seriously consider flipping the script. The benefits of a fall-to-spring calendar are clear and compelling. And we’ve already seen the benefits on the women’s side in the USL Super League (USL S) as the alignment of transfer windows has worked well for the league. Players and fans in Spokane didn’t freeze to death with this calendar…that must be a shock for some of those in Minnesota who used to use apocalyptic arguments to push back on me having the audacity to merely suggest we shift our calendar.

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Aligning with the Global Transfer Market facilitating PRO/REL

The most significant and immediate benefit of a calendar change is seamless integration with the global soccer ecosystem and the possibility of Pro/Rel then working. The current schedule creates major headaches for player transfers. When the European transfer window opens in January, USL and MLS is in the middle of its offseason. Likewise, when the summer window opens, the USL and MLS seasons are in full swing. This misalignment makes it difficult for USL or MLS clubs to acquire top-tier talent from abroad without disrupting their season and equally challenging to sell their best players to international clubs without a massive financial hit. MLS owners now seem to get this, hence why they are talking about flipping the calendar…but will USL owners and the league office quite get this? I am not sure yet. USL HQ did understand this in the Jake Edwards years, but I am not sure they quite comprehend this now.

A fall-to-spring schedule would change everything. USL and MLS would be able to participate fully in the primary summer transfer window, allowing it to compete for and attract players at the same time as major European leagues. When the January window opens, USL & MLS would be in its winter break, making it the perfect time for clubs to offload players or bring in new talent. This synchronization would make both USL and MLS a more respected and fluid participant in the world's most important player market.

But add in PRO/REL which USL is focusing on implementing in 2028, I do not see a conceivable way to do P/R properly with misaligned windows, because teams that go down need to sell players and retool and sides that go up need to buy. And you cannot do that effectively with a self-contained player market.

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Prioritizing Player Development, Health and Performance

Currently teams in the US are forced to play and train through the brutal summer months, with matches often taking place in oppressive heat and humidity across the country. This not only affects the quality of play dramatically (I am not an MLS apologist by any means but have always said you cannot compare MLS’ quality to European league because we play in the hottest months of the year here, while they play in the coldest months of the year there) but also poses serious risks to player health, leading to increased fatigue and a higher likelihood of injuries. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Brutally hot conditions in training leading to increased injuries or lighter training sessions that impede player development and impact fitness in such a way, injuries become more common.

A fall-to-spring calendar would largely mitigate this problem. The most intense and critical matches would be played in the cooler months of the spring and fall, with a mid-season break during the coldest months of winter in the northern states and the hottest months of summer in the south (again no disrespect to Canada for those sides in MLS, but these are US-based leagues).

This schedule would allow players to perform at their peak for more of the season, elevating the overall quality and spectacle of the league. It would also give players a much-needed break in July and August, when many international tournaments like the Gold Cup and Copa América are held.

And I believe player development would improve if your playing in more optimum conditions. Besides right now the seasons are misaligned with the youth soccer calendar IN THIS COUNTRY!!!

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Facilities

The current calendar is a legacy of NFL owners in the original NASL wanting to fill their stadiums in the off-season. It basically serves no real footballing purpose. Several MLS teams still groundshare with NFL franchises and multiple USL clubs groundshare with whomever, including things like Minor League Baseball, College Football and Cricket (yes, Oakland looking at you now). A flipped calendar may not make venue acquisition any easier but it will not be harder contrary to what the critics say.

And perhaps it can finally force EVERYONE to be in a venue they control.

Bottom Line

While the logistics are complex, and USL has enough trouble scheduling properly as is, the long-term benefits of a fall-to-spring calendar far outweigh the short-term difficulties. Aligning with the global game, improving player welfare, and making PRO/REL really work far outweighs any logistical hurdles. If MLS does it, as we now fully expect, USL better follow…or find it increasingly difficult to be competitive with all their big plans.