MLS Giving Serious Thought To Calendar Change
Can this finally happen and make all our leagues move toward the International Calendar?
For a very long time, we have had these internet discussions and hung around the bars of many cities in the United States about how the game can improve and be better within Major League Soccer. We all know that the number one topic of discussion is and will always be about Promotion and Relegation.
That is one of the topics that continues to float around, because there are more issues than many will either admit to or care about. Of course, the roster rules, acronyms GAM, TAM, DP, and more, as well as the single entity, continue to be a problem, along with the extreme salary cap.
Now, one issue is having a huge discussion within MLS Owners. That is the possibility of a schedule change going from what we currently have to align with the FIFA International Calendar, from Fall to Spring. The conversations are starting to get bigger, and the interest is getting hotter.
During the MLS All-Star Game at the Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, MLS Commishioner Don Garber held a press conference before the match began and before he had his interview on MLS Season Pass through Apple TV. The question was asked, and here is what he said.
"If it's going to happen, it's gonna happen after the 2026 World Cup. When you have a league for 30 years, that's based on a basic premise to set the schedule. Making this change is seismic. It’s not something we should do lightly. We obviously have teams across multiple climate zones, multiple time zones, unlike any other league in the world, and if we do make the change, we’re not gonna go back to that decision.
We continue to evaluate the potential for a transition to the FIFA international match calendar. We’re not making any announcements today, but we continue to do an enormous amount of work with our fans, with our partners, with all of our chief soccer officers, and with our clubs to get ourselves closer to the point we’re able to make that decision, but we believe that that alignment is something that makes sense."
But the main question some are asking Don Garber is Why make this change? Why should they make themselves play the same way the rest of the world does, except the Scandinavian countries or those leagues that have two separate seasons instead of one big season?
“There are a number of key benefits to it. Aligning with the world standard is important for our brand as we try to continue to engage as one of the most influential leagues in the world. We want to align to be able to be even more engaged on the player transfer market. This year, by year-end, we could have $150 million in player sales. Compare that to where we were years ago? Imagine what that will be when we’re aligned on the international calendar?
We also have our most important games in the busiest part of the calendar, right? And I think where we are today in the Fall or winter might be very different from when the league was founded. The league continues to have its cup later and later and later, later in December, and that is a challenge that has got to be addressed.
And then very importantly, how do we ensure that when we make that decision, our facilities are ready for it, our fans are ready for it, and our corporate partners are ready for it? So I would rather get it right and take our time than get it wrong and do it quickly. It takes a long time when it comes to something like your schedule.”
I agree with Don Garber, this should be taken seriously, and there is no way that MLS should rush this at all. This is one of those moments that the league needs to know that we need to break away from the typical North American Sports League setup and go with the global game.
If that means to take these steps and slowly change the game to reach normalcy of a true soccer league, or soccer leagues, then we all win, and all of us will be headed in the right direction. Until that happens, we will be stuck in the same rut like always.
Now, the biggest question that no one will ask is not just MLS thinking about making this move, but what about the USL and their leagues like NISA, and the open division leagues in USL League 2, NPSL, The League For Clubs, and the many others that will also be affected?
For one, I believe it would make everyone feel better about going to a traditional competition calendar. Plus, the dates for other competitions like the US Open Cup, CONCACAF Champions Cup, and the USL's Jagermeister Cup will be scheduled with more clarity. While there have been rumors of a winter break happening, that can also be good.
That way, there will be no interference from the College Bowl Games, the NFL Playoffs, and the Super Bowl, where the entire country is watching. Then the bigger question will be how we will have no domestic soccer, between the end of the season in 2026, till we get to the new season that starts in August of 2027?
This is where I may have a solution. While it's only temporary, it should be considered. Have all the MLS CLubs play a short season, with no playoffs, and play your opponents within your own conference. 16 Matches Played, Eight at Home and Eight on the Road, with the extra match being a rivalry match. from February 27th till June 12th.
The clubs that won their places in the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup will still play those games, only the US Open Cup, Jagermeister Cup & the Leagues Cup should be suspended. Then take the summer off, get ready for training camp, and then begin a brand new league season in August of 2027.
Now, when certain MLS Clubs can qualify for the 2028 Champions Cup, use the short season points of 2027, then add the first half of the 2027-28 season from August till December before Christmas comes, add the points to give those MLS Clubs their top nine spots for the Continental club tournament.
Once everything is back in order, we can restore the other tournaments to give those proper spots in the Champions Cup, which would be the best thing to do. I was originally thinking of using the Two Teams of MLS Next Pro to use the MLS Stadiums and give the players a long break, but that wouldn't be a good idea as everyone would be very rusty to start the new season.
If this is the first step of finally getting to that promised land, then thank goodness, there is some common sense coming. What all of us need to understand is we can't get there in a hurry, it will take some time, and yes, some growing pains and patience as well. We will get there, but until we do, enjoy the current season.
IF it happens I think MLS give teams a break until late January. A mini-preseason in February and Leagues Cup will be March-May with a game a week. For those eliminated in March...good luck ramping up after a 4 month break. If USL ever makes the jump replace Leagues with Jagermeister Cup with an extended group stage.
I'm more and more convinced the only reason MLS is doing this is because it's the last hope for them staying on Apple TV before Apple exercises the out in the contract. They can talk potential money made on transfers, but that's all it is, potential.
USL has only talked, but without first control of their stadiums I'm not entirely sure how long it will be for them to ramp up to fall/spring. I certainly don't see 27 or even 28. Call me a pessimist but I'm more a realist.
The biggest loser in the flip would be the summer leagues. Unless they go full adult amateur and not rely on college kids to fulfill fixtures it's going to be extremely difficult for them. We're already seeing teams losing players around playoff time because of when schools want them back for their fall season. What it will definitely do is separate those who can from those who can't. As for the amateur leagues, are they going to want to flip their calendars or keep the schedules they currently hvae?
The US Open Cup would become the 2nd casualty in this (which MLS doesn't care about). I can see an crammed calendar flip year from Jan-May (maybe the final first week in June) with the amateur qualification in June-July for the following year's competition, which can start sometime in October Not ideal when the swap is happening, but it would benefit this competition more because the amateur qualifiers can go right to the first round without having to wait over the winter before round 1..
The timing of the winter break is interesting and postseason is going to be curious because to me the postseason has to coincide with Memorial Day weekend to give players all of June and the first part of July off to ramp up preseason for an August start date.
The other thing with going to the fall/spring calendar is not getting lost in the shuffle of other leagues people already follow. While I'd like to see it, I get it isn't that cut and dry a decision to do.
I have already lost interest in MLS. Not as the result of any philosophical reasons. I just drifted away from the league and the league drifted away from me.
If the USL or MLS move to the international schedule, I strongly believe that I will drift away from both lt more.
I’m just not feeling that. I’m sure that a lot of people are but I’m not in that camp.
In the end it comes down to the revenue so both will do what they and their sponsors and broadcasters want.