US Soccer Pyramid

Does anyone think that US soccer development would benefit from a pyramid system of interconnected leagues like they have in the UK? I think it might give a lot more players a chance to develop with more teams fighting for promotion / relegation to MLS.

I'd think there might be a decent number of cities who could build a "minor" league team especially in the south and southwest.

The US really needs to build the quality of play/players within MLS first. They are heading in the right direction with Dempsey, Bradley, Defoe, Villa, etc.

Until there is enough quality depth here, I think the league would suffer when FC Dallas goes down and the San Antonio Scorpions come up. As the league is expanding, would you as a potential owner want to invest millions of dollars in infrastructure like a stadium with the real prospect of being regulated your first year? Imagine the attendance drop, TV money lost, etc.

I just don't see this as being an option anytime soon.

They could start off by running an FA Cup style tournament where lower division teams compete against Premier League teams.

TEK2000 wrote:They could start off by running an FA Cup style tournament where lower division teams compete against Premier League teams.

They do this already in the US Open Cup. FCD just played the SA Scorpions last week and won 2-0

I guess that shows how much I follow US pro soccer.

Oops!

In theory, absolutely. We do use a pyramid system to some extent, but I think there is a great deal of disconnect within that system. It's nothing like the systems of our foreign counter parts. In order for the "true pyramid system" to work you have to have multiple clubs and leagues working cohesively to build quality teams & players. There are also multiple leagues and teams flowing through to try to get to the first division. There is a lot more to lose or gain when team promotion, and relegation are at stake. For that to work you have to first build a league and atmosphere which is the pinnacle of the sport. When you consider where the U.S. is coming from compared to the rest of the world, we are truly still in our infancy with regards to the development of our "top league".
Our youth and adolescent development is an entirely different problem all together. I think we could benefit if though if the powers that be, both young and old, get on the same page.
$.02 LOL