Welcome back to another edition of SRFC Question of the week. Based on the response last week, this was a popular idea. This week, the FCC announcement made us wonder what other changes USL has in store for us.
You guys know how this works; leave us your answer in the comments section.
Besides going to 29 teams, what other changes in USL do you see coming next year.
Josh - @josh_beeman
After I looked into my crystal ball, I saw that the league will continue its trend of decreasing the grind of travel, lengthening the schedule and spreading out the games. I also saw that more MLS2’s go forward with what Los Dos did with Ryo Fujii, signing a promising prospect to their USL team rather than having them play NCAA ball, while also helping pay their way through college. Finally, the standard of play in the league will continue to improve, making the league more competitive.
Kyle - @kylejkepner
I see a much more balanced schedule and potentially improved travel and recovery situations. Rules clarifying the loan relationship between a USL club and its MLS affiliate can, and should, be on the agenda during the next AGM. The list of best practices for operating an MLS-owned club in USL will continue to grow, and as such, fan engagement and performance on the field should improve on average.
This week’s special guest is none other than the former host of Reckless Challenge’s PROcast, former president of the Steel Army, and all around great guy, Mr. Ben Cole: @_bencole.
I think one thing I’d like for USL is a more balanced schedule. It’s all well and good for Pittsburgh and Harrisburg to grow their rivalry, but do they have to play four times? With that schedule, I’d really like to see teams from both conference play more. Top teams like Louisville and Colorado Springs going at it in the regular season would be great to see how they could stack up in a potential final.
Now it’s your turn. Leave your answer on the comment section. Do it. Don’t be shy. You’ll feel good about yourself.
One thing I hope to see is less substitutions. 5 is ridiculous, it gives the game a flow similar to a rec league game.
Would like to see more assertive refs who could take control of games. There has been a noticeable increase in time wasting tactics this year and while I am aware that refs do have the option of adding time to the game, to me, it is more about the disruption to flow. The constant action is what attracted me to soccer in the first place and this season there seems to be very little desire to play rather than sit back and wait for counter opportunities.
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As Dan noted, the 5 subs rule has to end. There are 3 subs in a soccer game, those are the rules we all grew up with, and every other professional league plays by. If USL wants to be D2, it needs to show it by shedding it’s “develoment” league status.
Along with that comes higher quality referees. I’m no expert on what it takes to improve them, but these are professionals who should be held to a higher standard.
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Improved refereeing is a must these officials are consistently inconsistent. I would also like a more balanced schedule. I know travel costs can be prohibitive but the way it’s set up now is almost like there are 2 different leagues east and west.
I’ll compare to the nba. It seems every year at least one team from the west is left out of the playoffs even though they have a much better record than several teams on the east making the playoffs. I’m just not a fan of 2 separate conferences that don’t play each other except for a few exceptions. As of right now there are only 3 teams in the east with more points than the 7th ranked team in the west.
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Duplicate post
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Definitely need better refereeing the only thing they are consistent at is being inconsistent.
A more balanced schedule I hate that my team plays nobody from the east conference.
Also by having 2 conferences with equal number of teams making the playoffs is an issue for me as well. I’ll compare to the nba. Every year there is at least one team in the west conference that misses the playoffs but has a better record than several east coast teams that are in the playoffs. Basically letting a worse team in the playoffs because they happen to play in a weaker conference.
As of right now in the USL standings there are only 3 teams in the east that have more points than number 7 in the west. So 3 east coast teams with worse record would make the playoffs because they play in a weaker conference.
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