Since MLS and USL do not have the infrastructure (or finances) to have actual relegation/promotion between first and second divisions, we here at TYH thought is might be fun to create a mock promotion/relegation battle, if for nothing else but to make the end of the year a bit more exciting for us. Plus, we're soccer geeks.
Promotion/relegation, a concept completely foreign in American sports, makes the final matches of the season much more exciting. Among the top flight, it's the desperation to remain in top flight football. For those successful second divisions squads, it's winning the chance to play with the big boys and the possible financial windfalls to come. I mean, besides the die-hard fans, who will really watch Los Angeles play Real Salt Lake on Sept. 19 when absolutely nothing will be riding on it?
Of course, given the "mock" nature of this competition, there still isn't anything really riding on that match, except for bragging rights (i.e. "My team is slightly less crappy than your team"). And after the years that the relegation targets have had, bragging rights might be enough. As for the USL.1, it might get their team's a bit more coverage, as we have virtually ignored the USL, outisde of US Open Cup coverage. Who knows, maybe we'll spot the next Maykel Galindo. Or maybe Portland or Seattle will make a stronger case for MLS expansion through their showings with their USL.1 clubs.
The competition is simple. At the end of the regular season, the two MLS clubs with the worst records will be "relegated" and the USL.1 regular season champ and the USL.1 Cup winner will be "promoted." If the same USL.1 club wins both honors, "promotion" will go to the second-place team during the regular season. Since USL.1 is nearing the end of their season, our first promoted club will be announced in a matter of weeks (see standings below). TYH's mock promotion/relegation competition will ignore divisions in both leagues and will tabulate a single table (using MLS tie-breaking procedures). Why? Because that's how it should be done.
TYH will post regular columns covering the mock promotion/relegation battle, along with single-table breakdowns of the current candidates in both categories. Questions? Comments? Feel free to stump for your team or to comment on who you think will be relegated or promoted. TYH might highlight your comments in future posts.
MLS Relegation Candidates (Week 21):
| TEAM | GP | W | L | D | Pts. | Diff |
| Toronto FC | 22 | 5 | 12 | 5 | 20 | -17 |
| RSL | 20 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 15 | -17 |
| Los Angeles | 18 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 14 | -10 |
USL.1 Promotion Candidates (Week 15):
| TEAM | GP | W | L | D | Pts. | Diff |
| Seattle | 25 | 14 | 5 | 6 | 48 | 10 |
| Portland | 26 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 47 | 13 |
| Montreal | 25 | 12 | 5 | 8 | 44 | 10 |
| Atlanta | 25 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 39 | 9 |
| Rochester | 26 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 39 | 3 |
| Puerto Rico | 26 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 39 | 3 |
1 comments:
But what if the two merged? Is there not enough in TV revenue for something like this to happen? Or is it that an MLS team would have to fold if it was relegated and had to forego its TV revenue?
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