Keep in mind that this article was written on June 18, almost a month before the MLS is Back tournament started.
Ever since Major League Soccer (MLS) was established in 1996, it hasn’t had that much popularity, with the exception that they televise the majority of their games on the ESPN networks.
Through this MLS is Back tournament, the league could gain a lot of popularity, as it’s one of the first leagues to return to play.
The tournament will begin on July 8th and end on August 11th. It will have all 26 teams taking part. This is big because like the NBA, for example, they are only able to let 22 teams compete. In addition, all matches will be played in Orlando.
It will look like the replica of the World Cup, with group stages and the knockout stages. Unlike the World Cup, the group stages will count towards each team’s regular season numbers, including record and point total. There will be three groups in the Eastern Conference and three in the Western Conference. The winner of the tournament will earn a spot in the 2021 CONCACAF Champions League (it’s basically the North American version of the Champions League in Europe). After the tournament is completed, the regular season is expected to continue, along with the playoffs and the MLS Cup Final.
I predict that popularity will skyrocket because it’s one of the only leagues to start earlier than others and if they market the fact that it will be like a regular World Cup tournament, then a ton of people will be on board with that idea.
MLS, it’s time for you to rise to the occasion and show the sports world that the MLS is not as bad after all.