Should MLS incorporate a Promotion/Relegation setup? Mainly between the top two teered leagues (MLS and USL-1)

There has always been talk about the MLS and the completion that it brings or lack there of. The lower table teams have no fear of being relegated to a lower league. So if you're a bad team, there's no real need to bring in better quality players to make the team better because regardless of your record, you will be there the following year. This in return reduces the overall quality of the league (in my opinion). I do not believe there should be 3 teams promoted/relegated per year because there isn't enough teams in the leagues to do so. However, 1 team promoted/relegated could be beneficial to the league as a whole.

There is also the other problem that comes with promotion/relegation. The operating costs between the leagues. This was an issue that has come up in the K-League in Korea where a team was offered promotion but declined due to the finances required to run the club in the higher league.

There are currently two clubs in the USL-1 that are waiting in the wings for a promotion. Vancouver Whitecaps are one of the clubs wanting promotion. (football specific stadium currently being built) They are in the running to be an expansion city in the MLS' grand plan. However, there is no word if there will be a new franchise in Vancouver, or if this current one will be promoted. For instance Seattle will be granted a new club in 2009, but Seattle currently has a club, Seattle Sounders who are in the USL-1. They also seem to have quality by defeating a few MLS clubs in the US Open Cup in 2007. Wouldn't some extra financial backing and promotion to the current club in the city be beneficial? As it stand now, The Seattle Sounders and the new expansion team will play in the same stadium.

There Rochester Rhinos have often been regarded as being closest to gaining promotion because of their purpose-built stadium (not all current MLS clubs have a purpose-built stadium), but the team has not indicated any interest in going much further, nor has the MLS shown any interest in promoting or making them an expansion team for the MLS.


Current United Soccer Leagues Pyramid:
- Major League Soccer (MLS)
- United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1)
- United Soccer Leagues Second Division (USL-2)
- USL Premier Development League (PDL)

History of the leagues. *****MLS not included

United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1)
A professional men's soccer league formed in 1996. The United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues (USISL) established the new Select League consisting of its strongest teams from its professional FIFA Division 3 sanctioned Pro League and its amateur Premier League in hopes of gaining FIFA Division 2 sanctioning. The next season, the Select League and the independent Division 2 A-League merged to form a new A-League under the USISL umbrella. In 1999 the umbrella USISL changed its name to the United Soccer Leagues and in 2005 the league took its current name as the USL First Division.

In 1998, the A-League consisted of 28 teams. By 2006, only 12 remained in the USL First Division. For the most part, the teams that left dropped down to lower classifications, such as the USL Second Division and Premier Development League, to rid themselves of the high costs of travel and player payrolls. (Voluntary relegation)

United Soccer Leagues Second Division (USL-2)
A professional men's soccer league formed in 1995. The USISL split into two leagues, one professional and one amateur. The United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues Pro Soccer League, more commonly known simply as the Pro League, was a FIFA sanctioned Division 3 league. In 1996, the USISL established the new Select League consisting of its strongest teams from the Pro League and Premier League in hopes of gaining FIFA Division 2 sanctioning. The next season, the Select League and independent Division 2 A-League merged to form a new A-League under the USISL umbrella. In 1999 the umbrella USISL changed its name to the United Soccer Leagues and the Pro League officially became known as the United Soccer Leagues D3 Pro League. In 2003 the name was changed again to the USL Pro Select League, but during the season had to be changed to the USL Pro Soccer League due to legal reasons. In 2005 the league took its current name as the USL Second Division.

10 teams currently in the USL-2.

USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League (PDL) is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States and Canada. It is currently the top level men's amateur competition in the United States, and has 63 teams competing in four conferences, split into eight regional divisions; unofficially, it is considered to be the fourth tier of competition

In 1995 the USISL split into two leagues, one professional and one amateur. The United Systems of Independent Soccer Leagues Premier Development Soccer League, more commonly known simply as the Premier League, was formed as an amateur league apart from the professional USISL Pro League teams. Its main purpose was to improve soccer capabilities to many urban areas throughout the USA and Canada and offer current college soccer players experience without losing their college eligibility.

Today, some of the PDL teams serve as farm teams to United Soccer Leagues and Major League Soccer clubs, notably Chicago Fire Premier, Colorado Rapids U23's, Atlanta Silverbacks U23's, Cary RailHawks U23's and Richmond Kickers Future, and there are increasing reports that more MLS teams will begin fielding U23 teams in the PDL in years to come.

I think promotion and relegation would help MLS. But would teams in lower divisions have the players and/or financial stability to stay up?

That is one of the big issues. The financial difference of operating a team between the two leagues. However, there are a couple of clubs in the second division that have the financial resources. The Vancouver Whitecaps and Rochester Rhinos to name two.

Yeah...they should.

I support New England (because a friend of mine, who was in USA, supports them).

Are they good?

^ The Revolution have been a consistent team the last few years. They like to be the "second" best team, they tend to choke in the big games. They have yet to win the MLS Cup; however, they did get their first piece of silverware this year with the US Open Cup. They have made the MLS Cup finals the last 3 years, and have lost each one. They also reached the final in 2002 and obviously lost that one also.

They do have one of the best strikers in the league in Taylor Twellman.