MLS moves into Indy 11 territory. Are You Cool With It?

Is it as cut and dry as Big Bad MLS killing USL territories?

[@TMAC803210]

This isn’t led by MLS, this is led by the mayor begging for MLS to choose Indy rather than stay minor league with Indy Eleven.

[@andysvt8]

Maybe having an MLS team is better for the cities economy ?

[@tonybx566]

He could just try and help to make the Indy Eleven a MLS team. Make the stadium MLS ready, and there you go. Indy has the team and the strong fanbase.

[@adamjefferies1479]

Just a correction because I've seen this floating around, but the USL is fully professional league, not a minor one.

[@josephst24]

The MLS approached the city about it because Indy eleven has had multiple opportunities in the past to move forward with this. The city gave Indy Eleven ownership group an opportunity to maintain ties and become the MLS team. Ownership wasn’t going for it. Hence a new team will get the bid.

[@adamjefferies1479]

@@josephst24 That's interesting. What's your source for that? If that's the case, that would be frustrating because it was my understanding that the Indy Eleven were looking for a stadium site for a long time. But that it was the city that wouldn't consider sites close enough to downtown or wanted a guarantee that the Eleven would gain an MLS bid once the stadium was built (which is impossible to know, and they know that).

[@ricodelavega4511]

good thing they weren't in the same studio, herc wouldve had seb in a headlock between takes.

[@kirancourt]

You guys need to talk to the Indy Eleven fans and community on this - especially the Brickyard `Battalion (BYB).

[@TheHikingHoosier]

Not many are asking us our opinion on this matter. The mayor of Indy certainly didn't

[@mikeyfeliciano7174]

This is why i dont support San Diego FC, since its MLS and their fault for killing San Diego Loyals

[@Nobody-xe9fc]

Who's here after Indy11 beat an MLS team?

[@JoshCox-yy3rn]

A promotion/relegation system needs to happen. I interned with Indy Eleven in 2019 working directly with the players and coaching staff. It has fallen apart in the last 5 years. I would to see an expansion, but allow Indy Eleven to get promoted to MLS rather than whatever approach is being discussed. A personal opinion, but I want soccer in Indianapolis to be taken more seriously. There isn't a lot of buy-in yet, we will see what happens. Hopefully Indy can bring the club to MLS or implement a promotion/relegation system in place to earn a first division spot. We need that model in American sports.

[@please7662]

I hear some people saying "bring promotion and relegation". The popularity and passion of the game in the us isnt at the level that europe is at; the us cant afford that. Now considering how the us has a higher population than most countries, the us can afford a abnormally higher major league team count. It still should all be major league though, because minor leagues have significantly less support when we need more support to grow the sport in america. A 36 team system is abnormally large to european standards, but the US can support this with its large population. Divide the league into 2 divisions of 18. Play everyone in your division twice. 34 games. There wouldnt even be a problem with rivalry because, like i said, the passion isnt on the same level as europe. This would cut travel as well. More players would get a chance to play on the big stage. Edit: i'll even add on to this by adding what i think the 6 expansion cities should be. Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tampa Bay, Indianapolis, Richmond, and Buffalo.

[@francis8255]

This is the best argument I have heard for the current system mls is running, thank you. I’m of different opinions than that but this brought me a good perspective into soccer in the us and how they are taking this appproach

[@USmensnationalteam]

Most football fans in the U.S. want the historic Indy Eleven brand to stay and the name is not change.

[@brando7266]

That's a silly name,daredevils was better, Google if nec,

[@BallparkHunter]

Sadly, the fanbase has eroded for the Indy XI over the past several years. A majority of people want an MLS team over a USL team, even if that means folding the Eleven who have been in town for over a decade. I just hope the city doesn't build TWO stadiums downtown!

[@adamjefferies1479]

I don't know what club you're talking about, but it's not the Indy Eleven. They've consistently had 7k-9k average attendance in a 10,000 max-seat stadium over the last several years. That makes it in the top 3 or 4 for the USL in attendance every single year. A lot of those were bad years, meaning that the team has a dedicated fanbase. Also everyone I've talked to are completely confused as to the Mayor's actions. And it's because that when you really look at it, they don't make any sense.

[@JdDiehl]

There's nothing wrong with expanding MLS as long as a team is placed in a viable market, which I happen to believe Indianpolis is. That said, Indy Eleven should be the team getting bumped up into MLS; not an entirely new club as is being proposed.

[@inelhuayocan_aci]

"There's nothing wrong with expanding MLS as long as...a viable market." MLS is supposed to be a soccer league, not the fastfood chain franchising. Your argument said nothing of on-field merit.

[@JdDiehl]

@@inelhuayocan_aci What are you even talking about? You're fully aware that MLS expands all the time and has added dozens of clubs through this process, right? Or do you not know how MLS works? Because it sure seems that way.

[@bryanvivanco9166]

Loving the canada rep Herc!!!!

[@georgeblangfordjr.1771]

Sacramento & Indianapolis might be MLS Expansion team 31 and 32

[@MegaGlupe]

The case for more teams can be made with population. The usa and canada combined has a comparable population to the uk, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Portugal combined. MLS with 30 and growing top tier teams is a quarter of all of those European top tier teams combined. Im not against prorel but in north America we need to prioritize developing and keeping players in their market divisions

[@ronaldlucas8822]

Look everyone from the city's point of view a MLS franchise brings more national recognition to Indy if they build eleven park only to have minor league soccer it doesn't make sense Indy is out growing minor league sports it doesn't bring national exposure.

[@mikeavina168]

The mayor and mls are being shady

[@jeremyferrufino6849]

Lol everyone ignoring Indy XI's owner shadiness is hilarious....

[@SGE22-]

This is also my thought. MLS will expand to 40 teams then once that happens they will break the MLS into 2 leagues MLS and MLS 2 and have the start of Pro/Rel. the USL just isn’t big enough and you can’t have a USL team be promoted and they still play at a high school/college stadium in a league with Messi.

[@HappyCentaur-jm9lm]

1) MLS will NEVER implement Pro/Rel. It's being alleged that MLS is considering launching a D2 League that will eventually kill the USL. The NFL killed the OG USFL, while the NBA was born out of a merger, so why not have MLS kill USL as well? Gotta love how sports work here in America. 2) I will NEVER understand why people like you say, I want an MLS team, not a USL team but I love Indy Eleven. I was always taught to support my team no matter the circumstances - including what level of the pyramid they are playing in.

[@THEsoccerEnjoyer]

@@HappyCentaur-jm9lm exactly people need to realize pls wants to be like the other American sports leagues they want to control this sport

[@buddybaker3111]

Indy Eleven is not leaving the USL USL knows what it is doing screw MLS

[@thydevdom]

Backdoor deal. nice

[@omarnunez1552]

MLS should buy the USL and create Pro/Reg with it.

[@af72332]

The reason why i never argue that the US has to many teams in their top league is because the US is sooo huge. I think 30 makes since and no more. It sucks to cause in the closed system.. it doesn't give opportunities to those other cities/teams to get in. I would say the MLS messed up by adding a 2nd team in NY, LA and also by adding Austin and Cincy.

[@jeremyferrufino6849]

Seb Salazar is a clown and it's crazy how he questioned Herculez's reading comprehension when he should be questioning his own logic. He's trying to hard to be Skip Bayless and it's very sad. This show used to be quality, but now that Seb has gone full troglodyte I rarely watch now. Literally everything Herculez said was correct; Indy XI does want to be in MLS and this is a situation where MLS was contacted. Like he said, it isn't big bank stomping on little bank especially when they reached out to big bank. Seb is mad about MLS looking like every other league in our country, again like Herc said, pro/rel is not around the corner anytime soon. If you don't think MLS is a serious league, cover another league. MLS sold more players than any other league on this side of the world, only behind Brazil. It's crazy Herc took the disrespect considering he played in this league as well. I don't understand being upset about business people doing business things, last time I checked sports were part of the entertainment industry. I probably annoyed by Seb as well because he shits on DC United too much.

[@inelhuayocan_aci]

"If you don't think MLS is a serious league, cover another league. MLS sold more players than any other league on this side of the world, only behind Brazil." So explain what happened the last transfer window. You know, the one after the record in question when just half (if not more) ended up back in MLS or in lower Euro leagues. Also, explain the Euro hacks and old timers who tend to dominate the league.

[@calc1657]

The population of the US is 330 million. The population of Spain is 50 million. More teams in the US is not unreasonable.

[@chandlerking2260]

Yes it is lol

[@calc1657]

@@chandlerking2260 No it isn't. LOL.

[@thomasopp9104]

Right. 30 or 32 teams is perfectly fine in a country with 35 metro areas over 2 million people and 54 metros over 1 million

[@NexusFantismo]

The level of football being played in this country indicates that 30+ teams are too many.

[@calc1657]

@@NexusFantismo Nope. The level of the league has significantly increased over the years.

[@DanDaMan_966]

To be fair the MLS is only hitting the major cities if I'm the USL EXPAND AN Focus on the smaller cities that are 45 minutes or 30 minutes from where you are if indy eleven works it works but thats how im seeing it work

[@JuanNunez2023]

Herc is actually right here. Look up the human remains found at the Indy 11 stadium building site. They can't build a stadium there without removing the bodies and that's why their Indy 11 stadium deal fell apart. There are real legit MLS Vs USL issues but this isn't one of them. Indy 11 owner's plan was always to leave USL for MLS. The Indy 11 owner is trying con his way into an MLS franchise now that his stadium deal fell apart. There is no "good guy" in this situation.

[@brando7266]

Does he have the expansion fee money?

[@jeremyferrufino6849]

@@brando7266 no he would need a "whale" as the business term goes for more funding.

[@brando7266]

@@jeremyferrufino6849 then they have no chance to get a team, I hear phoenix is next for expansion

[@jeremyferrufino6849]

@@brando7266 ​​⁠lol the city that is going to lose their hockey team and possibly relocate their baseball team? I hear there is a possible plan for a stadium but no team or anything formal. Sacramento and Indy are the ones with the best chances.

[@brando7266]

@@jeremyferrufino6849 who said the diamondbacks might move,? Ps- Google how big the city of Phoenix is, u might be surprised, ps- it's too hot for hockey,

[@AlexCampbell707]

Wow MLS showing some savvy stripes, jumping into the ring. In the heart of America. #BigBang!

[@mikeavina168]

I do think you missed the point here. ❤

[@christopherbaber6341]

No, I'm not cool with it. USL will eventually take over MLS.

[@calc1657]

I also disagree with the Walmart analogy because an MLS team is a far superior product compared to an USL team. Also, an MLS team will have the financial resources to invest in youth development.

[@tripperdelaluna1]

Its superior - but not far

[@jeremyferrufino6849]

There's a handful of USL teams that could play MLS honestly.

[@jeremyferrufino6849]

Seb saying all these things like he doesn't hit a Walmart. The man is wearing a Kappa track jacket, where's the mom and pop in that?

[@Dweller415]

The cost of an expansion team doesn’t match the product. They’re way overpriced.

[@thejackofalltrades5171]

My goshhh. What is it about the media and their constant need or want to be like Europe. Are we exporting players? Is our national team growing? Are you not entertained week in and week out with MLS? Then go with it!! Like having a party and not enjoying it because it’s not like the ones lil Wayne throws.

[@rickywatters4439]

Fair but I mean die hard American soccer fans want to be the best. Sucks to see your favorite team play other nations & get abused & people laughing at the league you watch. Lol

[@pigeonbass11]

I just came across this video channel and I have to say, screw this Seb dude. What does he think this is, Fox News?? Like Herc said, it's about Indy11 joining the MLS, like how Orlando City did

[@TheLaughingMustache-oh5ff]

Sacramento is getting screwed imho..they should be an MLS team. I don't live in California either..but you see Sacramento's fans are crazy good. They should take San Jose's slot imho. San Jose's owners are terrible. Only thing that's rough is Sacramento's heat..it can be unbearable in the summer.

[@richardcastaway7683]

Cali is gonna have enough teams to have there own league soon enough. Too many teams coming from one state. They have enough already

[@TheLaughingMustache-oh5ff]

@@richardcastaway7683 That's why I said they should replace San Jose.

[@porkfriedsloths]

​@richardcastaway7683 there are 40 million people living in California. That is larger than the entire country of Canada. For perspective, Spain has 50 million and supports an entire league. I think 5 teams is the perfect amount (2 in LA, 2 in NorCal, and 1 in San Diego, all ranking in the top 20 TV markets). If you flip California and put it on the East Coast stretching to Ohio you see there are now even more teams for the area than 5 (Philly, NYC, Ohio, DC). State lines are made up, where people actually live are not

[@brando7266]

San diego already has a 35k capacity stadium, what does Sacramento stadium fit?

[@Tanyo10]

So many new teams in MLS have no history lmao can’t watch a league that has no history

[@FeelFree2RateMyENG]

History can always be make.

[@jjandorliadul]

I don't watch this show. Are they supposed to be fesity towards each other? Is that their schtick?

[@jeremyferrufino6849]

It seems lately Seb has been channeling his Skip Bayless.

[@SGE22-]

This is the thing. I love Indy Eleven. But I want a MLS team not a USL team

[@asapaul7671]

Why? The quality isn’t that different

[@SGE22-]

@@asapaul7671how do you figure the quality isn’t that different? 😅

[@asapaul7671]

@@SGE22- cause it’s not, we see it in the open cup, even when USL sides don’t beat MLS sides, it’s usually close. The technical skill is marginally better in MLS if you compare side by side, but there are definitely many players and clubs that could succeed in MLS. Let’s face it, there are guys who are good enough but just don’t have the right connections or their agent doesn’t have the right connections. Also, if you really do love Indy Eleven, support them, go to matches, and don’t advocate for an MLS side, because MLS won’t bring up Indy Eleven, they’ll do what they did in San Diego and kill a club with history. If you love Indy Eleven, MLS in Indy isn’t good especially if they are looking for a new franchise, not the Eleven.

[@SGE22-]

@@asapaul7671 “it’s not” isnt a form of an example. And the MLS doesn’t even care about the Open cup anymore. Tonight at 7pm the top USL team will go up against Atlanta united. ATL are 22nd for the shield and currently have not won in 8 consecutive matches. And you’ll watch ATL beat Charleston tn because even the bad MLS teams are better. There are a lot of reasons for a MLS franchise. 1. Money to sign European superstars 2. MLS teams in FC franchise( currently they do not have any USL so playing as Indy 11 is impossible) 3. Legitimate Football stadiums( vast majority of USL teams play at a College/high school level stadium that are very poor for fans to atten) I could sit here all day and list examples as to why MLS is better. 4. Being able to watch world legends play and get autographs( without having to travel to another city that has a MLS team) 5. The MLS pumps out 10 to 1 better quality players than the USL. Can you listen any examples as to why the USL is better? So far you haven’t.

[@SGE22-]

@@asapaul7671 like I said. The best the USL has to offer couldn’t beat a B/C team of Atlanta united.

[@flyingpig9406]

I'd love to see Indy Eleven move up to MLS as a team that has been there and invested for years but 30 teams is enough. US soccer needs a stronger second division not a bigger 1st division. Maybe MLS grows and splits into 1st and 2nd divisions. On Herc's point, the politics and rich people fights are always a manure throwing event. Herc is right be on the side of the fans and community stay out of the cesspool.

[@LowskiLow]

These guys are always very negative

[@carlospadilla5959]

Expansion is good for the sport. Also, let’s stop with this promotion and relegation stuff

[@SGE22-]

We need pro/rel in MLS.

[@ciscosanchez4127]

We really crying about 2nd division soccer. I don’t get it. lol 1st>2nd always.

[@tripperdelaluna1]

Most of these USL clubs would compete with MLS clubs - one of the reasons why MLS is trying to get out of the open cup. Competitive teams and competitive owners.

[@inelhuayocan_aci]

Except: EFL Championship (2nd division) > MLS (1st division) Not to mention, if we're only talking about local D1 v. D2, that doesn't give D1 the right to destroy a D2 team. In fact, that's precisely what the global game is against through their open pyramid system which is essentially open market. What you appear to be advocating is antithetical to open market.

[@brando7266]

​@@tripperdelaluna1the usl last won the US open cup in 1999, not that competitive

[@brando7266]

​@@inelhuayocan_aciu think miami or Columbus can't go 3-26 in the epl? Like Sheffield United? Get real,

[@tripperdelaluna1]

@@brando7266 Different ball game now.