Stu Holden on whether MLS is too dependent on the Lionel Messi brand? | SOTU

Alexi Lalas, David Mosse, and special guest Stu Holden discussed if MLS is relying too heavily on the Lionel Messi/Inter Miami brand name at the detriment of other teams and players. Check out their responses!
#StateOfTheUnion #MLS #LionelMessi
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About Alexi Lalas' State of the Union Podcast:
U.S. Soccer legend Alexi Lalas discusses the biggest stories in the world of soccer from an American perspective. Join Alexi and soccer guru David Mosse, as they break down the USMNT, USWNT, MLS, Bundesliga, Premier League, World Cup & everything in between.
Stu Holden on whether MLS is too dependent on the Lionel Messi brand? | SOTU
• Stu Holden on whether ...
Alexi Lalas' State of the Union Podcast
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[@user-tc1kx5cw8n]

Of cos they are, this is Messi for God sake, the best ever. If you can't everything from him while you have him you're a fool

[@CDmusic10]

Honesty

[@AGCcachanilla]

Overrated Marketing guy….Ronaldinho was Miles Head

[@user-tc1kx5cw8n]

@@AGCcachanillawhat? hahaha it's okay mn you have the right to choose, mate

[@greenside_ymsworld]

​@@user-tc1kx5cw8n no he's fully right, Pele, maradona and ronaldiniho are all better

[@patrickchang9135]

He's not only the GOAT of football, he is most likely the most famous and most loved person in the history of humanity in both the proportion of all humans on Earth and in the sheer number of people. Even if you don't care about the sport, it's a BIG deal to have him even acknowledge your country

[@greenside_ymsworld]

He's not the goat, Pele, maradona and ronaldinho

[@chadnorth10]

Love the new stat that Messi is currently America's most popular athlete (all sports) - so yes, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Both from a Sports Economics (and Soccer Growth/Investment) standpoint, as well as a Soccer Economics (attracting top talent, transfers, etc) one.

[@johnf6861]

Copa America and the Olympics are going to be a rough 2 month stretch for Inter Miami. Sounds like the coach is going to try to make the players who can do both choose one. The Redondo signing is very exciting as that should help a lot. Still think the defense isn't very good and I am very cynical about the older guys enduring the whole season. If Suarez doesn't score goals regularly, I see him biting Tim Parker or Miazga or somebody in month 2.

[@4liferssslockedin]

What you think about MLS owners trying to withdraw from the open cup?

[@johnf6861]

@@4liferssslockedin I think its ridiculious. MLS emphasizes new meaningless tournaments, meanwhile we have Open Cup that is 100+ years old that showcases the nation's history of soccer and they withdraw from it? It is awful. I used to go to US Open Cup games at Lockhart with the Strikers playing the Laredo Heat and FC Dallas and it is fun and a celebration of the US soccer pyramid. Why is Leagues Cup more important than a 100+ year tradition? We need a healthy soccer pyramid. If anything, get rid of Leagues Cup if things are too congested...we already have CONCACAF Champions Cup for meaningful games against Liga MX.

[@user-is1xu1dp9b]

Messi isnt going to play at the Olympics

[@ChrisE-iy7ok]

Redondo is a defensive midfielder and will help defense alot new cb signing freire impressed in the only game he played so far against messis childhood team when he is back from small injury defense will improved miami are set until the summer at least but more signings must be made in the summer for defence and temporary backup when messi play copa america and olympics

[@SuyashRajbhandari]

Ofcourse he is superstar best players

[@whowantstorunforpresident5531]

Messi, Busquets, Alba and Suarez by themselves would route half of the MLS. What are these guys even talking about...

[@AlexNightOwl76]

Personally, if they can use Messi's image and likeness to bring more eyes; let MLS milk that opportunity. As of him playing in the olympics, it is a big NO for me. He plays for Inter Miami and gets paid by Inter Miami. He can play copa America but NO olympics.

[@izzyshootsiphone]

I think it’s an unintentional/inevitable consequence. It is Messi afterwards. Same thing would have happened if it was CR

[@fcukrealmadrid]

cry7 receives 2 matches ban for obscene gestures one dives even in Saudi one never dives

[@aasishgiri9079]

With media and advertising yes it would have same effect, but not the same with the fans,inter Miami games are being sold at almost 20x times more price and they are still coming to watch him despite being in the worst MLS team,that affect is not seen in Saudi league with the fans,even with normal money,average attendance is 12-16k for Ronaldo games

[@jeffrey.a.hanson]

Never underestimate the pull of ‘making it in America’. Watch that Beckham documentary. MLS was astonishingly bad. Yet, here he is ‘making it in America’. South Americans just saw Messi, Alba and Busquets get full introductions in Spanish. Our biggest MLB star is from Japan. A young player can come here and find their culture in almost any city and easily fly family in for matches!

[@basedboys17]

Messi is the best

[@user-yi5ky5bi8e]

Africa Liberia ❤❤❤ Messi

[@basedboys17]

Messi goat 🐐

[@TubokNaey]

I NEVER cared about MLS until MESSI came to MLS! I NEVER cared about PSG until Messi joined PSG. And when Messi left PSG, I no longer care about PSG. That's just me! Now, multiply that to hundreds of millions of MESSI FANS around the world!!!

[@Colorbind005]

Truth is wherever Messi goes he makes himself so relevant that you can't help but rely on him and it's not always going to be a good thing.

[@subhajitmishra007]

No one watches MLS unless it is Inter Miami with Messi. No one will watch Inter Miami once Messi leaves. That's the hard truth.

[@AlexNightOwl76]

soccer stadiums were averaging more than 30k before Messi came in, so a lot of people will continue watching; it is not that MLS will die without Messi.

[@AlexNightOwl76]

Look at what just happened for the Charlotte FC home opener. 62K fans packed the stadium. MLS was here before Messi and fans will continue attending after he leaves.

[@HarveyWallbangers2]

@@AlexNightOwl76 And they had 69k for last year's home opener.

[@AlexNightOwl76]

​@@HarveyWallbangers2 that's good news.

[@AlexNightOwl76]

@@HarveyWallbangers2 that's fantastic. That proves MLS > messi. Yes, he gave a boost to the league but the MLS will continue to exist and will keep getting better. MLS already surpassed all leagues in Central America and possibly all leagues in South America. There only few teams in Argentina and Brasil that could be considered top teams but in reality they are not that top.

[@chamberlainwonder369]

No, is not too messi dependent. Mess wana win MLS and he see how tough the MLS league is nowadays.

[@noahnasr5511]

You just talk too much. Just thank god to have messi guys😅 don't be fool .this is good for mls to have a goat

[@gw7120]

Those 4 players huffing and puffing will be better than all your MLS players LOLLL

[@AlexNightOwl76]

no they are not, if you watch the game closely, they struggle sometimes.

[@4liferssslockedin]

Y’all are the worst! You’re telling me you have nothing to say about MLS teams trying to avoid the open cup?! This is why no one watches your crappy discussions on whatever US Soccer wants you to discuss on your massive platform & actual fans get their news from @Tacticalmanagertv or @11yanks Grow a set & stop shilling for MLS owners…

[@chadnorth10]

they reversed that decision?

[@4liferssslockedin]

@@chadnorth10 today, yes. That’s my point though; they’re avoiding talking about it because it doesn’t suit their owners. Literally

[@TubokNaey]

MLS is NOT relying from Messi...BUT...MESSI made billions of futbol/soccer funs AROUND THE WORLD get to hear/know about MLS for the very first time! Messi ALREADY brought so much business/INCOME to MLS as a whole...not just to Inter Miami! Messi made EVERYONE talk about MLS! Messi is attracting high caliber futbol/soccer professional players to consider comimg to USA to play at MLS. So, MLS dependent to Messi? Of course NOT! Messi simply made MLS relevant & worth watching & talking about...while he's in MLS!

[@Viciousotk1]

Is funny that when usonians talk about futbol, they talk about money. Go to the hoods people, go to the hoods.

[@BGSM10]

These ameritards are completely oblivious to who this man is and what he represents. Too dependent on the Messi brand? He is the GREATEST OF ALL TIME, no one is depending on anything. All of this is a result of his presence and who he is.

[@alexandervalladares2501]

I used to be huge fan of you … Alexis Lalas .. your commentary is a shame for the sport and the USA.

[@boootybounce420]

Incredibly stupid question

[@asumahyeboah5389]

Messi isn’t even the best player in the mls....

[@javitectimes1983]

you're right, chicharito is way much better ... :D

[@aasishgiri9079]

​@@javitectimes1983we will see that at the end of the season bud😂

[@non-kh7tm]

MLS was broke. They are lucky messi went there and improved their revenues. Can't blame MLS for that. Some players was getting paid of significant amount. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂.

[@futbolfan37]

Alexis is a MAGA lover