I Am Angry

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Gadjet (Editor):
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[@IAmThatBit--]

This dude really ate enough chocolate to put Switzerland to shame, then ran a half marathon and felt fine. But one trip home back to Florida and his entire digestive system tries to vacate his body?! 😅

[@Middagetten]

It’s definitely Florida I got food poisoning there as well

[@AndySport]

This says more about Florida than Z

[@Zealandism]

'felt fine' after the half marathon is definitely pushing it

[@IAmThatBit--]

@@Zealandism Sorry Z. Well done for getting it done though

[@imightbebiased9311]

Can't be in Florida without getting additional flow.

[@CharlieTheDuhGuy]

Title: I Am Angry Thumbnail: **smiling**

[@lingv_26599]

Same here😂😂

[@no_justno]

That smile is " I've given up" smile.😅

[@IAmThatBit--]

Smiling through the pain

[@BawdyBadger]

It wasn't that end that was angry.

[@AndySport]

Z capturing the American Soccer/MLS zeitgeist perfectly. I'm an American, I love soccer, I enjoy the on-field product in MLS. I hate MLS.

[@facekickr]

This describes me as well. Love soccer...the NYC teams are ok, but I just don't like MLS.

[@THEmuteKi]

Since the apple exclusivity deal I've found myself spending more time watching USL1 games. There's clearly a lot of talent in MLS (our local USLC team went up against Austin's first team last year and got wrecked) but the way that the league has organized itself has been like watching the meticulous assembly of a foot-shooting gun

[@anausome]

Honest question: Do you think this has anything to do with USL talking about incorporating pro/reg?

[@THEmuteKi]

@@anausome I put it down to something like development league envy. I think the biggest issue is that the recent expansion of the USL into larger municipal markets it becomes harder to MLS to find an audience outside of the specific cities they have teams in. The places USL has teams end up with academies the same way most other soccer teams do, and since they can operate in smaller markets they can potentially cast a net that's nearly as wide as MLS for finding and training talent. MLS is right now really making inroads into parts of California that have USL C teams in a way that makes it look like they're trying to push them out. They did this for San Diego and nearly did it for Orange County -- given that Orange County got a *very* high profile transfer of one of their players to Europe, Kobi Henry, right before they started trying to push out both teams, I think that having access to the transfer fees for intentional-strength talent like this is something MLS doesn't want to pass up. In a way the fact that the leagues are a closed system is probably a more direct cause of this. MLS wants to control the talent, and the USL teams are wholly separate from it now that they've split off their second-string teams into MLS Next Pro (MLSNP), and they seem to view MLSNP and the USL as competing leagues even if that's not exactly true. In a system with pro/rel a USL team with sufficient talent would become an MLS team and the point would be moot, but truthfully even the prevailing sentiment seems to be that as much as pro/rel looks nice on paper nobody wants to be the one to vote in the potential for their own relegation, and they're not really prepared for it. People want it *in the future* but they don't want it now, and they'll almost certainly say the same thing when it comes up to a committee the next time around, because it won't be the future at that point, it'll still be "now". MLSNP being so tied to MLS teams, in the manner of minor league baseball farm teams, means that there already is a pro/rel system for individual players in the MLS. Aside from things like iconography and stadium location, not a lot is made different from pro/rel if, say, the Tacoma Defiance squad winds up being so good that they all end up with contracts to play for the Sounders for a season or two. It's a free transfer between MLSNP and MLS, so they could do this in theory, though that's not to say they ever would want to. Hopefully this makes sense. I got back from my team's open cup match not long ago, and I'm a little tired.

[@stokerino1905]

That last bit about saying everyone should "embrace" the cup and wanting a plan to "make it more valuable to everybody" is 100% saying "find a way to pay us more to come back". Tedious corporate posturing of the most sadly familiar nature.

[@calgon5689]

We missed you. So much went on and i needed your opinion to restore some sanity to foot all. ...and go running!

[@IAmThatBit--]

He did his run a week or two ago 😊

[@Ssweis23]

Defenders of this action by the MLS keep saying that it's a poorly run competition and USSF needs to "do better". All of that can be true while still acknowledging that this action by the MLS is still helping kill the Cup. My first stream that I watched live was your first rant on this topic and I love that you continue to shed light on it. I would have never known about it, and I'm a fan of a local USL team, and live next to another! I hope one day enough USL and MLS fans can come together to not only fix the damage done to the US Open Cup, but also take US soccer in the right direction.

[@lenbren6658]

I can dig angry zealand. Also fair play on wanting a genuine history. The prem league wants to bury any history before 92 the gits

[@theletsplayer4921]

Like liverpool wanna bury the game vs juve

[@jaquandrejones]

The sport was literally invented in 1992 idk what you're on about

[@alexwatkins1931]

@@jaquandrejones theyve always had the football league. I think it became the premier league in 92... can't tell if youre joking or not lols

[@jaquandrejones]

@@alexwatkins1931 life must be hard for you if you can't tell if someone thinking a sport was made over 100 years after some clubs were founded is joking or not.

[@kieronparr3403]

A lot of media push that. Particularly online.

[@e_eyster]

Not only did El Farolito beat the Timbers 2 team, they also beat a USL-1 team in the second round (third tier USA). Next up they get a USL-C (2nd tier) side that historically is just mid table so the run might continue. Right now that semi-pro team is 6 games away from the CONCACAF Champions League, its pretty much the English equivalent of a National League North/South semi-pro side making third round proper of FA Cup

[@MrRawrGamer]

Lost to a burrito stand is wild lol.

[@reverendroar]

I’ve been saying this for years but I’ll say it again the only way the USA will get better at football is three things: 1) Get rid of your stupid pay for play method. Kids shouldn’t be paying fees or getting scholarships to get a slim chance at professional football club - instead a kid on the streets, slums or in the farmyards should be able to dream. Pay for play takes that dream away before a kid kicks a ball. 2) Do massive investments at all levels of grassroots even in isolated villages from Alaska and Hawaii to cornfields in Ohio and fields in Puerto Rico and Guam. 3) Add promotion and relegation to add competitiveness to the leagues. Therefore cup tournaments can be competitive and compete with MLS teams. Finally the El Farolito burrito shop story is incredible! That’s like my local chippy winning the FA Cup! I love this story so much and f*ck MLS - Karma is a game you don’t wanna mess with. I’m definitely going there when I’m over in the states now

[@guguy00]

So... remove all the American business quirks? Yeah sounds about right.

[@RD-wg9em]

@@guguy00relegation would be the opposite of competitive. Given American fan culture it would just obliterate the teams that go down, and ensure salary controls are impossible, which will ensure the biggest markets are the only ones that can compete. 1 and 2 are required though

[@reverendroar]

⁠@@RD-wg9emI see your point of view here but relegation would be good with regulations. Like for example take the EFL and PL. A relegated team would have at least 3 years of parachute payments to help relegated clubs with finances while they climaxes to the championship. In fact across all the EFLs you have some sort of parachute payments. So that would help them economically and would help the MLS compete with other bigger leagues. Also it would increase competition across all leagues because let’s say New York Cosmos got promoted to the MLS - they’d step up their game, expand facilities, have the financial backing to build better scouting ranges (etc), which means even if they get relegated back into NISA, they’d be okay plus the whole of NISA would be competitive due to the need to modernise facilities, coaching etc - step up their game and so on and so forth. It’d be across all levels of the US football pyramid. So I believe that promotion and relegation wouldn’t destroy anything about fan culture or clubs at all especially when you have American billionaires owning the worst teams in the MLS

[@RD-wg9em]

@@reverendroar that’s an ideal view. The English model (which I’m domestic to) has a ton of issues. Financial solvency at the lower levels is awful, with clubs constantly requiring bailouts and entering administration, because the pyramid essentially forces teams to have to run at a loss to be competitive. Parachute payments are a stopgap solution for the championship teams that also leads to a situation like Norwich where they just yo-yo between the leagues. It’s also worth noting that fan interest remains relatively stable when clubs go down, with hits only being taken in attendances once you get to league 1 (the 3rd division). Seeing how bad teams in American leagues haemorrhage attendance, thinking that would be the same is optimistic to put it nicely. It would also damage the ability of teams to integrate young talent, as the consequences for having a bad season become way more catastrophic. The premier league perpetually struggles with the development of young talent, especially in lower table teams for this reason. A change to a European system would murder most teams that go down, and actively disincentive ownership and external investment. The premiership gets away with it because of the sheer finances it generates. The bundesliga, which has strict ownership controls is the only other major European league that has any level of stability right now. Relegation would result in a league far more like Ligue 1 then the premiership in the US unfortunately

[@scotlandr]

As a lifelong Raith Rovers fan who play in the Scottish Championship (2nd tier) I love the fact that i dont support a 'big team' in my country. Promotion, relegation and cup competitions is the true essence of football (soccer) and i wouldnt trade it for anything else in the world. Raith are not world beaters but weve had our shocks in beating Rangers and Celtic on occasions, winning a league cup in the 90s that took us into the UEFA Cup (Europa League) in 1995 of which we played against and got knocked out by eventual winners Bayern Munich. Our club was founded in 1883 and our history is so rich. Basically what I'm trying to say is that the MLS and the USA FA really need to have a open mind and have a pyramid system in place with the NASL etc, it will grow the game further with more clubs chasing promotion and fighting relegation. Along with maintaining the US Cup as a open competition. The MLS is a mundane league which fans will get bored off in their hundreds and thousands if they keep it a closed league and now a closed Cup competition. Commisioners need to think long term! Oh and a side note...they need to get rid of that Adidas exclusive contract!! Bring back a wide diverse range of kit manufacturers again!

[@gregorybrett1142]

Fair enough, as an observer from across the pond this is a very understandable thing to be angry about. The Us Open Cup is the only thing that adds some kind of legitimacy to the US soccer 'pyramid' with MLS being a closed shop. Given the MLS cup is already basically a knockout tournament involving a majority of the teams, and the Leagues cup is now a thing, what's the point in the Open cup if it's just a less prestigious version of that? And the idea that a small team beating a big team reflects badly is just the opposite of how it is here in England. Are the premier league celebrating their inherent superiority over the championship given that the 3 promoted teams are so awful and would all be dead and buried without the FFP farce? No, of course not, the Premier League and English football's success is built upon our strength in depth. MLS needs to stop competing with the US's other leagues and start worrying about why its own potential local fans are watching games from countries they've never even been to. MLS only succeeds if US soccer succeeds. Relegation/promotion can't come soon enough.

[@kalmenbarkin5708]

If we are gonna make decisions based on what Europeans perceive as “legitimate” we can close up shop now. We need to do what’s best for the game to grow in our culture - not what makes Englishmen approve. England will never perceive us as legitimate- and I don’t give a fuck. The open cup hasn’t been doing anything for the game here. Even lower divisions teams were generally selling fewer tickets when hosting upper division teams than for their own home games against other lower division teams. It loses money every year and produces a garbage product that nobody watches or likes (though so many people love the *idea* of it) I get the FA cup matters in English culture. The open cup doesn’t here. Maybe after the new tweaks it will but the old format was classic “keep doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”

[@inelhuayocan_aci]

Yep. I'm a 25 year supporter of Sheffield Wednesday. I've stuck with the Owls through relegation and promotion alike, yet I've never been to England. I refuse to support the plastic MLS machine with its American-style sports business leadership, its phony naming schemes, inorganic derbies (save for a couple that precede MLS), closed market franchise model, pay-to-play academies and "territory rights," sabotaging of the USMNT via their marketing agenda in player/personnel selection, and strategic destruction of the lower level leagues. I'd much rather support Wednesday and a smaller club from my local area in L.A. if that ever happened (USL willing).

[@HarveyWallbangers2]

Those of us who watch MLS don’t want it and know it won’t work in the USA anytime soon. So tired of people who don’t watch MLS and don’t understand the realities of footy in the USA constantly harping on it.

[@inelhuayocan_aci]

@@HarveyWallbangers2 Typical MLS fan response; dripping with undeserved arrogance. I don't understand the sheer overconfidence you guys have in MLS soccerball, because that's what it is Murican soccerball done the Murican way. A pyramid based on oligarchy, not open market or merit, and run by non-soccer people. Your ilk have no logical leg to stand on in this debate.

[@carlosbarton763]

This is dismal from the MLS but in theory, though I doubt CONCACAF will do it, if they were to continue to allow US Open Cup winners to qualify for their Champions League, it would be sweet to see the equiv. of second/third division teams facing some of the big Mexican clubs etc. Japanese J2 team Ventforet Kofu won the Emperor Cup and got all the way to the last 16 in Asia's Champions League this season

[@jonhunt2609]

The winner of the cup does still qualify

[@carlosbarton763]

@@jonhunt2609 That's awesome

[@e_eyster]

Could happen too, especially with less MLS teams. With the full MLS roster at least two teams from the 2nd tier or lower made the top eight in 4 of the last 5 years. That includes a finals appearance by a 2nd tier side, a semi-finals appearance by a 2nd tier side, and a quarter finals appearance by a 3rd tier side. A MLS team will still be "favored" as eight of them are sending their main teams, but this could be the year a 2nd tier team gets some lucky draws and goes on a run to lift the cup going to the CCL

[@thetroII]

Yeah if it was ever going to happen, this is the format.

[@kalmenbarkin5708]

MLS still sent 8 teams to the open cup. And one of them will almost certainly win it (again).

[@mikexstad1121]

Appreciate this. This has been the final nail in the coffin for my mls interest. MLS would rather cap the ceiling of the sport in the US and monopolize, then grow natural engagement and potential. I used to be the most passionate MLS fan, dating back 15 years. Canceled my season tickets two years ago and now canceling my AppleTV subscription. I just dont care and now MLS is actively hurting development of the sport, which i thought was the mission... to win the World Cup and club in every village.

[@armavir740]

ngl watching zealandism before bed has become a huge part of my day

[@gugga2745]

im living in the world where zealands mom is sitting on the couch right next to him watching him film this admiring her son. ideal world

[@RAMBLINGSMANJMB]

Zea for MLS commissioner 🤣🤣

[@e_eyster]

I have been waiting for this one since they announced they were not playing/sending their MLS-Next teams.

[@rmmvw]

because those teams would've gotten absolutely washed in the tourney.. possibly to semi-pro clubs for sure.

[@darthdarly1739]

Probably not a good look when a USL League One team knocks an MLS them out like Northern Colorado did to Salt Lake in the 2022 edition of the tournament.

[@IAmThatBit--]

Eh happens in the English FA cup too. Coventry are winning the whole thing

[@e_eyster]

Omaha (also USL-1) that same year took out two MLS teams before losing in the quarter finals.

[@ParksEndurance]

Thanks for this Z. As a SD Loyal fan feel this very acutely

[@maxl.b.m.y.g.5918]

You deserved better. I am so sorry.

[@garretvasil59]

Im from Pittsburgh PA, and our game against the Columbus Crew in the Open Cup were we won 1-0 was one of the best memories ive had watching sports live ever. And like everyone who loves this sport and is American, the structure of the MLS is god awful. There NEEDS to be a relegation system, and i do thing the draft system is interesting considering how college football exists, but we also just in general need to move to more European model. I love the Bundesliga and id love to see the MLS move to a structure and rules like that.

[@cameronannis2639]

As a Brit that became interested in college basketball after studying there for a year. I feel like what the MLS is doing to the US Open Cup is similar to what the major conferences in college basketball are trying to do to March Madness and what they have already done to the NIT, getting rid of automatic bids from smaller conferences because they won’t to create a monopoly on the money in college basketball. Similar to what the MLS is trying to do which is probably wanting the US Open Cup to be a strictly MLS only competition and therefore not allow USL teams (Shoutout the Charleston Battery) from being in the competition

[@cyclonesfan7205]

I almost wonder if this is an attempt to prevent future FC Cincinnati stories of a USL club coming up, thrashing a few MLS clubs, and getting enough clout to get an MLS franchise (which then sucks for years before getting new management and suddenly become one of the top teams in MLS)

[@e_eyster]

Cincy isnt even the best "wow what a run" story. At this point its the 2022 stories Omaha (from 3rd tier) who made it to the top 8 beating Chicago and Minnesota from MLS on the way, and Sacramento who made it to the finals losing at Orlando (even keeping it tied for 75') but still took down San Jose, LA Galaxy and Kansas City on the way there

[@cyclonesfan7205]

@e_eyster Oof yeah that's gotta sting for MLS even more since they didn't steal the franchise right after

[@kalmenbarkin5708]

Cincinnati was already in the middle of negotiations to join MLS before that happened (that’s why they had a good enough roster) Sacramento had a similar run shortly after (they were also in MLS talks) but nothing happened. The reason Cincinnati got a franchise is because a rich guy ponied up the cash. The run in the cup didn’t matter. If it did Sacramento would have a team now. And I get FCC fans like to believe they earned it on the pitch because that’s a much more romantic story but that’s not what happened.

[@cyclonesfan7205]

@kalmenbarkin5708 Hey fair enough I remember before I got back into sports of any kind a few years ago hearing about the minor league soccer team selling out UC's football stadium every weekend. While the USOC is no doubt an important part of our history (in fact, it's a big part of why I'm so mad at MLS as a Concinnati fan over the USOC controversy, including pulling us out), chances were already good for an MLS expansion. It definitely didn't hurt the process though, unless you count the extremely short turnaround we had to put things together that kneecapped us for a few seasons.

[@kalmenbarkin5708]

@@cyclonesfan7205 I mean I wouldn’t say it played no role at all - MLS vetting process is concerned among other things with the ability to sell seats and the excitement around that run helped sell tickets. I’m sure at the next meeting the PowerPoint looked a little better. But the driving force behind FCC being a thing is 💸💸

[@Auts91]

Yes, we missed you.

[@Sirius1914]

Zealand swearing is a first and i've watched for like 3 years lol, its refreshing. Glad im subscribed to this channel too Zea, its amazing.

[@mikexstad1121]

This issue is the final nail in the coffin for my interest in MLS. 10 years ago I was the biggest fan when nobody was, paying for the MLS streaming service and such. OK not having pro/rel is one thing. But now they are taking it to far. MLS wants all soccer in the country to be siloed into MLS. Basically soccer in USA will be "shipping at the company store". The goal for the sport should be Bundesliga, but probably will be the premier league to be fair. Now we're in the path to be like Mexico or something.

[@leew6091]

What needs to happen is the amateur/semi-pro teams need to get together and create their own league system, with promotion/relegation. It will take time, but eventually with enough hard work and positive press it will be bigger than MLS and then they can give them the finger when they want to join in.

[@trainguy4798]

wholeheartedly agree ze, would never have heard of it without you. Love the content

[@idkkkkkkkk_]

Charlie of football 🙏🏻

[@AIeksejs]

everytime i think of football in the US i think of how cool it could be. It has the potential have great viewer numbers over so many levels. I kinda look at it like that FM bundle you guys made.. So many great options and yet they chose this XD

[@GavP75]

This is annoying. As a Brit living in the US my local town has created a new club that's about to start in USL2, I was looking forward to following them. If the MLS is just going to stamp out grassroots it's disgusting and only hurts the long term growth of the game.

[@thejungwookim]

From running a marathon to running his digestive system to illness, what a legend

[@FenC919]

This. Just this. I am boycotting Leagues Cup this year because of this, and if they don't reverse the decision for next year, I am canceling my season tickets (this year's were already paid for).

[@kalisperis]

That's rough. Hope you have a quick recovery! 8/10 on the chest hair.

[@e_eyster]

Just for the record too non-MLS teams that made it the furthest last few years: 2023: Birmingham (USL-C) and Pittsburg (USL-C) made top 8 2022: Sacramento (USL-C) lost in the final, Omaha (USL-1) made top 8 2019: St Louis (USL-C) and New Mexico (USL-C) made top 8 2018: Louisville (USL-C) made top 8 2017: Cincinnati (USL-C) made top 4, Miami (NASL) made top 8 Lower level teams make runs... usually end around quarter finals but in 2 of the last 5 Cups a non-MLS team has made the top 4, and also in 2 of the last 5 a team from the third tier or lower has made top 8.

[@leesmith8197]

It's funny because I went on a trip the USA as a Brit last summer and attended a few matches, mostly MLS, but the one USL match I attended (at Louisville City) was probably my favourite match of the bunch. The quality difference is less than say the Championship to the Premier League in England.

[@samuelschonenberger]

The return of the King I was missing these videos for during my morning and evening streches Also MLS should be more like the J-League, the J-league has 3 professional divisions and is twchnically closed but ot doesn't feel like a closed shop because there are multiple divisions

[@stproducciones9140]

as an argentinean, i can say we didn't get to where we are by just focusing on a scant elite popular teams from the top league. competition, growth and the risk of relegation are important.

[@MafidellaPlus]

I wonder if a thumbnail more relevant to the topic (MLS teams pulling up) to spark more public discussion ^^ I love these style of thumbnails though so I get why youd keep it the same

[@THEmuteKi]

My favorite thing about the MLS dropping participation in favor of the MLS Next Pro squads is that only two MSLNP teams are still in the competition. One was guaranteed between the match between NYRBII and NYCFC II; the other is Chicago Fire 2, who managed to win against friends-of-the-show Forward Madison

[@joeelvinofficial]

This is my favourite KZbin channel right now. Always entertaining and unusually learn something. Curse that Satan Food that robbed me of 2.5 days of Zealandisms

[@keatonlibengood7738]

Thank you for commentating on this. As a fan of a USL team it just pisses me off so much

[@reverendroar]

In a previous life Zealand was a Presbyterian vicar - shouting the verses of the Bible while he runs up and down the country

[@devangliya7131]

hi, angry. I am dad. nice to meet you!

[@CodyGissel]

Uh oh somebody fed Zealand a dodgy lasagne

[@alexcoombes8724]

Premier league clubs voted against a deal to help the efl

[@TheHubGames1]

US Open Cup could be your FA CUP (essentially is) -- but it sounds like the Commissioner of the MLS is an idiot, who doesn't understand the sport or how to grow it. Also stinks of do as i say not as i do, in regards to embracing the cup.

[@619Slipk]

He's angry

[@dannyhawkings8469]

I’m an Orlando City fan from the U.K. and I travelled all the way Orlando for their US Open cup final and it felt like a real special moment which was and still is the only major trophy that Orlando has ever won. Guess that was all for nothing and with Orlando not having much to celebrate (unless the magic go on a miracle run in the nba) that’s really bad news for them.

[@not2sharpmd]

Finally the video we’ve all been waiting for.

[@thetroII]

Longtime Z fan, long time MLS fan, long time USOC fan. I get where you're coming from, and I don't think you're wrong about a lot of it either, but I think the federation has to shoulder some blame here too. You literally can't watch a good chunk of the tournament anywhere but KZbin, and even then it was hard to find last year. That's pretty limiting too, and that's also part of what Garber meant, IMHO. If USSF doesn't treat the USOC, it's own tournament, like it is a big deal, then it is pretty wild to ask MLS to do so 🤷‍♂️.

[@ReviloFurmo]

As a Middlesbrough fan one of my most memorable boro moments were our cup runs in 2015, 2022 (My dads was most probably our uefa cup run in 2006 and Carling cup in 2004) seems very stupid to make this desicion even in a country where football is not in the top 3 most popular sports

[@aestusmaximus5219]

Hej i really like your channel and the insights you are giving about football around the world, i never would have heard of! :) But i have a little note: could you put the links to the articles you are referring to in the videos in the info, so i can find it more easily and read them myself? Thank you for the great content :)

[@Simo1453.]

I genuinely think us football should copy what german football does at this point that is the only save i think at this point

[@frog605]

angry Zealand 😰

[@diegomaloney2712]

fuck yeah, a fellow American telling like it is, Garber's devil horns showing through that receding hairline

[@stevedaytona]

The final comment in the article was telling - "...more valuable to everybody." What he means is that not only is the last 16 not full of his MLS teams but they are not making money from it either. He's working for his employers which to be clear is not US Soccer, it's the rich owners of the MLS teams. This will never improve until the clubs at the top have been grown organically.

[@MontyESA]

He's back!

[@mephistowwww8816]

Juat need to say, that burrito restaurant are a legit set of legends for that

[@ElkjaerTV]

Jeez and I thought the Danish Cup tournament was getting worse, but then I learn about what is happening in the US Open xD

[@SimonBean-p8h]

If I'm correct in my understanding, the CONCECAF Champions League places are allocated to the member associations / federations which in the case of the US is US Soccer. If this is the case then why not allocate fewer places to MLS?

[@kalmenbarkin5708]

Because you’re incorrect. They gave slots to MLS directly (and to leagues cup directly) which can go to either US or Canadian teams. The only slot the federation has any say in is the one slot for USOC and even that isn’t the federation’s decision the rule says the federation and CONCACAF will reach an agreement (so far that’s always been the cup).

[@SimonBean-p8h]

@@kalmenbarkin5708 thanks for the update. Must say it appears arse about face as US Soccer and not MLS is the member federation but that's the wonderful world of football these days .... it's all about the money.

[@kalmenbarkin5708]

@@SimonBean-p8h I mean MLS also succeeded where USSF failed for 100 years so honestly I’d prefer they call the shots over USSF. But yeah “whoever has the gold makes the rules” is a pretty good rule of thumb in most things.

[@SuperJNG18]

MORE OPEN CUP CONTENT PLEASE (also please feel better!) EDIT: Yay, he finally mentioned the Rowdies! EDIT 2: AND HE MENTIONED EL FAROLITO AND THEIR WHOLE STORY!!!

[@dislexyc]

Don't worry about being absent, Zea. I wasn't home this weekend

[@zacharywright6954]

Ten minutes only 485 views. Fell off

[@atlantanknight7]

Thank you so much for making this video. The Open Cup ought to be revered by American soccer, not cast aside by its would-be flag-bearing league.

[@cacho100uva]

Capitalism, hurrah!!!

[@PiastTorun]

The 1 dislike on this video was from Zealand because he is angry.

[@SuperJNG18]

From my own perspective, I'm sad that my own club (NYC FC) was one of the majority that sent their second team, and karma almost makes me want them to get knocked out just to teach them a lesson...BUT, it has been inspiring to see the NYC FC fans (shout-out my fellow Third Rail members) say "fuck that" and show up to both of our Cup games so far, held at Belson Stadium at St. John's University, on freezing cold rainy weeknights, to give our Baby Blues support in their Cup run. And guess what? They're doing great! We even won the Hudson River Derby Jr. against the second Red Bulls team! (Which is nice, given that it's not looking as good in regular MLS, which we should probably focus on being better in for now anyway). So on the one hand, send the first teams, but on the other hand, give the young 'uns some playing time and make MLS pay by bringing on the Cupsets!

[@ryanmcniff2245]

Z, my guy, i am so glad you did this. That said, you lost me a bit when you said US fans just dont care. I care. Ive boycotyed MLS, ive tagged MLS sponsors in every bit of negative press stemming from this, ive written letters to Don Garber and the Wilfs of Orlando City. Ive canceled season tickets ive had since Orlando City was in USPSL when i was a student at UCF in 2012. We care but the fact is, like what happens every time corporations take advantage of people in this county, most of us are powerless to do a damn thing about it.

[@Noobie2k7]

Literally just the MLS director getting upset the teams from his league are losing games and took his ball and went home throwing a hissy fit saying "you beat us so we aren't playing anymore".

[@gezblair]

Feel sorry for you dude. Two stages of really bad food poisoning. First stage: you worry you are going to die. Second stage: you worry you won’t be allowed to die 😬

[@adaldi_]

You were gone for more than a day, my life lost purpose for a while but now you are back

[@lingv_26599]

You should only eat chocolates turtles... we can't have you missing like that

[@tcb2324]

Just beat Pheonix Rising in the US cup on my FM24 save with orlando city for the TITLE. I FELT TERRIBLE beating them, but they took me to ET. It was glorious.

[@Liam-lr4lu]

Expecting click bait Gets a F bomb Satisfaction

[@ilamgarek3739]

Love it when Z talks about an „outdoor league“ 😂😂😂😂

[@markhurford2761]

I got food poisoning a couple weeks ago I understand your pain most of it should be behind you at least

[@nathanrockman4640]

To be fair, El Farilito has 3 locations in SF

[@Bagster321]

The real question Zealand is....Scrambled, Poached, or Fried? Also hope you're feeling better mate.

[@waynekeebler6755]

Never should have eaten that deviled Python burger.

[@Thatguyinyourclass]

Two things, 1. Don Garber is not a soccer guy, he came from the NFL and is a really good sports marketing guy, so he doesn't actually give a shit about the sport. 2. US Soccer/ Lamar Hunt US Open Cup recently finished a contract with the marketing company that was in charge of selling the rights for years. A company that was owned by MLS, so basically MLS indirectly made more money off the US Open Cup. And this is the first year that US Soccer took over the process to negotiate TV rights for USMNT games and US Open Cup games, and they actually got better deals than the MLS backed company did. So, yeah it's totally about money for the MLS because for years Soccer United Marketing under valued the US Open Cup and USMNT games and got a huge cut of the revenue the deals generated, but now US Soccer no longer uses Soccer United Marketing and was able to get better deals worth more money and MLS only gets the same amount of money as every other league that participates in the cup. Also, Lamar Hunt at one point owned several MLS teams and kept the league afloat for years and without him there would have not been a MLS for Garber to build into a profitable league, so it's kind of disrespectful to the man who essentially saved the MLS

[@lausymaus9856]

As a European this feels like watching friendly jordies, understanding nothing but definitely agreeing that things are mad.

[@succadick2424]

As an African, same

[@casteri]

They're jealous that their clubs let Sofiane Djeffal fall through the cracks to then play for OCSC where he scored an absolute worldy against FC Tulsa in the USL Championship last Saturday. I have no bias on my end whatsoever. On a serious note this was never a surprise as someone who has watched primarily USL when it comes to the game here in the US when a few years back MLS pulled their reserve teams out of the USL system because "it wasn't a good environment for our younger players to develop in" or whatever bs they said then to form MLS Nextpro or whatever and its no surprise that is what they're trying to pull again. It's what MLS does and they should be treated as such.

[@DamnitDutch]

Hey Z, since you're angry i would love your take on Clubs leaving cities to get a stadium deal somewhere else. As a European that moved to the USA myself 14 years ago this still blows my mind to this day.

[@jldch26]

I don't think that's normal even in soccer here. Other American sports yes, but not in footy. At least not in MLS, outside Houston Dynamo moving from San Jose and Columbus almost moving to Austin (thankfully that was avoided), when else has this happened?

[@Jivezer]

hey ZZ how are you? Apart from the double Ender you’ve had to endure

[@JavierLuces]

Please, one video talking about Athletic Club's Copa del Rey triumph after 40years!

[@ptptpt123]

Important enough to be posted on main channel.

[@mortiphago]

The food poisoning saga crossover from northern lion

[@RAMBLINGSMANJMB]

Get well soon mate.. can tell you needed a proper rant about stupidity in football/soccer

[@hodor6159]

Unfortunately, this is what you get with a closed-shop franchise league system.

[@stephenbride1308]

Sadly this is exactly what I would expect from someone in that position, it's all about money not the sport. Off topic, your mention of the Rowdies reminded me of a British TV special from 1980 where comedian Jasper Carrott tries to learn more about the NASL and level of support for football at the time, and it's focused on the Rowdies. It's called "Carrott Gets Rowdie" and on KZbin. I wonder what you would make of it. If it seems marketing has changed much or how much of the MLS that bugs you is still visible then.

[@TheVacumeofSpace]

Would love a video about the mayhem that was the Rangers/Celtic game at the weekend as well as fenerbache u19 throwing the Turkish super cup vs galatasary love you dude ❤

[@DudelyMachine]

MLS is trying to trade the Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League for their Liga MX partnered Leagues Cup. Bringing the larger Mexican fanbases to play in US venues more often is way more profitable than playing away games in Costa Rica and Honduras, or against USL 2 teams with tiny supporters groups. The problem is that it's a short sighted gain. While it would make MLS teams more money in the present, it would destroy the grassroots foundation of the game that provides players the opportunity to develop and showcase themselves against a path of progressively bigger clubs. Pouring money into these existing competitions to increase their exposure and improve the infrastructure around them would help develop the talent pool of young players in Central America, the Caribbean, and smaller markets within the US and be better for the health of the game in North America long term. But their motiviations are clearly geared more toward immediate return on investment and it's disappointing.

[@reverendroar]

Give a house tour but while *running*

[@nd-uq7sk]

Couldn't agree more. As a DCU fan it's so fing frustrating that dc aren't in the open cup

[@jldch26]

Been to a NYCFC II game during the US Open Cup & going to the next round in CT, but still am extremely annoyed by MLS pulling this shit.

[@Murphinator-gx5on]

This should be on the main channel

[@RwandaBob]

i’m an american and i can’t stand the MLS because i never know when anything is happening, when games are, where to watch them, that there really even is a cup, and who the fuck the players even are because they DONT MARKET AT ALL it’s easier for me, as an american, that lives in mississippi, to follow the premier league and la liga than it is for me to actually watch the league in the country i live in also the only way im ever watching the mls seriously anyway is if nola gets a club. those are the only teams in any other american sport i give a shit about

[@rockerfarm6445]

2 and a half days for you, it's been FOUR for us!

[@777jimothy]

How you feeling now dude ? Hope you're OK matey

[@joWa3]

ME TOO