Reading this will be frustrating for many on this board. MLS can not compete with the NFL or the NBA on athleticism or level of play. Where MLS *can* compete is providing an organic, old-school atmosphere where fans can live and die with their team and not have to sit through endless timeouts and a sterile atmosphere. I think Garber and the MLS braintrust have done some good things, but building the leauge up through grassroots support is such an obvious good idea I don't know why it isn't priority number one for the league.
I don't think I'm saying anything new here, but Simmons sums up the increasing problems in NA sports well.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...partone/081121