American soccer fans are a special bunch. Some support MLS teams, some support USL teams, and some, usually foreign ex-pats, think that the game played in the US is a joke. There isn’t a consensus wave of support for MLS as a whole, yet the spectre of an opinion exists that if you don’t support MLS, you don’t support American soccer. Should that really be the case?
This summer, the US has played host to several international friendlies matching up an MLS team and a well-known European friendly. The crowds were great, and ESPN carrie dmany of the matches as an “MLS Special Edition” broadcast. While it is great that the overall footprint of the league in local markets is growing, as a fan outside of an MLS market, why should I be watching San Jose Earthquakes v. Tottenham Hotspur? I don’t like either team. Not even a little bit.
Still, I have a nagging sense of guilt because I simply don’t care about that match. As a Fire supporter, I loathe Red Bull New York. Still, I felt like I wasn’t “doing my part” because I didn’t watch Thierry Henry’s debut match against Tottenham (again!). Henry’s match was big, and interesting, so I did record it, but I turned it off as soon as he was subbed off. What was the point of watching afterwards? Why do I feel like I’m doing something wrong?
MLS is in a special situation. It needs its fans to support teams they normally wouldn’t. You wouldn’t expect a Manchester United fan to root for Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League, but MLS fans tend to bond together to cheer on Seattle against Metapan, even if they normally support DC United. What makes MLS better makes their club better, right?
In the future, MLS fans won’t have this dilemma. The league is closely reaching a stability point. Fans won’t have to cheer on a team they hate for the good of the league. That time can’t come soon enough. I’m tired of watching the LA Galaxy fall all over themselves against the Puerto Rico Islanders. They deserve to be ridiculed for their 4-1 loss. Now is not the time. Maybe next year.
Adam Soucie is the author of Soccer, Not Football, a blog focused on the American game. If you’ve liked this piece, check out his other work. If you haven’t liked it, he promises there’s better stuff on his site.