http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=249756

MLS and USSF just need to cooperate a bit more on this and for my
personal opinion, the USOC should replace the stupid MLS CUP
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The USOC schedule needs to be set in stone along with the MLS
regular season schedule so they can be marketed, advertised together-
in your season ticket package. For example, the first 4-5 rounds
lock it on the last Wed of the month for example. EVERY MONTH. MLS
teams need to be in from the beginning. Need to get this tourney up
to around 128 teams to start, flows easy into 64-32-16-8-4-2-1 etc.
No more preliminary games between PDL or NPSL teams. They all need
to be given a chance against MLS or USL1. That's the glory of a
great cup. SECOND MOST IMPORTANT, The QF, Semi-Final and FINAL need
to be on a Saturday. If its scheduled in advance, the league game
goes to Wed that week. The final can be neutral site like MLS cup is
now, so all fans know where the road goes to. The semi should be 3-4
weeks before the final to give time for fans to schedule flights and
local marketing in the host city. No excuses on squads, that's why
we have a reserve league! Make the coach coach. If it's an early
round game, he'll have to play more of his second stringers. That's
the way it is elsewhere and some times you will get burned.
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The USOC is the true National Championship. MLS plays regular season
single table. The dates you save by not having MLS CUP playoffs are
used for Champions League or Exhibitions.
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Champions League dates also need to be set and I would think that
even if these were on Wednesdays, they should draw better than MLS
weeknight games. Same thing, get at least the Semi-Final and FINAL
on Weekends
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Low performing MLS teams should be able to go 1-3 rounds in the USOC
and that many times could be more games than they would have had in
the post season, especially if they didn't make the MLS cup.
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Bottom Line=
MLS regular season- single table-supporters shield- traditional
table=purists
OPEN CUP= classic single game, OT & PK's, knock out tourney- minnows
vs. giants
playoff style like March Madness =
Champions League= your made for TV tourney with an international
field and
=== probably more money too!
Set the leagues up this way and everyone gets soccer in some kind of
format that they will like.
=Take the 3 biggest MLS sponsors and give them the naming rights to
one each of these tourneys, in exchange they put some serious prize
money to the winners and a bump up in promotions.