re: MLS ratings down, attendance figures even more fictitious than previously thought

While ignoring that a lot of the MLS franchises start with a grassroots following of a team. Their ultimate goal is to get an MLS team, either out of that team or a new entity which is really that organization rebranded.

And.. a true D1 and D2 will likely happen once MLS expansion gets to the tipping point. I think they are doing it the right way. By that time, lots of teams will have had the opportunity to grow as a 1D organization and have a following. And it will allow for a D2 TV contract that includes established teams. I think it could be a true 1a and 1b league, as opposed to foreign leagues where you basically have a handful of dominant teams in the top tier and then nothing.

It not the fault of the MLS that every city and suburb in the US didn't start a team a hundred years ago.

Add to that, the development academies in MLS are top notch. Hell, FCD U16s just beat Real Madrids U17s yesterday in Dallas. FCD U18s beat Evertons 19s 5-0 the other day. And there are a lot of other great academies in the MLS.