Relegation in America

The relegation system would probably end up being something like zonal leagues like they have in the lower leagues in Germany. Southeast/Southwest/Northeast/Northwest/Central

figure out a way to put the winner of each region into a playoff with 1 team earning direct promotion and the 2nd place team playing in a two-legged playoff with the 2nd to last place team in the MLS.

Well, first things first. MLS wouldn't/couldn't implement pro/rel. USSF would have to.

Only two divisions would work. MLS,NASL/USL

Revenues would have to split evenly throughout the two tiers. This is the only way American owners would be willing to invest in 2nd tier teams and its also the reason that it will never happen, (Current MLS owners are not going to slice up, an already thin revenue pie, with a table full of 2nd tier teams.)

Say 24 MLS teams and 20 teams in the 2nd division.

Bottom 2 would be relegated. Top 2 would be promoted.

Some form of playoff to determine the two teams promoted out of the 2nd division, maybe even included the bottom two MLS teams in that playoff.

There would have to be a rework on salary/contracts/transfers for the MLS.


Finances are the reason this will never happen but its fun to think about.

It would be a hard to see a promotion/relegation system that doesn't benefit the MLS. Methinks that the without MLS approval there's no talks of a new system.

I agree. And on top of that I can assure you no owner would agree on their team being relegated after spending $100 m just to get their foot in the door.

Pro/ rel needs to happen in more of a regional/state set up. The MLS and NASL shouldn't be involved, but the USL could be. USL just expanded tremendously pairing up with MLS reserve sides. Galaxy II is just the first of many full MLS reserve sides that will soon compete. Have the USL be where pro/rel peaks and have it go all the way down to city leagues. This could help teams go through trial and error, build a fan base and get better funded before making the leap to NASL and/or MLS.

There are many regional leagues out there that could participate. Evergreen Premier League, Connecticut Premier League, SoCal Premier League, Texas Premier Spccer League. The list goes on. I would like to see the NPSL extend their season and get away from relying on college athletes to field competitive teams.

It's possible but it needs to be built from the roots up, not vice versa.

MLS would either have to expand a huge amount and split in 2 or buy one of the other leagues and have MLS and MLS2 or something. Could not be done any other way.