re: Where does MLS rank in terms of quality?

I should also add I think the Japanese are a possible powerhouse on the world stage. They have a good league structure, good fan support, develop players at a high technical level, and have only taken the sport seriously for the last 20 years or so. Despite shrinking birth rates they still have a massive population, and an excellent system in place for teaching the game. The strides they've made very good.

Korea and Australia are possible powerhouses as well, but I've followed the development of Japanese football for near half a decade, and I've seen progress.