There are currently 2 movements within the US Soccer called #OpenSoccer and #ProRelForUSA. And they ask a pyramidal system that allows promotions and relegation system with a unification of American soccer. The reason for these movements is due to the way of doing business with the sports in United States, where teams are franchises acquired to the leagues. MLS does the same as do their brothers, the other American sports leagues: MLB, NBA and NFL.
Unlike most important leagues of the world, the MLS does not have promotion or relegation, but unlike the other leagues in United States, the MLS nor is the standard, nor has the league that more money moves, nor is the media coverage. For context, most basketball players worldwide want go to the NBA, because it is the most media league and because has better wages. In baseball, the MLB is the best league, from Asian to Caribbean want a big contract in USA. MLB even limit the actions of their players in other leagues and the “baseball world cup.”
But the MLS does not have that Hollywood power of having the highest revenues league. No tradition. As for money, nor are the leaders even among new players, for example, China has spent more on his league in 2 years in MLS history. And his media power is with players in the twilight of his career as Gerrard, Beckham, Pirlo, Villa, Henry, Drogba … there are exceptions like Giovinco, Lodeiro and several young South Americans, but without much media weight.
But this sport is called football (or futbol) not soccer. In soccer, United States is not referenced. Fans of this sport in USA see the European leagues, and see stories like that of Leicester, who went from 2nd division to be champions England in 3 years or Eibar, a Spanish town of less than 30,000 inhabitants, but with his team playing against Barcelona and Real Madrid. And they see as countries with that model are successful in sports (in international tournament clubs like the Spanish league and national teams like the German Bundesliga) and financial (English Premier League is the football league that more money moves in the world, and the English second division is the eighth, above the MLS).
Why these movements are calling for is a pyramid scheme between the leagues, is to have promotions for lower division champions. What “independent” teams and leagues are demanding is not crazy. What they ask is to unify a set of leagues to improve performance, competitiveness and profits, where the main beneficiaries are the fans.
