"Game First"

The MLS unveiled their "Game First" initiative earlier this week. All in all, I'm pleased with their plans.

Here is a summary of the initiatives:

New Players

In addition to the Designated Player Rule, MLS clubs now receive two-thirds of the fees earned when one of their players is transferred. That money can be used in a number of ways to improve the team's on-field product. [That’s good, but the salary cap still limits the reinvestment opportunities a bit.]

Also:

· MLS has provided recruiting resources, including a worldwide player database and video library for teams to use as a scouting resource, and a full-time consultant based in South America to assist MLS teams in scouting.

· The Youth Development program allows for teams that invest in player development to reap competitive rewards for their efforts. Players who are part of an MLS club's Youth Development program for at least 24 months become eligible to sign directly with that team instead of entering the MLS SuperDraft. [This is perhaps my favorite of the initiatives...or at least the one I can see bringing long-range benefits to our league as it develops the future MLSers.]

Game Presentation

MLS has implemented certain standards for pre-game presentations that will occur at all MLS games.

· Teams will line up alongside each other in the tunnel prior to emerging for kickoff. [Not sure how this will be accomplished at stadiums with dual entry ramps like the Rob.]

· As teams enter the field, led by the referees (FIFA style), a new MLS anthem will be played. The new MLS anthem and “signature sound” [huh?] was recorded last month by a full orchestra in Prague, Czech Republic, under the direction of an American conductor. [This anthem sounds kinda cool, but I also like the individual character of each team shining through the local pre-game choices, like with Dynamo’s “Braveheart” intro at the end of the 2006 season.]

· In-stadium commercial PA announcements during play will be significantly reduced. [Thank you! Will this include canned PA music? Please?]

· MLS has established guidelines for field maintenance, including: The length of the grass cut and optimal watering schedules prior to the match; The pattern of directional cuts, so as to assist fans and referees better view offside decisions

ESPN has also done some work on the game presentation of broadcasts. See my two recent blogs.

Competition Format

· The four MLS teams with the best regular season records in 2007 will qualify for SuperLiga 2008. Starting in 2006, the Supporters' Shield winner for best regular season record receives one of the United States' two spots in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The MLS Cup champion receives the other. [I like the increased emphasis on providing benefits to the Supporter’s Shield winner.]

· During the past few years, more bonuses for starts and wins have been incorporated into player contracts. In 2007, those bonuses will be paid once every two weeks instead of in one sum at the end of the year as in the past. [Instant rewards will definitely make the benefits of all-out play more tangible, thus making all-out play more practical.]

· Playoffs: At the end of the regular season, the top two teams in each conference earn playoff spots along with four "wild cards" which have highest point-totals in the standings, regardless of conference. This will add competition and intensity to the playoff race. If one conference is stronger than the other in a given year, more of its teams can qualify for the playoffs.

· On July 24, 2007, the inaugural edition of SuperLiga begins. This international tournament features four of the top teams from MLS and four of the top teams from Mexico's first division competing in a Champions' League-style format for a $1 million prize. The MLS Technical Committee will continue to examine the competition format for possible changes in the future. [So the Supporters’ Shield winner automatically goes into the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the SuperLiga Tourney. Extra benefits for the Shield winner, but quite a cramp on their schedule. The extra strain will make dynasties harder to develop. It seems that the winner of a conference isn't necessarily going to be one of the top 4 teams in a season (though that will likely be the case), so the SuperLiga complement from MLS could potentially come from one conference, however improbable that might be.]

Officiating

· U.S. Soccer has hired full-time referees for the first time. Jair Marrufo, Ricardo Salazar, Baldomero Toledo, and Terry Vaughn will become full-time referees, enabling them to focus their professional abilities on preparation and training. [This is great news, and long awaited. I hope to find bios for these "star" referees so I can follow their progress. I'm not much of a follower of referees in general, but I could handle keeping track of 4. I wish them the best of luck.]

· MLS has established the MLS Working Group on Officiating, which will conduct regular meetings between officials, coaches, and player representatives to promote better relationships and understanding of the rules and their application.

MLS works continuously with officials and players to protect player safety and prevent tactics that destroy the game. Among the new League initiatives for players and referees aimed at improving the attractiveness and rhythm of MLS games are:

· Players have been advised to no longer kick the ball out of play when a player is on the ground unless they believe a serious injury has occurred. The referee will stop play in cases of serious injury. This change is designed to help maintain the flow of the game and reduce the feigning or exaggerating of injuries as a tactic to stop play, kill momentum and waste time. If a team kicks the ball out of play deliberately, but the player down is not injured, there is no obligation on the part of the opponent to return possession to that team. [Whatever. Diving is a much bigger problem, as are inconsistent calls that enable the defenders to play in the shoddy way that encourages forwards to dive. It's not a victimless crime, and the problem isn't limited to just forwards.]

· Referees have been encouraged, at their discretion, to issue a yellow card caution to players who raise their hand with an imaginary card. [I hate the petitioning, but wasn't this already covered by "bringing the game into disrepute"?]

· Referees have been encouraged to issue a yellow card caution to players who embellish or feign contact or injuries in an attempt to have opponents cautioned or sent off or otherwise disrupt game flow. [That's better.]

Strategic Relationships

· On March 13, 2007, MLS and the German Bundesliga launched a new relationship that will foster collaboration between the Leagues on multiple levels. The Bundesliga is a world leader among soccer leagues in average attendance, stadium design, broadcast production, and corporate governance.

· MLS will strategically develop relationships with other leagues, federations, and clubs to glean the best applicable practices and maximize connectivity to the global soccer marketplace.

· MLS is actively exploring new, meaningful international competitions.