That’s how literally every sports league in America counts attendance, so...deal with it, I guess?

...where do you think those top-tier NCAA players end up?

By the end, yeah. But they were second in the league in average attendance in 2006, only trailing the Galaxy. They weren’t too far off the league average until 2011 or so.

So you don’t like...soccer as a sport? Weird that you’re commenting here then!

It has been widely reported that the distribution of free tickets has declined to a huge degree over the course of MLS’s history. I’m not going to look that up for you.

1) This author references attendance in the sentence prior.
2) Free tickets and larger stadiums aren’t the reason attendance has increased.

This is the worst take.

“allegedly growing in popularity”

I choose to believe in the MetroStars.

I moved from the South Loop to Lincoln Park because the area around Soldier Field sucks so badly on Bears gamedays. Those 10 days a year (don’t forget preseason!) made the South Loop unbearable.

The US women look tactically out of their depth against any other good team. I don’t know if that’s down to player development or coaching (probably both), but it needs to be corrected. The rest of the world has closed the gap on them athletically, and they’re better tactically.

Deadspin is going to have an article in about a year lauding itself for creating the most sophisticated writing robot ever. Sure, Robot Billy recycled the same tired cliches about American soccer that every Johnny-come-lately on Reddit does, but man, he really got traffic to the site!

...because Columbus was also down a player because of the red card, you dolt.

...when was that? Orlando played in the USL from 2011-14. Before the franchise relocated, they played in USL and that weird 2010 D-II league as the Austin Aztex. Even then, they were in the USL conference.

Best goalkeeper feels like one hell of a stretch in a league with Howard, Hamid, Blake, Guzan, and Robles. Melia’s having a good season though.

Can a chip not also be volleyed?

He’s been a pro since 2007 and has earned just shy of $5 million. Being a professional tennis player is expensive, so yeah, he’ll have some monetary regrets.

Soft. My broken arm didn’t hurt at all, but it wasn’t a bad break.

I’ll mix in Swedish Fish throughout a marathon as well. Similar concept.

I worship at the altar of Hal Higdon.