I guess I (and perhaps the author) should clarify: MLS has absolutely grown in popularity since 2000, a time when almost no one gave a shit about it. But the broader point of the author’s remains: this expansion, especially at these prices, is unwarranted.

“allegedly growing in popularity”

You ever been to a bodega? You mind your own business regarding the hundred arguments a night there or else you might catch an avocado in the kisser.

There is so much about this:

I forgave him about a decade ago

That’s a pretty silly reason to hate on someone.

Nice comeback, but that’s some dreadful goalkeeping. Also, Christine Press is a stud.

Some truly terrible goalkeeping on display here. The one where she gets two hands on it is bad but the near post one is awful.

I agree. Moreover, I think pro/rel fanatics fail to take into account a couple of factors at play in places like England:

Considering that the amount of money in MLS is a fraction of either Europe or the 4 major sports, pro/rel at this stage would actually hurt. Youth development is an expensive investment, asking a club to invest in a decade long endeavor means a degree of cost certainty is needed. Relegation is devastating to a…

Ugh, so tired of longtime USMNT vets Jorge Villafaña, Jordan Morris, Paul Arriola, Kellyn Acosta, Darlington Nagbe, Bill Hamid, Jesse Gonzalez, Matt Miazga, Chris Pontius, Gyasi Zardes, Joe Corona, Dax McCarty, Eric Lichaj, Justin Morrow, Juan Agudelo, Sean Johnson, Alejandro Bedoya, Cristian Roldan, Kelyn Rowe, Dom…

How would Pro/Rel force youth development in the US? MLS teams must have youth systems down to at least U-14 (could be younger now), these aren’t possible without the MLS franchises guaranteed revenue streams at the top. Not saying that the academy system is perfect, but it’s an improvement of leaps and bounds…

This seems to me to be an overly harsh assessment. The self-evident fact that CONCACAF is weaker than UEFA or CONMEBOL doesn’t mean that the region’s title is meaningless. And yes, it would be an embarrassment if they lost, but they won.

I’m always astonished by how little credit the U.S. gets for their recent record. Like yes, I get it, they’re not Germany or whatever. But their recent track record is far better than teams who continue to be fellated as giants (ahem, England).

Hey Billy,

I even get that Gold Cup doesn’t mean much, but Billy’s constant pretentious cynicism is fucking worn out. Cool, you like other sports more and think the USMNT and MLS are garbage. You’ve told us this in every article for at least 3 years. Get a new schtick or let someone else write.

“This isn’t really meant as a criticism of anyone directly involved in last night’s match.”

Yea no shit Billy, trophies are few and far between for pretty much all international teams.

Deadspin really needs to make up its damn mind on the Gold Cup. When the US won the early matches with its C-team, you freak out over how we’re not winning by enough and are an embarrassment. When they upgrade to the B-team and win the stupid thing, you freak out about why aren’t we playing the C-team for more player…

And how many words would this chamaco write if the US had lost?