Following the transfer of Obafemi Martins, the Seattle Sounders appear to be preparing for something big, while their Cascadia rivals have added a loanee from an English Premier League contender.
On Wednesday, the Sounders announced the acquisition of Targeted Allocation Money and an international spot from Toronto FC in exchange for General Allocation Money. In addition, the club signed first round pick Tony Alfaro. (REPORT)
According to Sports Illustrated, the Sounders are eyeing a Designated Player attacking midfielder, as well as a second non-DP signing. (REPORT)
Leicester City midfielder Jack Barmby has officially joined the Portland Timbers on loan. The 21-year-old previously featured on loan for Rotherham United and Notts County. (REPORT)
The number of viewers for MLS’ initial offering of nationally televised games dropped 11 percent compared to 2015. Last season’s schedule featured four games headlined by the debuts of New York City FC and Orlando City. (REPORT)
Timbers owner Merritt Paulson says there are no concrete plans for expansion at Providence Park, but public money would not be used if any were to arise. Paulson says that club is currently focusing on infrastructure, such as practice fields and the club’s youth academy. (REPORT)
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What do you expect from the Sounders given their recent moves? Like the Barmby signing? Any concerns with the TV ratings?
Share your thoughts below.
The fact that Univision/Unimas are blocked in ATT Uverse didn’t help either…
Maybe ESPN should picked Orlando City again this year for the season opener rather than the same 2 teams that generated such low interest in the MLS Cup last year
at least the product on the field for the timbers vs crew is decent. in the short term i much rather people question the ratings than the quality on the field. nycfc vs chicago might pull in better ratings nationally, but the play was poor. for me, that is more damaging to the league long term.
The number of viewers for MLS’ initial offering of nationally televised games dropped 11 percent compared to 2015. Last season’s schedule featured four games headlined by the debuts of New York City FC and Orlando City.
There’s no way to spin it without appearing to bury your head in the sand: TV ratings are king. Perhaps the TV ratings are a canary in a coal mine and when you consider MLS Cup ratings were down this past season and the MLS Cup Final was down significantly it’s not a good look.
When you build a league on old guys who refuse to play and a product built on parity, maybe the continued decline is more revealing than people want to admit.
Yeah good point, New. good bye MLS it was fun while it lasted…
Fun fact: Tim Howard is now within MLS to watch on TV. Not sure if you missed that becoming reality, but it’s not rumor.
Keep trolling.
The decline you point to in both cases are Portland v Crew, who are both small markets with no real names of note, at least to the casual fan.
Sounds like pure spin but 38% decline in MLS Cup Final (as well as a decline in MLS playoff TV ratings – no small market excuse here) and 32% decline in ESPN opening season match isn’t good. Adding to the mix of underwhelming facts the puzzling programming of the marquee club in MLS, LA Galaxy, on Spanish-only TV.
Just because the league is built on parity doesn’t mean the marketing should follow suit.
MLS wants to be one of the biggest leagues by 2020? Not going to happen. They cannot even be the biggest league in this region. The Mexican League is way better and deeper with talent. It shows in the poor ratings. This is partially due to the Mexican teams owning the MLS teams in the recent Champion’s League matches. The Mexican League also has higher TC ratings in the US than the MLS. Where’s the progress Don Garber?
WTF DOES THIS MEAN?
“On Wednesday, the Sounders announced the acquisition of Targeted Allocation Money and an international spot from Toronto FC in exchange for General Allocation Money. In addition, the club signed first round pick Tony Alfaro”
i get annoyed just reading it. this mechanisms are out of control.