The Vancouver Whitecaps will face Inter Miami on Saturday night in an MLS regular season game without three of Miami’s star players – Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets. While this decision raised some eyebrows, it was a sensible move due to several reasons. Vancouver is the longest away trip of the season for Miami in terms of flight miles, the Whitecaps play on an artificial surface that veterans often try to avoid, and Miami has three matches in eight days starting Saturday, making resting key players a strategic move that will not significantly impact Miami’s competitive prospects.
It is clear that Messi’s absences in MLS games are influenced by the league’s unusual format. Data shows that Messi has played in only about 56-73% of the competitive fixtures for which he has been available, a significant contrast to his consistent appearance rates playing for clubs in Europe in previous seasons. This inconsistency can partially be attributed to MLS’ current structure and format, which may not incentivize teams to field their best players. Messi’s age also plays a role, but other factors such as injury precautions and importance placed on certain games are also influential.
There are proposed potential solutions to improve player availability and make the league more elite. Extending the regular season calendar to reduce midweek games may have negative consequences such as more cold-weather matches impacting attendance. Canceling games during international windows may result in more mid-week games or cold-weather matches. Scrapping or scaling back tournaments like the Leagues Cup could have repercussions on TV/streaming success. Changes to the playoff format to make the regular season more meaningful need to be carefully considered to maximize positive impacts.
Outside-the-box thinking is necessary to transform MLS into a truly elite first division. Extended road trips for interconference games could lessen the burden on teams, while split seasons like Liga MX could add urgency to regular season games without reducing postseason opportunities. Moving tournaments like the Leagues Cup to winter in warm weather locations could free up the schedule and minimize the impact of winter games on attendance. These radical changes are essential to elevate MLS from a fringe competition to an elite one, attracting top players and improving overall competitiveness.
In conclusion, the absence of Messi, Suarez, and Busquets from the Vancouver game highlights the need for MLS to address its format and structure to ensure the league can attract and retain top talent. Changes such as extending the regular season, revamping the playoff format, and innovative scheduling strategies may be necessary to make MLS a more competitive and appealing destination for players and fans alike. The experiment with Messi in MLS serves as a catalyst for change, pushing the league towards elite status and establishing a strong foothold in the global soccer landscape.
