How MLS Could Win Over the Masses with One Move

MLS has always had a weird problem with stigma. People love to hate on the MLS, and that’s always struck me as a bit odd.

It’s undeniably a growing league, with better and better talent being developed, attendance figures growing over the years, successful expansion franchises bubbling up from coast to coast, and gorgeous soccer-specific stadiums being built nearly every year.

But despite all of this growth, it feels like for every one die-hard supporter of the league, there are about a dozen others desperately trying to drag the league down. Maybe it’s because the level isn’t that high yet, maybe its because we call it “soccer”, or maybe people just like to hate on it.

So, I offer one very basic solution to this problem: alcohol.

Think about it - what’s the best way to get to know someone? Have a beer with them! You sit down thinking, “ah jeez, I barely know this guy. What are we even gonna talk about?” And then, all the sudden, you’re stumbling out of the bar giving them the “I love you man” speech by the end of the night. It’s just science.

So, what’s the best way to get to know a team, a league, or a player? Sit down, crack open a beer and watch them!

Watching soccer with beer is just...better (Via Fort Worth Weekly)

Here’s my proposal: a maximum $5 limit on beer prices league-wide. Write it in the new collective bargaining agreement - I want it in there. If you turn MLS matches into a drinking event, I guarantee more people will turn up. That’s just a fact. Of course the existing fans of the teams will show out in full force like they always do, but if they tell their friends they’re going to see an NYCFC game at 5:00pm on Saturday and beers are $4.00, I guarantee their friends are hopping on Stub Hub and getting tickets to the cheapest and most entertaining pregame in all of New York City.

Drinking outside is hardly a difficult sell, and the only thing that really holds that back at MLS games right now is the drink prices. If you look at beer prices at stadiums in literally any other country worldwide, you would feel absolutely robbed every time you bought a $15 drink at an American sporting event.

Austin FC Fans Celebrating a Goal with a Beer Shower (Via KXAN)

And sure, clubs will loose a chunk of game day revenue from the reduced margins, but they’ll make that back easily in the thousands of new fans they are generating. You get some dude in there just to capitalize on the cheap drinks, they get a little drunk and easily excitable, then all the sudden someone scores a worldie in the 90th minute and BAM - the stadium erupts, people are going crazy, and you’ve got a whole host of new fans in the stands.

I don’t want to see any of the numbers and figures you’re surely gonna throw at me here, cus frankly they’re BS. You want MLS to escape the constant hate? Get em drunk and let them experience footy the way it was meant to be watched: with one eye open and a little bit blurry.