Andrew Dixon looks at areas where Major League Soccer has the numbers to show they're moving in the right direction. Namely, the recent Racial and Gender Report Card.
By Andrew Dixon
MIAMI, FL (Oct 9, 2008) USSSoccerPlayers -- Let’s be real.
MLS has gotten perpetual stepchild treatment since its inception 13 and half years ago.
We expected it from (at the risk of sounding like Sarah Palin) the mainstream media, and the soccer haters haven’t disappointed. From the constant irritant that is Jim Rome, to the self important Mike Lupica, to Gene Wojciechowski’s comparison of the game to hockey on Valium to now even Peyton Manning in his latest commercial, soccer still has had its share of detractors.
To some extent, we expected the disdain MLS got from fans of other leagues.
We’ve been hearing for years about how the quality of play and tradition in MLS doesn’t measure up to the various European leagues that have been in existence since the early 1900s, how the passion in the stands don’t match the South American experience in La Bombenera or Estadio Saprissa or Estadio Azteca or anywhere else in Latin America where they’ve been playing the game since the 1920s or whatever.
Fine, I’m used to that.
But what’s hasn’t escaped this Grown Man is the fact that those of us who do love the game here in the US - and those who write about it - haven’t been shy in our constant criticisms of the League either. For the most part, the criticisms have been valid. Things to hook the casual American fan such as the shootout used to decide games tied at the end of regulation and the descending clock were downright silly and arguably anti-soccer. The inequitable pay scales between the top players on each team and the reserves have been rightfully called out, especially with the advent of the Designated Player Rule. And do we really need to have halftime entertainment at MLS Cup?
This year, MLS teams have failed to make a serious impact on the international level with teams like DC United and the Revolution being outperformed by supposedly inferior USL sides. The playoffs are rapidly approaching and someone will start complaining about how the playoff format is absurd and needs to be changed (again). Even David Beckham, who’s been diplomatic about the differences between MLS and Europe has spoken out against MLS continuing to play through international dates, a practice The Don has had to defend.
I am by no means excluding myself from this group. I wasn’t shy about voicing my displeasure at the lack of African players in the wake of the African Cup of Nations (though that’s starting to change). I wondered aloud whether things like draft combines and single-entity is hindering the league’s growth and reputation.
It could be argued that pundits criticize constructively, that we want to see MLS succeed. Sometimes we wonder if what’s being done is best for the League. But have we gotten to the point where criticize is ALL we do?
I ask this because I noticed the rather muted (if any) response to the annual Racial and Gender Report Card study put forth by Richard Lapchick of the University of Central Florida that was released a few weeks ago. The study examines each American sport and grades them on their hiring practices as it relates to women and minorities.
MLS scored quite well in this study, earning A’s for in the categories of MLS League Office, players, head coaches, and team professional administration, second only to the NBA in this regard.
Using findings from the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, the study reported that the league has the highest percentage of CEOs/Team Presidents in American professional sports, recognized higher number of persons of color on the MLS Board of Governors, the rise in the number of coaches of color, noted the increase of women holding positions in the league office and as team administrators, and praised the league’s diversity initiatives.
Quoting the report, “Major League Soccer has sustained a great record on racial hiring practices and has demonstrated a remarkable rebound in gender hiring… Commissioner Garber and his staff did a great job this year.”
Now, one could argue that these numbers are a bit skewed considering the small number of MLS teams vis-a-vis the other leagues. Also, Fernando Clavijo and Cobi Jones, both mentioned in the report, are no longer head coaches but the report didn’t count Ruud Gullit either. Nonetheless, this is rather positive news for the League. MLS got about the same overall mark (B+) as the NFL who have had to make serious (and public) efforts in this regard.
However, among soccer journalists it seemingly only got cursory mentions on blogs and some papers. Perhaps this isn’t an issue that most journalists are concerned about. It should be something to be celebrated. You simply don’t see this type of diversity in European and South American leagues, even in countries where a noticeable population of color can be found.
With the long history of exclusion in sports like baseball, the NFL, and certainly the “sport” of golf, MLS is one of those sports entities that is leading the way. Yes, I’m Black so this makes me happy, but I think every MLS fan can take pride and comfort in knowing that our league is doing the right thing.
The fact that we don't makes me feel that we in the media aren't take enough time to give MLS props for what it is doing right, despite its growing pains. The gradual increased level of play, the ability to land some good foreign talent, the nurturing and development of our own talent, soccer specific stadiums, including the one scheduled to open tonight in Utah.... Heck, the fact that the League is still here when so many thought it would fail within 3-5 years deserves is proof that MLS has a chance to be a top professional organization.
Those things often get pushed aside in favor by the constant criticism leveled by those of us in the media. I’m not above criticizing the league when it deserves it, but I’m going to try and speak its positives as well.
Then again, all this is just One Grown Man’s Opinion
Andrew Dixon is a soccer writer based in Miami and a weekly columnist for USSoccerPlayers. Contact him at: golnoir@golnoir.net
