What does it say about MLS that Leagues Cup was unable to get a TV deal in Mexico? We discuss the breaking news from Mexico where the TV networks have thumbed their noses at the US-based Leagues Cup competition involving MLS teams. 
We also analyze how MLS is now so dependent on Lionel Messi being a success for ticket sales, TV ratings, MLS Season Pass subscriptions and merchandise, but is the league over-dependent on one player?
Also discussed is the news of Jon Champion heading to NBC Sports, and who his co-commentators may be, as well as whether USL is going to miss out on a major opportunity to ride the wave with Messi, World Cup 2026 and other major soccer events. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MLS Success Overly Dependent on Messi

If you're a soccer fan who eats, lives and breathes the game, we're for you. Several times a week, we discuss the Premier League, World Cup, Champions League, La Liga, Serie A and other competitions. 
As the longest running soccer podcast on the planet, World Soccer Talk also analyzes the television coverage and how you can watch the best leagues from around the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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We jump into reading the feedback from soccer fans throughout the United States and our analysis and experience about why soccer fans are not signing up for MLS Season Pass, fifteen months after the service launched on Apple TV. Has MLS moving to Apple left the door wide-open for USL, NWSL, and EPL to increase their viewership on US TV? How can MLS compete against other streaming services that offer better soccer for less money? How fans of Liga MX are flipping to the Premier League, and how the rest of the leagues are left picking up the scraps?
We also dive into MLS Commissioner Don Garber’s hypocritical comments when he spoke to World Soccer Talk about his reaction to foreign leagues wanting to play official league games in the United States. Plus, he shared with us about the possibilities of more soccer rights coming to Apple soon, and whether Major League Soccer would welcome that Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why aren't fans signing up for MLS Season Pass?

It's been more than one year since MLS Season Pass has launched, so it's perfect timing to identify the pros and cons of the streaming product as well as the market conditions that are impacting it. What has improved, what needs to improve and what issues are impacting the growth of Major League Soccer's revolutionary streaming product such as CBS Sports Golazo Network and other free services?
We also discuss how many people tuned into the CBS network to watch the historic USL Championship game between Louisville City and Indy Eleven.
Other topics debated include the perception of The Athletic as a mouthpiece for MLS. Plus we share your questions and feedback in the Listener Mailbag segment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MLS Season Pass pros and cons after year one

This week's episode discusses Gio Reyna in the USA vs Jamaica game, what European title races are the most exciting, the reaction to the first round of the US Open Cup, ESPN's poor coverage of the FA Cup, The Athletic's cozy relationship with MLS, and a tribute to Joe Barone.
There's more soccer on streaming now than ever before that it's sometimes hard to find common ground with fellow soccer fans. It often feels like two worlds colliding — the mainstream soccer games against niche leagues. Despite this, there's enough soccer for people to choose from. No matter which teams or leagues we're all watching, there are plenty of things in common to discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Soccer Worlds Collide

Shown by its mismanagement of the US Open Cup, the US Soccer Federation has lost all authority as the governing body for the sport in this country. USSF has allowed MLS to become the most powerful soccer entity in this country. At the same time, the US soccer system is a mess as leagues compete against leagues. The chaos of the way that the US Open Cup debacle has been run shows how weak the leadership is under the US Soccer Federation.
Also discussed in this episode is the new TV deals from USL and NWSL, and how those two leagues will be giving MLS a run for its money since the launch of MLS Season Pass. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US Soccer Federation bows down to MLS

In this week's episode, we discuss whether the soccer streaming bubble has burst. We also dive into a breakdown of the ESPN, FOX, and TNT app and whether it’s a killer app. We discuss the Premier League’s domination of the soccer landscape in the United States, and how that may not be a good thing. Plus, when even the biggest story happens in a league but no one seems to care, what does that say? We also answer the questions, can LaLiga close the gap with the Premier League, and what do the leagues Serie A, EFL, and Ligue 1 do about their next rights deals in the USA? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MLS Success Overly Dependent on Messi

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