The United States is looking to firmly establish itself on the global football stage, with the upcoming World Cup in North America seen as a defining moment for the sport in the country. Enormous pressure rests on Mauricio Pochettino and his players, as the trajectory of American football hinges on the team's success in the tournament. The sport has already made incredible strides in popularity thanks to investment and an influx of world superstars.
However, looking back to the 1994 World Cup hosted by the USA, the country laid the groundwork for building on hosting the world's greatest tournament by creating Major League Soccer (MLS). But not everything was well received. The old-style MLS penalties, introduced in the league's early days, remain a laughing stock today, 27 years after they were abandoned. Instead of the classic static penalty from 12 yards, the format featured a timed one-on-one between player and goalkeeper.
With America's position as host, fans have humorously questioned whether this bonkers idea should be revived. Thankfully, FIFA hasn't considered it, something former Liverpool, Blackburn, Aston Villa, and Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who earned 82 caps for the USA, is grateful for. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sport, via prediction market experts at casino.org, Friedel recalled: "The shootouts were ridiculous, and I hated taking part in them. And no, they should not be brought back. They should be left in the video cabinet."
Friedel's MLS Experience
Friedel left the MLS when the league was in its infancy, playing just one full season at Columbus Crew between 1996 and 1997. He returned to his homeland after earning a scholarship at UCLA Bruins, but left the States to sign for Brondby in Denmark before turning out for Galatasaray. "You can't compare the MLS to when I was there. I was playing mainly in American Football stadiums and a lot of really bad fields with bad turf," he said. "The salary cap levels, I think were only at about the $2 million mark or something like that. Where the game's grown today is unrecognisable. Most of the teams have their own stadium and the training grounds that people have built are incredible."
Future Improvements Needed
Friedel insisted the league must go further to ensure the quality of football improves. He continued: "I do think that they should sanction teams from playing on AstroTurf. I don't think that should be allowed. And I think the MLS should stand up to some of these owners that keep mandating they have turf. I think that's another step in the right direction. But the game keeps growing. I know people always want to get ahead of themselves and say they're on par with certain other US sports, but they're not yet."
"It's also still below the top European leagues and even some of the mid-tier European leagues, but it's growing. They desperately need to get a television contract that pays for their salary caps though. That's the next step there. I'm sure they're hoping that the World Cup helps with the sponsor revenues and the television revenues and the viewership figures, because what my fear is, is that if they can't find that television contract and you go another decade of losses, pretty soon the owners will stop wanting to write the checks."
The USMNT begin their campaign on Saturday, June 13 against Paraguay, before taking on Australia and Turkey in a group they are favourites to win.
