Page 32 - Raynes Park Vale v Stansfeld

International World In Motion

World In Motion For a country of 330 million people,

Of course, Raynes Park is the centre of the footballing universe but there should be more than one profes-
sional league. The only other league that
apparently people play in other countries too. Who knew! We round up can be considered professional is the
some views from around the globe…this week..USA United Soccer League (USL). It is sep-

Hi RPV fans, Happy New Year to you arate from the MLS, with smaller clubs
all! This week I am going to explain and wage bills. Some of the teams in the
professional football in the USA. USL however are reserve teams for MLS
The structure of football in the USA clubs (New York Red Bulls II, LA Galaxy
is unique, mainly because it lacks the II, and Atlanta United II to name a few),
defining characteristic that makes which makes establishing pro/rel even
professional football around the more of a challenge! The USL has two
world as competitive as it is, namely leagues under it, USL1 and USL2 so pro/ Luke Ferrari. Luke is a footballer and
promotion & relegation. Imagine if rel between these leagues is possible. fan from New York who has played
there was no punishment for finishing Fans in the USA want to see competitive since he was four and is now in his
in the bottom 3 in the Premier League, soccer but need promotion and relega- third year of university at Siena Col-
and no reward for placing in the top Even if an MLS team lost every single tion to be a key component – they want lege in Albany, New York and playing
3 of the Championship! The absence match in a season, there would be no it to resemble European football. for Siena’s NCAA Division 1 men’s
of promotion & relegation is a theme penalty, in fact, they would benefit from I hope you all found this helpful in team. Luke also plays for Kingston
shared by all professional sports leagues having the first pick or ‘draft’ of the top explaining professional football in the Stockade FC, a semi professional
over here. Major League Soccer (MLS) is college soccer players in the country. USA. As always, it has been my pleasure team in the National Premier Soccer
the top level of professional football. The This is how every professional sports Come on you Vale! League.
games are fast and entertaining but lack league in America orders their drafts,
the competitiveness and urgency found and the theory behind it is that it would
across Europe. help to ‘even up’ teams and make next
Watching Premiership teams in the season’s matches more competitive. The
relegation zone play each other in an lack of pro/rel also means continuity is
end-of-season 6-pointer is a life or death difficult to maintain between the various
drama, with both fighting for survival professional levels in the country. With
and another year of Premier League the MLS at the top, it has the largest
football. It is this urgency, that is miss- clubs and attracts some of the best
ing from professional soccer here. Not known players from around the world.
only are teams in the MLS not punished Beckham, Henry, Gerrard, Villa, Nani,
with relegation for a poor season, they Lampard, Pirlo, Zlatan, and many others
are rewarded with higher picks in the have crossed the Atlantic to play in the
MLS Super Draft! What does this mean? MLS towards the end of their careers.