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One of the biggest attractions of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Convention each year is the session led by former USMNT forward Eric Wynalda. He is one of the most outspoken critics of the current system of soccer in the U.S. He delivers just as many good comments as unfounded opinions, but his contrarian approach is interesting regardless of where one stands on the current state of soccer.
MLS was the target of much of this year’s discussion. Promotion and relegation came up as would be expected anytime Wynalda is given a free platform. His session had social media buzzing, and although he did not offer a ton of solutions, Wynalda did speak with some positivity.
These are some of the worst things Wynalda said Saturday Morning. Be sure to check out the best snippets from his session as well.
5. MLS is Not Professional
Eric Wynalda: "Major League Soccer is not a professional league by definition."
— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) January 16, 2016
5. MLS is Not Professional
Wynalda has long felt he has an ax to grind with MLS. Many of this year's comments have been a part of his speeches since he appeared at the NSCAA Convention in 2012. However, to say that MLS is not a professional league is simply false. The players get a salary to play in a sport in a closed system with franchises. That is a typical professional league in the U.S. Part of this comment could be the fact that the league office intervenes on many player transactions, but Wynalda did not make that clear.
4. SoCal Can Beat the USMNT
Says he could put together a team of SoCal players that can beat MNT. If game is only 20 minutes. #BmoreNSCAA
— Beau Dure (@duresport) January 16, 2016
4. SoCal Can Beat the USMNT
Wynalda thinks he can beat the current USMNT, but the game can only last 20 minutes, rather than the usual 90. What does that show? Fitness is generally one of the USMNT's biggest strength and the game is always 90-plus minutes. Wynalda has a tendency to speak in a stream of consciousness and this is one of those times that he got off topic.
3. MLS is Losing Money
"Here's the reality: MLS is losing over $100 million a year." - Eric Wynalda says something that might backfire on him
— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) January 16, 2016
3. MLS is Losing Money
MLS may be losing money, but there is no way Wynalda would know just how much. With expanded television contracts and a boom in expansion, the league may not be losing money at all. Also, when someone that outwardly opposes a league makes up numbers, someone will work to try to make that person look dumb. Do not be surprised if someone close to MLS throws out a rebuttal soon.
2. Teammates Tried to Kill Wynalda
"I had three teammates that were trying to kill me. They didn't like me because I was American, maybe."
— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) January 16, 2016
2. Teammates Tried to Kill Wynalda
The context for this is that Wynalda was the first U.S. player in Germany and he was scared because he felt he was representing future USMNT players that could play in that league. However, conjecture and hyperbole are familiar tools for Wynalda. The climate for an American player in Germany in 1992 had to be tough, but to say teammates wanted him dead is ridiculous.
1. MLS is a Ponzi Scheme
"... if Don Garber gets his way - that's 32 teams, and each time, they have to pay the $100 million fee. That is a Ponzi scheme."
— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) January 16, 2016
1. MLS is a Ponzi Scheme
At the end of Wynalda's session he was hoping the Ponzi scheme comment could be retracted. There are plenty of opaque rules and the league is not always clear on its finances. However, the league owners and front office tend to work together, which is just one of the many reasons Wynalda was way off base with this concept.
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