Sepp Blatter has to be the stupidest person on the planet. Professional sports in the US and Canada is probably the most saturated market in the world. MLS must compete against four of the most entrenched professional sports leagues in the world (NFL, MLB, NHL and NBA) plus a plethora of other sports and minor leagues of the big four. The fact that MLS has been able to establish itself and maintain an average attendance in the top ten of world soccer leagues is a feat in itself. Sepp Blatter has done little to help soccer's cause in our nations by failing to address corruption in FIFA, apprehension on goalline technology and overall demogagery in the running of world soccer. Blatter would be better served by shutting his mouth and actually doing something than criticizing those who are working hard to make the sport viable in a very difficult climate. I don't see anyone talking about the great professional soccer league in Blatter's home nation of Switzerland. Oh wait, hockey is the game there!

If you look at Baltter's comments from a development perspective, Blatter's comments are ridiculous. MLS growth has been slow (sometimes painfully so)but steady. In some markets (particularly the Pacific NW) the market is downright healthy and when you compare where we are to where the NASL was at the same age, you have to call the league a success. But Blatter 's view has nothing to do with development and everything to do with $$$$$ for the feeding troughs at FIFA. In this regard, the league IS a failure. Still being alive after 18 years (no mean feat), Full stadiums in Seattle, Portland, KC, or Sandy UT, frugal spending habits, and slowly growing interst in the World Game aren't translating into big enough TV rights and advertising (US)dollars for their Global brand. US soccer fans should not take umbrage because this is not a soccer issue at all

Easiest response is the Blatter is now and always has been the north end of a horse headed south. I wasn't aware Sepp was an expert on American society and what professional leagues they recognized. Other than blatant corruption, I cannot understand how this man stays in power. Hard to get too upset though at criticism that comes from a man whose idea of solving racism is to shake hands after the match.