MLS Cup 2010 between the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas on ESPN drew the lowest overnight ratings of any final on record despite its prime-time placement.
The match drew a 0.5 overnightrating Sunday night, down 44 percent from the 2009 rating (0.9) for the Real Salt Lake-Los Angeles, the first prime-time telecast and the only final featuring DavidBeckham. MLS Cup 2008 featuring the New York Red Bulls in their only MLS Cup appearance against the Columbus Crew drew a 0.7 in the last final on ABC — the previous lowest.
The0.5 overnight rating is the lowest rating for overnight ratings available since 1998. In the last 12 years, MLS Cup 2001 is the only final to draw an overnight rating above 1.0.
Seeeee, we Americans aren’t so crazy about Championship games for soccer. I doubt this will change anything for next year, but maybe in five to ten years, if the trend continues, will MLS scrap the playoffs and focus on the supporter’s shield as the true Champion? Give us a true league cup as well, where all the teams are put into a tournament, but make this end well before the last game of the MLS season. Have the top teams of the season go to Champions League, plus league cup winners, plus open cup, then go with pro/rel… That will get more ratings for MLS. I enjoyed MLS Cup though, but I still don’t think its fair for League winners.
Seeeee, we Americans aren’t so crazy about Championship games for soccer. I doubt this will change anything for next year, but maybe in five to ten years, if the trend continues, will MLS scrap the playoffs and focus on the supporter’s shield as the true Champion? Give us a true league cup as well, where all the teams are put into a tournament, but make this end well before the last game of the MLS season. Have the top teams of the season go to Champions League, plus league cup winners, plus open cup, then go with pro/rel… That will get more ratings for MLS. I enjoyed MLS Cup though, but I still don’t think its fair for League winners.