“If the MLS wants to keep growing… the decision-makers must loosen the rules,” remarked former Austrian defender Christian Fuchs a year ago. Powerful words. It couldn’t have come from a better name, someone who enjoyed the highs of the English Premier League, as well as success with Charlotte FC. Over the years, Major League Soccer has made its intentions clear about competing with Europe. However, that doesn’t seem to be happening. They continue to operate by their own playbook. While there’s nothing wrong with that, USMNT icon Eric Wynalda believes it’s high time they stop doing things entirely their own way.

The MLS’s playoff system has garnered considerable criticism. To quickly sum it up, after 30 teams that are divided into East and West conferences finish their regular season, the top nine teams from each conference automatically qualify for the playoffs. However, several teams must play a best-of-three series to advance to the conference semifinals, preceded by a wildcard round among the lower-ranked teams.

The entire process stretches over a month before the conference finals are decided. Of course, for an outsider, this can be confusing, and Eric Wynalda is no exception, even though he is from the same nation! “MLS playoffs are here, and I’m confused. If you’re not confused, then explain it to me,” he began on the latest segment of Unleashed. “This is such b——-. I don’t understand the premise that we could have this many teams in the playoffs to start with.” 

Aside from the fact that 18 teams make the cut, Eric Wynalda expressed his disbelief over the three-game series format. The 56-year-old highlighted the irony of how, on one hand, there are constant concerns about players being overworked and their health being at risk, yet on the other, they are subjected to an even more grueling playoff schedule at the end of the season. To make matters worse, he pointed out how an uncontrollable factor worsens this.

“The worst part of the season where the weather’s about to stop cooperating and say, ‘Oh, we’re just going to add a couple more games to the slate.’ This doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. I don’t care what anybody says,” he added.

For context, Wynalda even cited Los Angeles FC, stating that they would have to wait almost 18 days before their next playoff game!

“Just let that sink in,” he concluded.

And LAFC is just one example, as several other teams will have to wait even longer. No wonder another irony struck Wynalda, who pointed out that, on one hand, we are seeing 18 teams competing in the MLS playoffs, while some leagues around the world have fewer than 18 teams in total!

“Bottom line is the playoffs stink. We don’t do it right… It’s embarrassing,” concluded the American tactician. Boy, is Wynalda furious with the MLS. To be fair, he isn’t alone, as many greats of the beautiful game have raised similar concerns. But it doesn’t end there...

Playoffs are the least of concerns for the MLS

It’s true. Many have questioned MLS policies, one of which is the salary cap. Globally, there’s no such thing as a salary cap, with players earning as much as their value allows. However, in the U.S., not just the men’s league but also the NWSL operates under this, a system that has often drawn criticism in the past.

Another key concern is that MLS teams tend to focus more on signing star players rather than developing their own talent. Over the decades, the league has witnessed big names like David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, and Lionel Messi, among many others, with much of Europe labeling it a “retirement home” for aging stars.

While that shouldn’t be the case, Zlatan Ibrahimović once mentioned in an interview, insisting that star signings alone won’t take Major League Soccer to the level of its European counterparts.

The Swede urged the league to focus on nurturing its youngsters instead: “You want to have a base even for the national team or the league. Otherwise, you’ll end up paying a lot for big stars,” he said, emphasizing that big names are often brought in just for views. But it isn’t sustainable in any way.

Similar views were echoed by Christian Fuchs, who noted, “There is a realization that the Premier League is the best not because there are one or two stars, but because every team has really top players.” So yes, many more than one issue exists. What remains to be seen is whether MLS will address them, as failure to do so will only lead to more criticism and negativity it continues to face.