The Execs Running the New MLS Next Pro League Go In-Depth on Their Goals For the League, Innovation, Deciding Tied Games with Penalty Shootouts, the Importance of DEI Opportunities and Much More
Really disappointed there was no context in the discussion about how this new second-level league would be impacted by the existence of the USL, and why another second-level league was even a good thing for soccer in the US. It was a highly relevant topic begging to be brought up by the moderator (Grant), but it wasn’t, a fact that I then wondered why it wasn’t. Too controversial of a topic for the guests so he was protecting them?
I have listened to and liked all of Futbol with Grant Wahl audio podcasts, until this one. The two participants, especially the blowhard from Harvard, were extremely hard to listen to, full of self-import and lacking charisma, unlike most previous podcast guests. They seemed most proud of the clever name of the league, MLS Next Pro, and never made any logical case as to why this new league had any connection to the 2026 WC. They seemed to just to say there was some connection, without saying what it was. And they were so proud of the PK shootout idea as if they were incredible innovators. Ever watch the NHL with its shootouts?
I struggled to listen to the audio podcast, and was close to leaving every five minutes. But I soldiered on, not happily, maybe because I felt loyalty to the Futbol podcasts, and was waiting for the discussion to improve at some point, and to become more interesting. The podcast was such a train wreck that I was curious how and when it would get better. The two guests were really boring, in their comments and droning way of speaking. The podcast eventually did improve in the last 10-15 minutes about the diversity topic, especially the comments by Ali. So I felt rewarded for hanging in and fighting through the useless first 35 minutes. But the Harvard guy made all the safe, PC comments about Diversity that every White executive makes these days, and not very believable.
Overall, this was the worst Futbol podcast I have experienced.
I was very curious about NextPro. But after hearing this I have more questions than answers. Why is this league necessary? What is the business plan for teams? Why would a city want a team instead of USL?
Your latest podcast must be your longest ever. To much political correctness at times. Womens soccer is doing super and I like that, some very talented players and coaches. It’s good that men and womens soccer is working well together. I had a Sounders reserve team in early 1980s.
Really disappointed there was no context in the discussion about how this new second-level league would be impacted by the existence of the USL, and why another second-level league was even a good thing for soccer in the US. It was a highly relevant topic begging to be brought up by the moderator (Grant), but it wasn’t, a fact that I then wondered why it wasn’t. Too controversial of a topic for the guests so he was protecting them?
I have listened to and liked all of Futbol with Grant Wahl audio podcasts, until this one. The two participants, especially the blowhard from Harvard, were extremely hard to listen to, full of self-import and lacking charisma, unlike most previous podcast guests. They seemed most proud of the clever name of the league, MLS Next Pro, and never made any logical case as to why this new league had any connection to the 2026 WC. They seemed to just to say there was some connection, without saying what it was. And they were so proud of the PK shootout idea as if they were incredible innovators. Ever watch the NHL with its shootouts?
I struggled to listen to the audio podcast, and was close to leaving every five minutes. But I soldiered on, not happily, maybe because I felt loyalty to the Futbol podcasts, and was waiting for the discussion to improve at some point, and to become more interesting. The podcast was such a train wreck that I was curious how and when it would get better. The two guests were really boring, in their comments and droning way of speaking. The podcast eventually did improve in the last 10-15 minutes about the diversity topic, especially the comments by Ali. So I felt rewarded for hanging in and fighting through the useless first 35 minutes. But the Harvard guy made all the safe, PC comments about Diversity that every White executive makes these days, and not very believable.
Overall, this was the worst Futbol podcast I have experienced.
I was very curious about NextPro. But after hearing this I have more questions than answers. Why is this league necessary? What is the business plan for teams? Why would a city want a team instead of USL?
Your latest podcast must be your longest ever. To much political correctness at times. Womens soccer is doing super and I like that, some very talented players and coaches. It’s good that men and womens soccer is working well together. I had a Sounders reserve team in early 1980s.