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Toronto FC: Should MLS change format to season?

By Paul Taylor

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 07: The Philip F. Anschutz trophy is displayed on the field prior to the 2014 MLS Cup match between the New England Revolution and the Los Angeles Galaxy at StubHub Center on December 7, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 07: The Philip F. Anschutz trophy is displayed on the field prior to the 2014 MLS Cup match between the New England Revolution and the Los Angeles Galaxy at StubHub Center on December 7, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /
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Despite Toronto FC setting a new MLS points record, they could still end the season without the ultimately glory. Does MLS need to copy how leagues are set up in Europe?

Simply but, Toronto FC has had a season for the ages. They’ve won the Supporters’ Shield with the most points in MLS history, they clinched the Canadian Championship and qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League.

And yet, as insane as it seems to even write this, the 2017 campaign could still turn out to be a major disappointment. Welcome to the world of football/soccer in North America.

MLS has made great strides, since starting play in 1996. Empty stadiums, teams folding and losing money have been replaced by booming attendances, big name stars and making a profit.

However, if Toronto FC do not win the MLS Cup this season, it will surely raise the ongoing debate regarding how MLS is set up. More specifically, why the league winners aren’t crowned as ultimate champions, as is the case around Europe.

Is it possible that continuing to have playoffs after the regular season concludes, will always be held against MLS? Will it stop the league from ever raising to a similar level of prominence enjoyed by the likes of the English Premier League, La Liga and Serie A?

Some people may scoff at the idea of MLS ever reaching these heights, but again, consider how far the league has come in the last 21 years. Who would have ever thought the likes of David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Kaka and Steven Gerrard would willingly play in North America?

In case you’re wondering, this doesn’t mean we think the current setup is terrible. The playoffs offer the chance for a more wide-open league, where anyone is theoretically capable of winning the ultimate honor MLS has to offer.

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Consider that since 1996, 11 different teams have won the MLS Cup. By comparison, over the same period there have been just five different champions in the English Premier League, La Liga and Serie A.

We appreciate why MLS decided to use the current format in the first place, given it is the model used by the four major sports in North America. There is no doubt the playoffs add more excitement to the season.

Further, if Toronto FC are as good as advertised, they should be beating all comers during the playoffs anyway, in their quest to be called the best MLS team of all time. Besides, as the saying goes, if it isn’t broken, why fix it?

Ultimately, it’s tough to know whether MLS should actually change their setup. But you have to admit something doesn’t seem quite right about Toronto FC not being the league’s top team, if they don’t win the MLS Cup.

Next: TFC set new MLS points record

What’s your opinion of how the MLS season is played out? Do you agree with the current system, or should they have a similar setup to Europe? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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