Instead of talk of the MLS adjusting its season to more align the league with the international calendar, a potential winter World Cup in Qatar for 2022 might shift European leagues to the MLS calendar.
A winter World Cup in 11 years is already stressing out the English FA but some Germans seem to think it provides an opportunity for Bundesliga to move its season schedule to a more weather-friendly February-November timetable.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen sporting director and German World Cup legend Rudi Voeller voiced this opinion, noting that, “Of the 34 matchdays, you feel the cold in 20.” Wolfsburg manager Dieter Hoeness echoes the call for a shift in the league calendar, declaring he’s been an advocate of playing the footy during Germany’s most beautiful months for 10 years now.
Now, how are MLS designated players supposed to get loaned out to Euro leagues during the close season again?
Don’t some of the Scandinavian leagues already do this because of the weather?
@ BG: Correct you are sir. Russia was off-schedule as well, but just decided to switch to the Big 5 Euro league calendar, I think for the 2012 season.
I prefer a February-November schedule, but there’s no way I see that happening.
Hmm. I don’t know how I’d feel about this. On the one hand, it would be very nice to have meaningful soccer on in the summer every year. On the other hand, winter would be pretty bleak without it.
Another thing, assuming all of Europe would switch to such a schedule, what happens to the Copa America (and to a lesser extent, the Gold Cup)? I don’t know if clubs would enjoy losing their South American players for a month. Though maybe it’s a wash as now the African Nations Cup would be in the off season.
And what of the World Cup? Would it ever go back to Northern Europe in the winter? Or the USA? Althought the US would have plenty of alternatives in the southern portion of the country.
Just saw that the IOC is upset now too, a Winter World Cup would be head to head with the Olympics. Hadn’t thought of that. Clearly the only solution is to hold the Winter Olympics in Qatar as well.
@ Ryan: Beware! Reading some stuff on Qatar, their Olympic Committee has the IOC next in its sites for corrupt international sports orgs to commit to an event. A Gulf States Olympics is the future!
@Ryan: the Copa America is only played in July because of the European league schedules. If those changed, I think Conmebol would gladly organize the Copa America in the summer time.
@BG: Their summer, our winter?
Yes, January.
BG: Hmm, thanks, I suppose that makes sense.