Stop the American Threat to Global Football

Comments

#2

Enough is enough. If U.S. Soccer continues to be a FIFA member they need to implement FIFA's global rules of the game. Sporting merit, solidarity, and promotion and relegation.

(Buffalo Grove, 2021-04-23)

#6

I'm signing because I want my country to honor the beautiful game in the tradition of competition and merit, putting our communities first.

I want the smallest of communities to be able to have the biggest dreams of building their club and earning the highest division in this country.

I'm tired of my football being corrupted and reduced to money and markets, controlled by a small circle of wealthy owners.

CHANGE THE PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE STANDARDS!

(Detroit, 2021-04-23)

#7

I'm a member of SF City FC, a lower league US club, and I believe clubs like ours should have a path to play our way to the top!

(DALY CITY, 2021-04-23)

#13

I’m signing because America deeeeves better than the shite that is MLS

(Binghamton, 2021-04-23)

#15

As the president of a lower-division club in the USA, my club should have the same opportunity to compete at the highest levels as clubs in other countries do.

Sporting merit matters!

(Dubuque, 2021-04-23)

#23

I want clubs n the United States to have the same opportunities clubs all over the world have to advance on sporting merit.

(Gainesville, 2021-04-23)

#29

FIFA allowing the United States and Canada (and more recently, Mexico) to operate outside of its own stated laws has gone on for far too long, and for no valid reason. The closed pyramid in these countries greatly stifles the development of players, access to the sport, and sustainability of clubs. It benefits a select few ultra-wealthy owners at the expense of every other community and club across the continent, and only serves to embolden greed-driven interests abroad.

The closed pyramid effectively killed my local historic professional club when one of the owners, an icon of the game, was rebuffed by those who control the top division when suggesting the adoption of promotion and relegation, and subsequently took his investment to La Liga instead. After which a franchise of the top division, which purchased its place in said division, and with an arbitrary 100 mile radius of first division exclusivity endorsed by our federation, moved into the home of my club, despite naming themselves after another city 30 miles away, and demolished one of the most storied soccer grounds in our nation to build a training ground and temporary venue.

Allowing the closed system to persist here threatens the very fabric of the game everywhere.

(Fort Lauderdale, 2021-04-23)

#30

A league without pro/rel is a meritless entity it's time for the US to join the rest of the world

(Reno, 2021-04-23)

#31

*All* stakeholders in U.S. soccer should have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream, and that’s only possible with an open soccer pyramid and solidarity among stakeholders at all levels of the game.

(Gorham, 2021-04-23)

#32

My team, CHATTANOOGAFC has had many struggles due to the nature of the closed US system we have.

(Chattanooga, 2021-04-23)

#33

The collusion between USSF, MLS and SUM are ruining the sport in the US.

(Brooklyn, 2021-04-23)

#38

I'm signing because… After a quarter-century, MLS (and the closed league model) is a colossal failure as it pertains to "growing the game" in the United States. Youth training is exclusionary, completely focused on profit, and has failed to produce a team that has been able to even QUALIFY for an Olympic Tournament since 2008. Our most talented players refuse to play domestically and our National Team performs worse than before the roster was made primarily of players who are in the MLS system or have been trained in the environment it fosters. The closed league system MLS operates in has set the bar so low for the sport in America that results no longer matter. Soon, neither will the sport.

(Cleveland, 2021-04-23)

#40

I want the game protected worldwide, and I hope to see American Soccer implement an open system

(New Castle, 2021-04-23)

#43

I believe in tearing down the artificial barriers to professional soccer in North America. For the game and community to truly flourish, professional soccer must exist within an open "pyramid" of competition that includes Promotion & Relegation and the absence of Professional League Standards.

(Lancaster, 2021-04-23)

#44

MLS/SUM exist contrary universal principles of the game

(Mount Pleasant, 2021-04-23)

#45

I would love to see promotion and relegation and think it would benefit the league and competitive and as fans this would increase fans being more United and loyal to their teams

(Denver, 2021-04-23)

#46

The American sports model is bullshit that promotes mediocrity and does not properly reward success and punish failure. Time and again we see teams intentionally throw games at the end of seasons to gain better draft picks. This isn't sport. What it is is billionaire owners making more money for themselves by abusing their players and staff and squeezing every cent possible out of fans.

(Sun Prairie, 2021-04-23)

#48

USSF and SUM and MLS are disenfranchising millions of soccer players, fans, and coaches in the USA.

(Remington, VA, 2021-04-23)

#53

I'm signing because futbol or soccer it belongs to everyone, players, fans and also investors but it isnt a property of a few

(Merida, 2021-04-23)

#55

We need an open system to grow the game in the US and drive investment to lower division soccer. Closed football with artificial parity will never compete against the best in Europe.

(Oakland, 2021-04-23)

#57

Enough is enough! Reform USSF! Open the pyramid!! Pro/Rel for USA!!!

(Overland Park KS, 2021-04-23)

#60

I'm tired of Capitalism ******* everything up in summary

(San Francisco, 2021-04-23)

#61

I'm signing because an open system is the best way to grow the game of football in our country, adheres to the principles of the game as outlined by FIFA, and embodies American principles of fair play and equal opportunity

(San Francisco, 2021-04-23)

#62

I am tired of watching greedy MLS owner place teams wherever they want and not allowing other teams to earn their way into the top tier of American soccer.

(West Warwick, 2021-04-23)

#64

I believe in Promotion Relegation and Sporting Merit!

(Neenah, 2021-04-23)

#65

USA needs an open system. American owners should not destroy European game.

(St. Louis, 2021-04-23)

#66

North America deserves the same merit based football system that the Rest of the world enjoys.

(Tacoma, 2021-04-23)

#67

Football cannot merely be a machine to make money for the already wealthy

(London, 2021-04-23)

#68

I believe in sporting meritocracy and opportunities for all.

(Gillette, 2021-04-23)

#70

It’s a disgrace here in America you have to buy your way into the first division.

(Attica, 2021-04-23)

#71

I have been a long time proponent of pro/rel and am tired of SUM’s stranglehold on the game here.

(El Cajon, 2021-04-23)

#72

The MLS is bad for the sport.

(Miami Springs, Florida, 2021-04-23)

#73

Football should be rooted in sporting merit.

(Midland, MI, 2021-04-23)

#74

I’m tired of communities being left of if the Futbol pyramid in this country by greedy billionaires that continue to disrespect The Beautiful Game.

(Indio, 2021-04-24)

#75

An open system is the only way to fix the broken system of grassroots all the way to the top of the pyramid. USSF has been hiding behind profits and greed at the expense of the game in the US.

(Saint Charles, 2021-04-24)

#79

The current closed system is preventing thousands of talented players from chasing their dreams, is depriving communities all over the US from having truly local, multi-generational clubs as community assets, is designed to be exclusive to just the wealthy and entitled, and otherwise just sucks all around.

(South portland, 2021-04-24)

#82

The mls system is destroying American soccer.

(Jacksonville, 2021-04-24)

#84

Every community in North America deserves a chance to grow the sport in a system that thrives on merit.

(New Orleans, 2021-04-24)

#85

This is way overdue. Don’t let the money men ruin the beautiful game.

(Frankfort, 2021-04-24)

#87

I'm signing because I want soccer to have a chance to grow in all corners of America. I want every club to have a chance to earn greatness on the pitch. I want the many, many millions of Americans who love soccer to be engaged in the game. I want the audience to expand & participation in playing soccer to go sky high. I want US soccer to be about advancing the game not propping-up a set of investors who get to own pro soccer & do with it what they please, no matter the result.

(Arlington, 2021-04-24)

#88

I want my team promoted when it wins.

(Brooklyn, 2021-04-24)

#92

We need to have a land of opportunity for any soccer club to try to flourish, including a national system of promotion and relegation, not the existing closed system that stifles Soccer’s growth.

(Glendale, 2021-04-24)

#94

Fuck You Don Garber, ML$, and the U$$F!!!

(New York, 2021-04-24)

#95

I'm signing because sports merit is the foundation of the people's game, not the few millionaires.

(Atlanta, 2021-04-24)

#97

I cannot think of anything more important and fulfilling in the world of soccer than promotion/relegation. The sport simply is not the same without it and its lessons stretch well beyond the playing field: transparency, merit, honesty, teamwork, community... that’s what pro/rel and soccer is about and it makes life all the more better. I care more about this topic than most things in life and I will never stop advocating for the current closed system to change in America. It is inherently American, this concept that all people should have access to the same opportunities - and be able to prove their skills and grit. The owners of MLS and USSF cannot hide from this topic any longer. If you (the owners) really want to make several billions instead of a few billions, then get out of this sport because it’s not about that - accept this fact and let the game finally open up to everyone in America.

(Alicante, 2021-04-24)

#114

I HATE THE ML$/USSF CLOSED SYSTEM and how it almost destroyed European Football

(Key Largo, 2021-04-24)

#117

#GlazersOut

(LEAMINGTON SPA, 2021-04-24)

#118

The MLS is a greedy league that only benefits the rich. There are many clubs in the lower tiers of U.S. football that deserve the chance play at the highest level without having to fork over millions of dollars.

(Louisville, 2021-04-24)

#124

#ProRelForUSA

(Scott Depot, WV, 2021-04-24)

#127

#glazersout 🔰

(Bray, 2021-04-24)

#129

I love the game if Soccer!

(Washington, 2021-04-24)

#130

It’s the right thing to do

(Hiroshima, 2021-04-24)

#136

We want promotion relegation.

(San Antonio, 2021-04-24)

#138

Pro/rep is what makes soccer interesting.

(San Jose, 2021-04-24)

#143

Fuck capitalism

(Sunnyside, 2021-04-24)

#144

I have no desire to watch or support a closed system with no promotion/relegation.

(Brooklyn, 2021-04-24)

#147

I do not want this closed football league

(Kadapa, 2021-04-24)

#148

Football is for everyone, Not for people with $$

(Bangalore, 2021-04-24)

#153

I am signing because I want to see promotion/relegation in MLS and I want clubs in USL to have the chance to get promoted to MLS.

(Mountlake Terrace, 2021-04-24)

#155

I’m signing because European and continental competitions should be entered into on merit. Relegation, promotion and European entry should always be part of our game, anyone connected to the ESL is doing so out of greed. Protect our football pyramid and stop trying to fix what isn’t broke.

(Liverpool, 2021-04-24)

#159

To protect the global game in all its territories

(Guangzhou, 2021-04-24)

#161

A competition without true competition is not sport.

(Englewood, 2021-04-24)

#165

New York Cosmos Champions

(Astoria, 2021-04-24)

#167

I sincerely care about soccer in this country and want us to be the best we can be.

(Milwaukee, 2021-04-24)

#169

I want FIFA to require that the USSF must follow all the rules being applied to other federations around the world. I want to see PROMOTION & RELEGATION forced upon American leagues sanctioned by the US Soccer Federation—within the next year or two.

(Tampa, 2021-04-24)

#171

As Americans we need to do better!!

(Royal Oak, 2021-04-25)

#172

I am signing because the closed leagues in the USA and threat of closed leagues only suffocates the growth and spirit of the game.

(Chickamauga, 2021-04-25)

#175

North America deserves an open system

(Tucson, 2021-04-25)

#176

The game needs to be protected

(Chattanooga, 2021-04-25)

#177

My community deserves the same opportunities in the global game of soccer as any other in the U.S. We are tired of being held back by the greed of a few billionaires.

(Syracuse, 2021-04-25)

#178

I believe in merit-based competition for a healthy structure.

(Aurora, 2021-04-25)

#179

I want to grow the game I soccer in the us, to do so with integrity, and to bring the game too everyone in the US

(Erie, 2021-04-25)

#180

We believe in maximizing the U.S.'s potential by building an open system.

Aedificium ab imo sursum - Building from the bottom up

(Aurora, 2021-04-25)

#184

The game should not be controlled by billionaire owners

(Visakhapatnam, 2021-04-25)

#185

I want to see honour and fair competition returned to sport.

(London, 2021-04-25)

#186

I believe associations should support the Men and Women's game and that the US should try to use this unique opportunity to spread the game to as many cities as possible

(Washington, D.C., 2021-04-25)

#188

Manchester United needs protecting.

(London, 2021-04-25)

#190

We ne d Pro/Rel in CONCACAF

(Daly City, 2021-04-25)

#192

Soccer is for everyone- not the elite

(Grand Blanc, 2021-04-25)

#195

I need to see accountability and fair play in my soccer, and more excitement as well. An open pyramid would do more good for the sport in the US than people will believe.

(South Walpole, 2021-04-25)