Last week was interesting because away games always come with the added flavor of the ESPN/USL commentators. Those commentators generally have a feel for the teams and the league, but sometimes they get things dead wrong. Last week though they brought up a point that I hadn’t really considered, in hindsight it makes sense, but it puts our play in perspective in contrast to MLS owned/operated USL clubs.

In the very short pre-match build up, one of the announcers talked about the issues that the Rio Grande Valley coach was facing for selection. He was torn between having to play a team that would build toward the future of the Houston Dynamo and trying to field a team that would win.

The issue

The MLS’s relationship with the USL is an interesting one. Many hardcore USL fans are often down on the deal – seeing MLS owned teams as an unneeded drain on resources and conference spots. There are some upshots to be sure, like the ability to get players farmed out from the MLS which might raise the caliber of affiliate teams, but the consistent presence of “2” teams is looked at with disdain by most.

The issue revolves around two main sticking points: attendance and prestige. Second teams for MLS clubs generally have low attendance and it makes sense, why attend a team 2 game when you can attend the MLS game of the host club for a few dollars more. The second issue is more about branding, having second team clubs in the USL generally lowers the status of the league. We look down on those teams, some may have a good year, but many basically operate as farms whose main goal is not to win but rather to pump out developed players. That cheapens the league.

In recent years there has been a slew of reasons why that model doesn’t work – mainly financial. Vancouver and Seattle both ran up against this issue with their second teams – Vancouver abandoned their USL team and instead took Fresno as an affiliate (for just a year) and Seattle opted to move their team to a different city (ultimately a move that paid off in increased attendance and revenue). Team 2s not only bring down the league for that reason, but they bring down their parent clubs by being drains on resources. For a rich club like the Galaxy that might not be an issue, but for many clubs, the writing was on the wall.

What Do We Play For

This post isn’t about team 2s though, they have their own issues to work out and those issues will be addressed before the league moves into better branding and marketing phases. This post is about who our clubs play for at the end of the day.

When the announcer mentioned that RGV has to play for the Dynamo, I realized the truth that FFC and all non-MLS owned clubs play for ourselves. Fresno plays for its fans, for its community, and for the chance to bring the championship home. We don’t have to worry about developing players for a better league, or what our owners will say if we don’t bring x or y player through the ranks to play for the top team. That’s important.

I realized last season that no matter the outcome of our matches, I will support my local team – because despite not being a part of the ownership group, I am an owner of the team. I pay for my tickets (3 season tickets), I pay for merch, I pay for a river of ICEEs(red and blue together) at every game – without my taking ownership, there would be nothing left of the team. That is the reality of every team – without loyal fans, the team won’t exist.

That is why I am thankful for the fact that the Foxes play for me, and every supporter. I don’t have to worry about the team making decisions with another team in mind, we will fight for what is good for us. That is something I can put trust in as a fan, and it is what separates a team that is for the good of its city and a team that is for the good of another team. It’s part of why not matter what I will continue to support the team through being a season ticket holder and attending matches because I know at the end of the day the Foxes play for my city, and my support.

I think that is something that binds all USL supporters who have a stake in their teams. We rely on our teams to play for us, and without that what is the point? It’s no wonder a win for Galaxy 2 or Real Salt Lake doesn’t bring in new attendance – no one cares about a team that doesn’t represent them – that is the bottom line.