MLS should not make families its primary concern. Instead, focus on every young person who played soccer as a child but is now old enough to have their own disposable income. They will drink high-profit beer, join supporter groups that encourage them to come more often (or buy season tickets), blog and tweet, and develop a deeper bond with the team.

That’s not to say that (as stated above) there shouldn’t be family sections. Sounders FC put inexpensive “all inclusive” seating at the opposite end of the stadium from the supporters’ group sections, so that parents can treat their kids to “free” soda and snacks while keeping them from the rowdy, standing, banner-waving supporters.

But family items should be one niche and not the meat and potatoes. Make a nice place for them, but don’t sterilize the experience for the love of their money.

This got me thinking, perhaps during half time a games they can show the stadium main “jumbotron”(or at half time shows of televised matches) a quick tutorial on things that are difficult to explain in a couple of seconds.

These 1-2 minute lessons could help better educate supporters/viewers on formations, illustrate more complex rules, teach skills (traps, back heels, crosses, dummies, etc) and teach the responsibilities of ref and assistant refs. This probably would be popular and would have no problem having sponsored.

I believe that several MLS clubs already allow you to request tickets based on qualifiers like “no alcohol” (yikes!).

Also, the league needs to just accept the disparity between forwards and defenders and stop allowing the defenders to mug forwards in a misguided attempt to bring balance to the game. It only makes the game more unbalanced in the long-run.

I think families are pretty well addressed by MLS marketing campaigns, while as you pointed out the mediums used to reach the audience is frequently seemingly novice if not completely misguided. It’s as you already pointed out, when a franchise only puts it’s greatest offers out to the people who are on the website, well they are missing the opportunity for growth.

But the problem with explaining the game is a problem that comes from the pace and free-flowing nature of the game. I compare soccer with American football for example. In American football the game affords itself, due to the stop and go pace, to explanation. Between each play the commentators have to fill the gaps and explaining and reviewing the previous play is a great use of that time. I will admit, that even as young as 10-years old I was learning about cover-two defenses and zone-blocking schemes due to television coverage. But things like that in soccer coverage you will never pick up on. It wasn’t until I combined over 17 years of playing experience, with 4 years of refereeing and finally dashed in my 8 years of coaching before I really felt I developed any time of deep understanding of the game. I never really gained a nugget, even about the offsides rule from television coverage despite seeing the replays over years and years.

I have to admit I have always been very disappointed with the television coverage in that never really talk these points up. I watch people who are pros and supposedly have years more soccer experience and knowledge than me but they never explain nor point out the elements that people should be impressed with or that novices wouldn’t understand.

Now regarding the comments. I think separating the fans into special areas is almost especially un-American. However, I think something should be done to allow fans to also be educated about the difference in the atmosphere of soccer. I again liken this to failure of soccer coverage to educate people on the differences of the game. But I think some of the blame also must be put on us, the hardcore soccer fans. We are not doing a good job of inviting these casual new fans who are actually at the games or watching the game with us into our understanding.

Just my two cents, fellas. Keep up the great work.