[ALUmnus]

MLS is rebranding like crazy. Along with that is a new league logo (finally). The old cleat and ball was just pathetic. The new one is okay, but the way they made it retrofit to each team is kinda cool.

Warning: marketing people with their stupid explanations and meanings...

http://www.mlssoccer.com/next



Now, hopefully US Soccer is next. They really need to drop the soccer ball and come up with a new shield. And New England, their logo is not marketable at all.

[Purple Haize]

As a marketing guy. I don't like it. With the line in the bottom left corner it looks like a LAX stick thing

[bluejacket]

Yeah, the shield and slash look good, but I have no idea what the extended line means.

[ATrain]

As a marketing guy. I don't like it. With the line in the bottom left corner it looks like a LAX stick thing

I had similar thoughts about the blue line extension. Except I was thinking hockey

[Sly Fox]

Great step in the right direction. the branding doesn't look at bush league as the dreadful logo they have been using for years.

[PAmedic]

Yeah, the shield and slash look good, but I have no idea what the extended line means.

according to the linked site:

SLASH: The slash refers to soccer’s speed and energy. The slash begins outside the perimeter and drives upward at a 45-degree angle to illustrate both the nonstop nature of our game and the rising trajectory of our league. It bisects the crest to create a “first half” and “second half.”

so there ya go.

ohhhh-kay

[flamehunter]

Looks more like something trying to help prop the league up and keep it from falling over.

[SuperJon]

The flat designs look so much better than the full gradient version.

[JakeP50]

If it didn't have the extended line it would look a lot better. It looks much more professional now than it did before, that cleat and ball design is just embarrassing.

[flamehunter]

Looks more like something trying to help prop the league up and keep it from falling over.

No offense, but that's pretty ignorant. MLS is doing incredibly well, and growing by leaps and bounds. Like it or not, soccer IS on the rise in this country.

No offense taken. And no offense to you but your reply completely missed my point. It was a criticism of the logo only. I enjoy watching soccer as much as anybody. I hope that MLS grows to be on a level with other top level leagues around the world. Apologies if my poorly worded comment conveyed anything else.

[flamehunter]

No problem. I raised three daughters and have a lovely wife. I am so used to being misunderstood.

[thepostman]

I keep reading soccer is in the rise but it's going to take years of sustained growth for me to believe it is a major sport in this country.

I say all that to say my nearly 3 year old daughter is starting soccer this weekend. Should be fun.

[Sly Fox]

Most of the growth of professional soccer of the past decade, at least in my experience, has been driven by the immigrant experience. And I have no problem with that concept whatsoever. Personally I find watching most non-WC soccer on television to be a poor investment of my time. But I absolutely love going to Dynamo games. A big part of it is the cultural experience in the stadium.

It is clear that the MLS brass are continuing to market the sport based on the EPL/Euro popularity. I am just wondering if they are missing the boat on what is generating the majority of the league's attendance boost from our fans coming from the south.

[Purple Haize]

I keep reading soccer is in the rise but it's going to take years of sustained growth for me to believe it is a major sport in this country.

I say all that to say my nearly 3 year old daughter is starting soccer this weekend. Should be fun.

You hit the nail on the head. It is on the rise.....as a kids sport. Lots of kids on the field 'participating' at the same time. Americans see it as a child's game that they out grow. For proof, look at the rise of LAX. Most kids start that much later than soccer and it's seen as a sport played by more 'mature' group of kids

[Purple Haize]

It's both/and. You can't ignore the consistently rising attendance and television ratings for MLS. You can't ignore the number of soccer specific stadiums that have been built in the past decade.

True. But look at the demographic

[Sly Fox]

... and your point is?

[thepostman]

I still believe that soccer will never reach the levels of the top 3 sports but it will probably surpass hockey at some point, it may have already done so.

[Kolzilla41]

I know I will definitely consider soccer. I am not sure I want my son playing football until almost high school. I guess that is why my parents put me in baseball and ice hockey.

[soccer7]

What demographic are you referring to? The domestic audience for MLS is on rise. Portland and Seattle are prime examples. They sell out games and the atmoshpere is amazing to be in. Television ratings of risen every year and more games are being aired every year. The product on the field is getting better and like BYD said the growth of soccer specific stadiums is helping with attendance because of the inhance game day experience. I live in Richmond and soccer is very big in this city at every level.

[SuperJon]

Four star wide receiver recruit Drake Davis is opting to play soccer this year instead of football, his coach told 247Sports.

Fork Union Military Academy (Va.) coach Brian Hurlocker said Davis made his decision in the spring and that he's had to inform inquiring college football coaches that Davis isn't playing football.

Four-star wide receiver recruit Drake Davis chooses soccer over football

[lynchburgwildcats]

I like it other than the slash sticking out, it leaves it unbalanced. I read MLS' explanation, it sounded like they were trying way too hard to put a meaning behind every little thing.

[Hold My Own]

It's probably a "me" thing but I can't help but think Commie when I see the new logo.

[Sly Fox]

It's just you.

[Hold My Own]

Figured. Something about the line....red...and star that really keeps my mind going there. Let's be honest...it's our president that's the real reason.

[Sly Fox]

Maybe it is because I am from an older generation but my first thought was that it reminded me of those old Christian flags that used to be in every church and part of Awana & VBS experiences when I was a kid.