Been following this thread for a while before I was able to post. I see a few names here that I recognize from BigSoccer. A couple of observations:
- First, although MLS still isn't even in the same universe as the NHL in terms of revenue, things can change over the course of the generations. It's often been pointed out that horseracing and boxing used to be massive sports in America, but now have relatively niche followings. It's not going to happen any time soon, but MLS could definitely catch up to the NHL in the coming decades. Not that I'm taking sides, because I love hockey and am finally getting back into the NHL after a 15-year abstinence (triggered by the departure of three of the WHA teams).
- As far as a NYC team, I think they would be huge. The MetroBulls for whatever reason never really captured the city's attention, partly because they've never played in NYC and partly because they've been pretty hapless for much of their existence. I don't think you can look at LA and say the one city/two team model has failed, because Chivas was doomed to fail (to the extent that they have "failed") right from the beginning by being a glorified minor-league affiliate in somebody else's stadium. MLS wants a strong franchise in the world's biggest media market, and the Red Bulls haven't managed that yet.
- After NY2 I don't think there are any really obvious markets, so even if MLS wanted to continue to expand, I think they'd have to wait for a while. Maybe Atlanta and St. Louis if everything there was in place, but otherwise nothing really leaps out as being the obvious next choice.
- As to the playoffs/no playoffs debate: no playoffs don't make sense in a league with no relegation. If MLS went with a single table and no playoffs, the season would very quickly become meaningless (and thus less exciting) for the majority of the teams. Probably by June or so it would be obvious which 3/4 of the league has nothing left to play for in the current season, which would be terrible for the league. Possible participation in the Concacaf Champions League just isn't really a huge incentive at this point. I personally am not a big fan of playoffs in soccer, but I don't see any other alternative for MLS any time in the foreseeable future. But I would really like to see the final at the home of the highest remaining seed. Neutral-site finals in front of a disinterested crowd has been terrible to witness over the years. It worked okay until around '99 or so, but since then it's just been depressing.