Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber has declared that the league's future prosperity is no longer intrinsically tied to the performance of the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) on the global stage.
A Shift in Strategy for Major League Soccer
Speaking at his annual state of the league address in Washington DC on Thursday, Garber reflected on a significant evolution in the league's philosophy. He noted that while US head coach Mauricio Pochettino selects many MLS players, the league does not require a deep USMNT World Cup run to capitalise on the tournament's traditional popularity surge.
"I don't think that there is a dependency today, the same way there was years ago," Garber stated, contrasting the current era with the strategy after the 2002 World Cup. He recalled a time when the league actively sought to sign American players, believing it needed to "pivot on the success of our national team in order to succeed."
Garber attributed this change to the league's dramatic international growth. "We have 80 different countries represented," he said, highlighting the 37 MLS players currently competing for their national teams. He specifically pointed to the excitement surrounding global stars like Lionel Messi, who will feature for Argentina, as evidence of MLS's expanded appeal beyond American borders.
Vancouver Whitecaps Face Stadium Ultimatum
While discussing the league's health, Garber turned his attention to a pressing issue for one of its clubs. The Vancouver Whitecaps, who are preparing for the MLS Cup final against Inter Miami, face an uncertain long-term future due to their stadium situation.
Garber praised Vancouver as "one of the better soccer cities in North America" and commended the Whitecaps' historic run to the final, boosted by the midseason signing of Thomas Müller. However, he issued a stark warning regarding the team's tenancy at BC Place.
"The MLS team, its owners, its fans, its players have done everything to earn the support that they're not getting today from the city and the province," Garber asserted. He emphasised that the league has been building soccer-specific stadiums and will soon have 30, making the Whitecaps' status as tenants untenable.
Despite over a year of negotiations and the club hiring Goldman Sachs to explore a sale, there has been no progress on a new stadium. Garber stated plainly that "what we have there has to change." He indicated that the league is prepared to make "tough decisions" if local authorities do not step up with a viable plan for a permanent home.
Looking Ahead to 2026 and Beyond
Garber's address came on the eve of the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the US will co-host. While he distanced MLS's fortunes from the USMNT's results, he acknowledged the broader importance of the tournament for the sport's profile in North America.
The commissioner's dual message was clear: Major League Soccer has matured into a global competition that stands on its own merits, but its continued success relies on resolving fundamental infrastructure issues in key markets like Vancouver. The coming months will be critical for the Whitecaps as their ownership weighs future options against the backdrop of their greatest-ever season.
