My very first MLS game was in the league’s inaugural season, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, as the L.A Galaxy hosted the New York/New Jersey Metrostars.  I remember there was excitement in the air as those in attendance where witnessing the birth of a league. Once the ball kicked-off, however, my excitement quickly turned into disappointment as the match being played on the field was no better than the pick-up games across the street from my house.

That was 13 years ago when the league desperately tried many gimmicks to try and lure non soccer fans into the stadium. And while the countdown clock, shoot-outs, and atrocious uniforms are gone there remains one aspect of the game that the league has not changed; their championship final. The MLS Cup has been played at a pre determined venue since its inception. It’s a one-off match similar to the Champions League, even their new trophy is patterned after La Orejona. The only problem with this method is that soccer in not yet embraced in the United States and having such a final makes for some rather dull atmosphere and punishes the loyal fans.

The MLS inaugural season, in 1996, was a parade of horrible kits. / Photo: PasiónSports

In 2003 I was at the Home Depot Center for the MLS Cup final between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Chicago Fire. The main attraction was obviously Landon Donovan who played with the Quakes at the time. While the stadium was at full capacity it did not feel like a championship game. With San Jose only being a few hours away their supporters section was well presented but not much can be said of the few Chicago fans that made the trip and much less of the casual observers. The following year the Home Depot repeated as hosts and this time the atmosphere was much worse. The final now pitted D.C United and the Kansas City Wizards. Perhaps, the most known player for the non-soccer observer was Freddy Adu but not even his presence was enough to pack the stadium.

I remember arriving to the stadium and making the walk from the parking lot to the press-box and the atmosphere was that of a casual day at the park. There were people tailgating, some kicking a ball around, some supporter groups but few and far apart. I just did not get that feeling that I was at a Championship Final not even during the match. The electricity was missing from the air. For a league that is only 13 years old and which clubs are in cities thousands of miles apart from each other such a final can be punishment for the fans that show up to the games on a regular basis. It sucks not being able to celebrate a final in your own stadium or having to wait years until it gets designated as the final venue and then hope your team makes it there.

There have been four MLS Cups played in Los Angeles and Galaxy has not been part of any of them. Team Beckham will be playing in tonight’s MLS Cup final against Real Salt Lake at Seattle’s Qwest Field. Hands down the Seattle fans have proven to be the best in the league but I just don’t see them turning up to this game to cheer other teams at least not with the same passion as they would cheer for their Sounders. This could very well be David Beckham’s last season in the league and I can’t help but think how much more MLS would have profited if they had a home and away final.