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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><ul><li>MLS' popularity is on the rise </li><li>But promotion/relegation is 'inevitable'</li><li>Marsch surprised it hasn't happened already</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

American coach Jesse Marsch insists MLS introducing relegation is 'inevitable' to bring U.S. soccer up to 'the standard everywhere in the rest of the world'

<p>MLS is currently made up of 29 teams - 15 in the Eastern Conference and 14 in the Western Conference. Unlike the majority of leagues around the world, however, it doesn't have a promotion/relegation system. Now, ex-Leeds United boss Marsch feels it is only a matter of time before that changes to help MLS grow.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>He told <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1785321414473535752" target="_blank">CBS Sports Golazo</a>: "The game has come so far but at some point there will be pressure to move to promotion/relegation. Trying to protect assets and what's happening with the lower leagues... at some point it's going to become inevitable. I'm sorry, but that's just the way it works. I'm a little surprised when FIFA gave us the (2026) World Cup [that they] didn't mandate along with that promotion/relegation. That's just the standard everywhere in the world."</p><p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"At some point there will be pressure to move to promotion/relegation." 👀<a href="https://twitter.com/jessemarsch?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jessemarsch</a> believes it to be "inevitable" 🇺🇸⚽️ <a href="https://t.co/P2IzlFlnIz">pic.twitter.com/P2IzlFlnIz</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1785321414473535752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT JESSE MARSCH SAID

<p>It is undeniable that the sport is growing in popularity and in stature but it is still a long way behind the biggest divisions in Europe. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-effect-inter-miami-staggering-social-media-numbers-revealed-mls-side-soar-above-nfl-mls-nba-giants/bltc1643196ac903612" target="_blank">Lionel Messi's arrival at Inter Miami has done wonders</a> as well but Marsch's point is that to take the league - and perhaps U.S. soccer - to the next step, promotion/relegation will be needed.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>U.S soccer will very much be under the spotlight when the country co-hosts the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico. In the meantime, the 2024 MLS season is well underway. </p>

WHAT NEXT?

American coach Jesse Marsch insists MLS introducing relegation is 'inevitable' to bring U.S. soccer up to 'the standard everywhere in the rest of the world' | Goal.com Singapore

Jesse Marsch says it is &quot;inevitable&quot; relegation and promotion will be introduced to MLS to bring it in line with the rest of the world.

American coach Jesse Marsch insists MLS introducing relegation is &apos;inevitable&apos; to bring U.S. soccer up to &apos;the standard everywhere in the rest of the world&apos;

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