Big-Name, Mid-Season Friendlies Not Universally Applauded

The big-name MLS summer friendly has become a staple of the league. Just about every team has at least one every year. Recently, though, there’s been a bit of a backlash against these games. Eighty-Six Forever, the SB Nation Vancouver Whitecaps blog, may be new to MLS, but already could do without the tradition. They are not exactly excited about the prospect of putting the pursuit of the MLS playoffs on hold for a game against Manchester City:

So this friendly had better be worth it. It could never mean anything on the field, so let’s make sure it means something off. Let’s have a nod to our sometimes-forgotten second division past. Let’s have a salute to a great warrior in Whitecaps history. Let’s have an event that’ll matter even if the game’s a dud, the rain is pouring, the Whitecaps lose 4-0, and the European team dresses its U-17 squad.