
<p>Morning Footy, the anchor show for CBS Sports Golazo Network, once again brought up the hot discussion of pro/rel in the US. The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/golazo-network-first-impressions-including-morning-footy-show-20230411-WST-427854.html">first edition of the show</a> displayed the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/ryan-reynolds-promotion-and-relegation-is-like-nothing-else-20230411-WST-427799.html">drama that is promotion and relegation</a>, using <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/wrexham-beats-notts-county-in-stunner-to-take-edge-in-league-20230410-WST-427635.html">Wrexham’s dramatic win over Notts County</a> in the fifth tier as a primary example. On Wednesday, the four-person crew of Morning Footy dove back into the debate, getting quite heated in the process.</p>



<p>The focus was not on the greatness of it, but rather on whether or not promotion and relegation could ever work in the United States. As of now, MLS is a closed league. The teams at the bottom do not suffer the punishment of going down in the pyramid. Likewise, teams in lower divisions, like the USL Championship, have no chance to rise up to be in the top division.</p>



<p>The general consensus across Nico Cantor, Alexis Guerreros and Charlie Davies was that <em>if </em>promotion and relegation is ever to work in American soccer, there must be major changes to both the infrastructure and the mindset.</p>



<h5>The importance of a pyramid system</h5>



<p>“Right now, you have teams that can be mediocre, and mediocre is okay for them,” Charlie Davies said. “There are no consequences, there is no drop, no financial implication, which is why you want to see players go to Europe.” </p>



<p>Davies alludes to the fact that many top American players have made the switch to Europe. There, they have that pressure of relegation. For example, Leeds United is firmly in a relegation scrap. It has Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson as regular starters when fit.</p>



<p>Nico Cantor argued something similar to Davies. “Not having relegation begets mediocrity at the lower levels,” Cantor claimed. “You need to build some sort of competition for the teams that can’t just be stagnant if you’re losing out on a season.”</p>



<p>Cantor furthered his argument by saying relegation would eliminate passive investors.</p>



<p>“There is a whole infrastructure that you need to change, and there is a whole bunch of businessmen that you need to convince. Imagine the [LA] Galaxy if they were in relegation.”</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wrexham have been one of the feel good soccer stories of the season.<a href="https://twitter.com/susannahcollins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@susannahcollins</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CharlieDavies9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CharlieDavies9</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Nicocantor1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Nicocantor1</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/NotAlexis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NotAlexis</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/jennyachiu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jennyachiu</a> have high praise for <a href="https://twitter.com/VancityReynolds?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VancityReynolds</a><br>and <a href="https://twitter.com/RMcElhenney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMcElhenney</a>&apos;s non-league team. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 <a href="https://t.co/Q88X7ZqM5F">pic.twitter.com/Q88X7ZqM5F</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1645754800905293825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Alexis Guerreros, who adamantly claimed that he <em>does </em>support promotion and relegation in the United States and North America, said relegation would create more competition and interest within the league. He compared MLS to Real Madrid. The draw of Real Madrid is the UEFA Champions League, not the FIFA Club World Cup. The Club World Cup, the best possible award an MLS team can win, does not move the needle. Relegation could do that and breed more excitement within the league.</p>



<h2>Morning Footy lays out pros and cons of pro/rel in United States</h2>



<p>In terms of excitement, part of the draw of MLS is that <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/how-the-premier-league-would-look-different-if-it-was-mls-20230312-WST-421912.html">any team could win the MLS Cup</a>. In fact, based solely on league titles <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/how-parity-in-mls-grows-the-game-but-delivers-limitations-20211209-CMS-361111.html">MLS has more parity than other top European leagues</a>. Guerreros brings up Real Madrid, which has not finished outside the top four in Spain since the 1999/2000 season.</p>



<p>Host Susannah Collins mentioned FC Cincinnati finished around the bottom in MLS in each of its first three seasons. Cincinnati qualified for the playoffs last season and is now top of MLS after seven games in 2023. Relegation in MLS would have sent Cincinnati down to the pits of a hypothetical lower league in its foundational years. Instead, players like Brandon Vazquez were allowed to blossom.</p>



<p>Guerreros brings up a con to relegation. MLS is making money off selling players to other leagues. Gaga Slonina, Brenden Aaronson, Ricardo Pepi and Alphonso Davies all developed in MLS academies. Each made the move to Europe within the last four years and is among the most <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/top-10-most-expensive-outbound-transfers-in-mls-history" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expensive outgoing transfers in MLS history</a>.</p>



<p>“What happens to Weston McKennie if FC Dallas had gotten relegated,” Guerreros questions. “Maybe that academy doesn’t have the funding to continue.”</p>



<p>Cantor countered. “Maybe another academy in USL that gets promoted to MLS comes out with the next superstar.”</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</em></p>


Morning Footy, the studio show from CBS every morning, discussed the potential of pro/rel in MLS and what it would take to get there.

Morning Footy brings heated discussion to Pro/Rel in US debate

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<p>CBS Sports’ decision to launch the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/how-to-watch-golazo-network-from-cbs-sports-20230402-WST-426110.html">Golazo Network</a>, a 24/7 soccer streaming channel, is a smart move. Day one is in the can, but what were our Golazo Network first impressions after the first day, including their two new shows?</p>



<p>The CBS Sports Golazo Network concept is brilliant. No other sports broadcaster in the United States is continuously streaming as much soccer content on weekdays as Golazo Network. The reruns on beIN SPORTS and GolTV don’t count. So Golazo Network, with its mixture of free live games as well as documentaries and daily weekday shows, is doing something that neither ESPN, FOX nor NBC are doing.</p>



<p>While some of the programs are reruns, that’s fine. Golazo Network ends up being a hassle-free destination for soccer fans to have the stream constantly on in the background while are at work or home.</p>



<h2>Box 2 Box getting boxed in</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20230411_WST_427854_poppy-miller-cbs-sports-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-427872" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/04/poppy-miller-cbs-sports-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/04/poppy-miller-cbs-sports-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/04/poppy-miller-cbs-sports-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/04/poppy-miller-cbs-sports.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



<p>I will give CBS Sports props for making a late decision to launch <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/cbs-launch-box-2-box-show-with-ian-joy-on-golazo-network-20230410-WST-427622.html">Box 2 Box</a>, their afternoon daily news-driven soccer show. Day one of the broadcast featured host Poppy Miller and analyst Aaron West, as well as a guest appearance via video link by Jimmy Conrad.</p>



<p>Unfortunately, the show feels like an afterthought. Not in the analysis that Miller and West offer, which was on point, but in the way it’s not been given the same attention or promotion as <em>Morning Footy</em>. Firstly, Tuesday’s pre-match coverage of the UEFA Champions League on <a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paramount+</a> had a segment with Kate Abdo, Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards discussing <em>Morning Footy </em>with the morning show crew. <em>Box 2 Box </em>wasn’t even mentioned.</p>



<p>Secondly, the <em>Morning Footy </em>talent is a five-person crew. <em>Box 2 Box</em> has one host and just one analyst. Ian Joy and West take their turns throughout the week.</p>



<p><em>Box 2 Box</em>, which arguably has talent that is overall as good or better than <em>Morning Footy</em>, feels like it’s too similar to the pre-match programming CBS Sports HQ has shown in the past before Champions League coverage. <em>Box 2 Box </em>doesn’t feature any of the production touches that <em>Morning Footy </em>has either.</p>



<p>The shame of it is that <em>Box 2 Box </em>has a much better time slot for viewers. <em>Morning Footy </em>isn’t inclusive. It’s a live show for the East Coast that airs from 7-9AM ET. On the other hand, <em>Box 2 Box</em>‘s 1-2PM ET time slot is far more convenient for viewers across all timezones in the United States.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20230411_WST_427854_aaron-west-cbs-sports-1200x675.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="Golazo Network first impressions" class="wp-image-427873" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/04/aaron-west-cbs-sports-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/04/aaron-west-cbs-sports-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/04/aaron-west-cbs-sports-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/04/aaron-west-cbs-sports.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



<h2>Golazo Network first impressions</h2>



<p><em>Morning Footy </em>started out with a bang on Tuesday morning with a discussion about Wrexham AFC and how the club is taking America by storm. Host Susannah Collins set the segment up perfectly. Analysts Nico Cantor, Alexis Guerreros and Charlie Davies debated why Wrexham has been one of the feel-good stories of the year, as well as why MLS is unable to garner the same interest levels.</p>



<p>One of my <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/cbs-may-struggle-to-keep-soccer-fans-glued-to-morning-footy-20230309-WST-422396.html">initial concerns about Morning Footy</a><em> </em>was how the show was going to juggle the many different factions of soccer fans who watch completely different leagues. Day one is too soon to tell because it’ll be interesting to see what the producers focus on during slow news days. However, the first day was encouraging. There was a healthy mixture of soccer talk about Europe, MLS, NWSL, USWNT and Serie A.</p>



<p>Guerreros and Davies are not experts on world soccer, but combined with Collins, Cantor and Jenny Chiu, the five of them have excellent chemistry on set, which is pleasing to watch. There are also enough fun but forgettable segments of predictions and stunts to make the time go by quickly.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Wrexham have been one of the feel good soccer stories of the season.<a href="https://twitter.com/susannahcollins?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@susannahcollins</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CharlieDavies9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CharlieDavies9</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Nicocantor1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Nicocantor1</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/NotAlexis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NotAlexis</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/jennyachiu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jennyachiu</a> have high praise for <a href="https://twitter.com/VancityReynolds?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VancityReynolds</a><br>and <a href="https://twitter.com/RMcElhenney?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RMcElhenney</a>&apos;s non-league team. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 <a href="https://t.co/Q88X7ZqM5F">pic.twitter.com/Q88X7ZqM5F</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1645754800905293825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>No doubt, Nico Cantor is the star of the show. He’s able to discuss any of the topics raised, relying on his considerable knowledge of world soccer. At the same time, he’s engaging on camera, and exudes a lot of positive energy. </p>



<p>Outside of <em>Morning Footy </em>and <em>Box 2 Box</em>, the opening day of coverage on the Golazo Network included a tactical cam for the UEFA Champions League semi-final, as well as reruns of recent games and other programming.</p>



<p>Overall, it’s a positive start for the Golazo Network. Other than whether the talent mix is the right fit, my only other concern is longevity. Can <em>Morning Footy </em>and <em>Box 2 Box</em> keep the shows as fresh and exciting in three months from now? Will viewers continue watching on a daily basis or several times a week? It’s a marathon, but the initial signs are promising.</p>



<p><em>Golazo Network is available via Paramount+, CBS Sports App, CBS Sports website and Pluto TV.</em></p>


We share the Golazo Network first impressions after watching the new soccer streaming channel on its launch day.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Nico Cantor"

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Morning Footy brings heated discussion to Pro/Rel in US debate

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Golazo Network first impressions, including Morning Footy show