Armed with a litany of talking points and factoids demonstrating growth and improvement both on and off the field, Don Garber delivered his live State of the League Address on Friday afternoon on the eve of the MLS Cup in Toronto.
“Our league is young, but we’re continuing to evolve and develop,” Garber said, noting that a record 500 journalists will be covering Saturday’s game, which will be televised live on network television (FOX) for the first time.
After sharing some highlights - new records established for average fans per game (21,700), national television viewership and growth in social media, merchandising (25 percent increase) and club valuations - Garber mentioned Philadelphia Union midfielder Alejandro Bedoya by name as one of the key signings demonstrating the league becoming a “league of choice.