Major League Soccer challenged soccer conventions on Wednesday. Some thought it even broke FIFA rules. As far as FIFA rule-breaking goes, it was petty theft at worst. But it was quite blatant petty theft. And since, it’s continued unabashed. On every MLS Is Back Tournament broadcast, a black Adidas logo has bulged from midfield. It isn’t painted on Florida grass. It’s superimposed on TV feeds. And fans don’t like it.
It is, to the soccer purist, corruptive and distracting. It trended on Twitter. It’s too big, too bold. Advertisements have decorated sideline boards and endline patches of grass for years now.