Review: MLS Live

We are well into the Major League Soccer season — the regular season wraps up October 26 — so if you’re in the market for domestic soccer at a great rate, the MLS Live subscription has recently dropped its price. With only seven weeks remaining in the season the key question seems obvious: is the $25.99 worth not even two months of content?

Let’s first be honest here, the level of play in MLS, while on the rise, still cannot realistically be counted among the best in the world. To its credit the league has made huge strides in terms of talent — both foreign and homegrown — and the league is aggressively expanding the number of teams. With 19 teams currently in the league and two teams (New York City FC and Orlando City FC)  on the way for the 2015 season and an additional team in Atlanta in 2017, there are plenty of things to look forward.

That being said, MLS has also done a magnificent job of making their content available via the MLS Live option. Similar to Fox Soccer 2Go and MLB.tv, MLS Live brings live games through your internet connection. Just like MLB.tv, you’ll have to deal with blackout restrictions from time to time on live events, but with MLS Live you can view the blacked out games 48 hours later. MLS Live works seamlessly with Chromecast — fellow U-verse customers should check out this Chromecast guide — though I did find a bit of stuttering on the mobile iOS Matchday app. At the time of writing the Matchday app also supports Chromecast, however replays of full fixtures have yet to implemented. Instead we’re given a disappointing and generic “coming soon” placeholder:

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Quibbles about the mobile version aside, I will say I absolutely adore what MLS Live does with their video on-demand system (VODs). All along the bottom of the screen you are given a plethora of options you can toggle as well as critical match information. Features like the ability to adjust quality from 240p through “Best Available” (usually something listed above 720p) is great, as is the slow motion option and 10 second rewind.

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There are both full games plus condensed versions available. If you begin a full game only to realize you’re short on time, you are given the ability to switch to the condensed version, a very thoughtful option.

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Another great feature of MLS Live is their foresight to show game and team stats and not only the starting lineups, but the starting formations too. Want to know if a club is running a classic 4-4-2 or are they playing a diamond? A more aggressive 4-3-3? Look no further than simply scrolling down below the VOD.

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Easily my favorite part of MLS Live’s VODs section is something only available in the full game VOD, but it is the ability to turn on or off scores and red/yellow cards. The game’s first minute, half time and full time (including stoppage) are all time stamped, as are the goals and cards. It reminds me of a cleaner and useful version of SoundCloud comments. Not only are the goals and cards shown, but a brief description of the the goal or the player carded is given as well.

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I wouldn’t call $25.99 a drop in the bucket, but it isn’t exactly breaking one’s bank either. The value — not to mention the 10/10 VOD system — make the purchase well worth it. If you haven’t picked out a MLS team to follow just yet, this is the perfect time. You get a great deal on over 70 fixtures (pre-blackout count) and even if the live game is blacked out, you’ll get the VOD two days later. It would be great if MLS can improve their mobile version to support VOD — something that not even the massive Twitch.tv has done yet, so maybe I’m asking too much.  From hardcore soccer fans who were on the fence about spending money to people who are even just a bit curious about soccer, I would recommend this to nearly anyone.

(Header photo via Ryan Knapp)





You can catch David spouting off about baseball, soccer, esports and other things by following him on twitter, @davidwiers.

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Twunter
9 years ago

Mls live is outstanding.

david petersen
8 years ago

I haven’t been able to log onto site for two months won’t except username no tech support numbers I have one finger for their absence of responsibilty thieves