Major League Soccer (MLS) Commissioner Larry Berg has publicly stated his opposition to implementing a promotion and relegation system within the United States soccer landscape. During his introductory press conference, Berg addressed the topic directly, arguing that such a model is not appropriate for the current structure of American professional soccer. Instead, he suggested that the league should focus on alternative methods to generate "jeopardy" and competitive intensity throughout the regular season and the playoff structure.

Berg pointed to the recent World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, as a primary example of the level of engagement the sport can achieve. He noted that the tournament successfully captured the attention of millions of North American viewers, fostering a deep connection between the fans and the game. By leveraging this momentum, Berg indicated that MLS aims to create similar moments of high-stakes drama to keep fans invested in the domestic product. While he did not provide specific details on how these new competitive mechanisms would be implemented, his comments suggest a strategic shift toward prioritizing tournament-style excitement to maintain the interest of the casual audience that was drawn in by the World Cup.