Last week, the Major League Lacrosse Twitter account tweeted, “How many games were won by a single goal?” The answer was 18 games, accounting for 31 percent of games during the 2015 Major League Lacrosse season.
That tidbit effectively sums up the MLL season. Ever since the league’s inception in 2001, games have typically been very close, but competitiveness went to another level this summer. The best example is June 20, when all four games finished by just a single goal, including two which went to overtime.
As somewhat of an aside, I have always wished more players could get a chance in Major League Lacrosse, but with only eight teams (this past summer), roster spots are limited. You can be an All-American in college and not crack an MLL roster. From my personal experience working with the Lehigh men’s lacrosse team, it amazes me that someone like David DiMaria (who finished with over 200 career points) couldn’t crack the league. To this day, I believe he would be very successful, but also understand how difficult it is for teams to differentiate between a batch of excellent players. That’s exactly what MLL organizations have to do.
Another example would be Dan Taylor, who posted 76 points as a junior in 2014 and 77 points as a senior in 2015. He played two games for the Outlaws in May and scored a goal in his debut, dishing an assist one week later, but did not see action the rest of the way. Again, I don’t blame the Outlaws, but use this as an example of how talented the MLL is and how difficult it is to secure an active roster spot. Wesley Berg is another example of a star at the collegiate level, who only played in two games for Denver.
There are positives of a talented league with limited roster opportunities. The lacrosse is extremely high-quality and is truly the best of the best… of the best. In the end, the league would be better to expand a bit, and they are already on their way (with their recent announcement of adding an Atlanta franchise). Twenty-five players who otherwise wouldn’t have been on active rosters, now will be in 2016.
Picture the league in 50 years. I believe the MLL would be wise to not expand too much, but rather cap its league with no more than 15-20 teams (compared to the MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL which have all eclipsed 30 teams). Obviously, Major League Lacrosse is a ways away from reaching that point. This is a best-case scenario, a 50-years-down-the-road type of hypothetical.
The MLL should try to maintain the competitiveness of its league while also allowing more and more players to play in the league (like they deserve). In the meantime, the league will continue to be extremely competitive, the players will entertain fans with their tremendous skill and ability, and the MLL will continue to grow. Thanks to all the players and coaches for a tremendous season which was capped off by one of the best-ever MLL Championship Games, and continuing to be a tremendous ambassador for the game. See you next summer!
