Inter Miami's Lionel Messi was seen holding his leg after a collision with Nashville SC's Lukas MacNaughton during Thursday night's Concacaf Champions Cup match. Despite the incident, Messi managed to complete the game.
While not the most attention-grabbing news in the early 2024 MLS Regular season, there have been significant improvements in how player availability is reported by MLS and its clubs.
For the first time in recent memory, the league's communications office is now compiling a centralized player status report for each league matchday. This information is made available online and shared via the league's official communication channels the day before matches are scheduled to take place, known as 'Matchday -1'.
If matches are spread across multiple days in a week, the initial report covers games for Matchday -1 and is subsequently updated to include information for the remaining matches. This new approach enhances the accessibility and timeliness of player availability information.
Previously, individual clubs would include player availability details in their game notes released before each match. This decentralized approach made it challenging for fans and media to access up-to-date information across the league, often leading to outdated or inaccurate reports.
With the rise of legalized sports betting in the United States and Canada, having timely and accurate injury information is crucial. MLS rosters, with their unique structure, can be significantly impacted by even one or two absences, making reliable availability reporting essential.
Given that MLS players are often involved in international competitions without breaks in the league schedule, maintaining accurate availability reports is vital. This not only ensures transparency for fans and bettors but also helps mitigate the risk of players being approached for insider information.
The move towards centralized player status reporting represents a positive step for MLS, aligning with the evolving landscape of sports betting and the need for increased transparency in player availability across the league.
