SUPER POLL: MLS, Dempsey, allocations, central control; do you trust the league to do what’s best, or is it playing favourites?

Major League’s Soccer decision to repatriate American national-team star Clint Dempsey has certainly played to mixed reviews.

There are those who will say MLS did what it had to do in reportedly paying a US$9 million transfer fee (CLICK HERE) to bring Dempsey to the Sounders, where he becomes the league’s newest Designated Player.

But, to do so, MLS had to invoke a non-publicized rule that allows players earmarked for DP status to skip the allocation line. And, there’s no denying the resentment felt in other markets. For argument’s sake, would MLS spend $9 million to repatriate a Canadian player to either Vancouver, Toronto or Montreal (not that there’s one on the radar right now who would garner that high a fee)?

And, while central control of contracts allows MLS to makes moves that are in the best interest of the league, do the fans of the other franchises, especially those outside of New York or Los Angeles, feel that the league owes them big moves, too? And how do fans feel about money they spend to support MLS as a whole going to help one team get stronger — and beat the team they support?

What the Dempsey deal does is give us that watershed moment to discuss where MLS is at as a league. We have prepared the following questions; the poll will close at noon MT next Wednesday (August 8). What we want to know is how you feel about the way MLS does business as a league. Is it time for a change? Do you trust MLS is ensuring a level playing field with a salary cap, or that constant rule changes are giving certain teams unfair advantages that defy the cap model? How do you feel about allocation money, secretive contracts and allocation orders?

Please take time to tell us how you feel, and spread the word to fellow MLS fans. We want to capture the pulse of our community. (Questions after the break; don’t worry if it the vote doesn’t show up as soon as you make it; they’re visible once you refresh the page. You will know your vote has been registered when the “vote” icon disappears.)