Tom Adams El Dorado Hills, Calif. Can you explain the concept of “relegating” teams between (leagues) divisions? Is it same in all countries? Will the MLS use it when it’s at full strength? It can make the bottom-half competition more exciting than the top. Mike Woitalla: The relegation-promotion system that is used throughout the world helps make league play that much more exciting by creating crucial races at the bottom of the top division and at the top of the lower division. But it will never happen in MLS. First, some background on relegation-promotion: Most nations have a hierarchy of divisions in which a team can theoretically climb from the bottom of amateur soccer to the highest professional level at the top. The exact process of relegation and promotion differs throughout the world. In Germany, for example, itÆs rather simple. The bottom three finishers in the First Division are replaced by the top three finishers in the Second Division. In some nations there are postseason playoffs between higher and lower division teams. In Mexico, teams are rated for their performance over a number of seasons to determine which will drop. This system is designed to protect big clubs from being relegated after a fluke season. In fact, Mexican club bosses have been pushing for the abolition of the relegation system. Their reasoning brings us to factors that make it impossible for the relegation system to ever appear in the United States. Club owners and investors simply cannot fathom dropping into a minor league. Imagine how Lamar Hunt, after building a stadium in Columbus, would react to the prospect of seeing his team play in the A-League? You think the likes of Kraft and Anschutz would be spending millions on teams that could easily drop into a minor league? This year, the San Jose Earthquakes finished last, making them the victim were MLS to practice relegation. MLS is reportedly trying to find a buyer for the Earthquakes. That sale would be even harder to pull off of San Jose wasnÆt playing in the top league next year. In countries like Italy, Germany, England and Spain, teams that are relegated cause great grief for their fans and they do face financial setbacks. But thereÆs enough tradition there that fans do support them through the lower division stint. And sponsors are more likely to stay aboard than they would be in the United States. (If you have a question for a Soccer America Magazine editor, click “Q&A with SA Editors” in the left column of the home page under “Interactive.”)