Tyler Adams: Promotion-Relegation Would Be Good for MLS

The promotion-relegation debate in the U.S. has been heating up in recent weeks, and now United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) and Premier League (AFC Bournemouth) midfielder Tyler Adams has had his say.

In light of the United Soccer League (USL) announcing they will adopt the pro-rel system, many have begun to wonder if the country’s premier soccer league, the MLS, should employ the same thing.

Adams has now emerged as the latest vocal advocate for the proposed shift to Major League Soccer. Speaking to USA TODAY’s Mackenzie Salmon on April 1st, Adams said that adopting this system — common in soccer leagues worldwide but absent from America’s top tier — would inject a new level of excitement and competitiveness into MLS. “I would like to see [promotion and relegation] in MLS, in the U.S.,” he said. “I think that would add to the competitive nature of the league.”

The 26-year-old brings a unique perspective to the debate. Having experienced relegation firsthand during his 2022-23 season with Leeds United in the English Premier League, he understands the stakes and emotional rollercoaster it entails. Though Leeds dropped to the Championship, Adams moved to Bournemouth, where he’s thrived and become one of the league’s most solid defensive midfielders.

By contrast, MLS’s playoff structure offers a safety net, diluting the urgency and excitement of the regular season.

“It adds a layer of pressure and motivation,” he said. “You’re fighting for something bigger than just a playoff spot.”

With the 2025 MLS season now fully underway, Adams’ voice adds to the ever-growing chorus of pro-rel support. Whether or not it comes to fruition remains uncertain, but there appears to be a shift of opinion, especially given USL’s initiative.