International breaks. A select number of players go away with their countries, train for a few days, play a game or two and then return to their clubs. While those who are not called up get a well deserved break. Some teams use it as a way to regroup and end a bad spell of form, while others are upset as it disrupts a run of good results. As fans, many of us are mildly fascinated to see our countries in action but eventually miss the high steaks and excitement of league play. However you feel about international breaks they are football tradition for everyone involved in the sport.

If you know how the MLS is organized and run, then it will no surprise to you that they break this tradition. However I understand their decisions to include a playoff system and exclude promotion/relegation in order to promote the league to American fans who are new to the sport. Unlike those decisions, there is no reason to keep the league running during international breaks. Except possibly for the fact that the MLS doesn't have enough quality players that are called up by their countries and if this the case I again, kind of understand, there's no point in stopping the league for no reason.

But putting aside the logistics of halting league play, I would argue that not doing so shows a lack of conformity and ambition from the league. From what I could gather, only the Brazilian, Chilean and Colombian top flight leagues played matches this past weekend. Even the J League (Japan) who like the MLS, have gone after European stars well past their prime. Even they didn't play during the international break, however the J2 League (second division) did. And as the Major League Soccer you should have more ambition than to be grouped with Japan's second division. Simply put, by continuing MLS play, Major League Soccer is sending the message that they are aware that the quality of players and the league as a whole is not good enough and they accept that fate. This makes you wonder how football fans from around the world are going to find respect for the league that they do not have already.

Quote Of The Week

"I thought you'd get to 40 [years of age] at least"

- An excerpt from Lionel Messi's message to Samuel Eto'o, wishing him a happy retirement via Twitter