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Is FIFA 18 game play really the best way to award a MLS All-Star team spot?

By Derek Helling

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 31: Video game 'FIFA 18' developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports is seen on the sceen of a Sony PlayStation game console PS4 Pro during the 'Paris Games Week' on October 31, 2017 in Paris, France. 'Paris Games Week' is an international trade fair for video games to be held from October 31 to November 5, 2017. (Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 31: Video game 'FIFA 18' developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports is seen on the sceen of a Sony PlayStation game console PS4 Pro during the 'Paris Games Week' on October 31, 2017 in Paris, France. 'Paris Games Week' is an international trade fair for video games to be held from October 31 to November 5, 2017. (Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images) /
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The 2018 MLS All-Star team will have one forward in its starting 11 that is voted on by fans, but not by a traditional ballot method.

When the 2018 MLS All-Star squad takes on Juventus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Aug. 1, one of the forwards on the pitch will be the benefactor of a heavily-concerted effort by fans of both MLS and EA Sports FIFA 18.

According to a press release, the EA Sports “More Than a Vote” Challenge is now live for those who play FIFA 18 on PS3, PS4 and/or X-Box consoles. Fans who play online matches and use MLS forwards to score goals during those matches will register votes for those forwards. One goal equals one vote, and the forward who compiles the most votes at the end of the voting term on June 20 will be one of the forwards in the starting XI for the MLS squad.

The other 10 spots in the starting XI will be decided by traditional ballot method. Voting is now open for that as well on the MLS app and will go live on MLSsoccer.com on June 8.

Fan voting for All-Star teams is always a deal with the devil. While it’s great for relationships with sponsors and therefore revenue for leagues, a sacrifice is often made for that benefit. Putting the matter up for fans to decide often turns the rosters into popularity contests as opposed to which players are actually most-deserving of the spots based on their performance during competitive events.

MLS has taken that sacrifice to the extreme in some ways with this promotion. Playing a game of FIFA 18 does require more commitment than an online ballot from fans, especially coordinating it so that the forward a fan wants to see on the All-Star team scores goals during the virtual matches. At the same time, this process presents a bias toward fan bases who are more active on FIFA 18 than others. It’s possible that the forward who plays for a club that has the most active FIFA 18 players as supporters, not the most-deserving forward based on his on-pitch production, will land that 11th starting spot.

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MLS wants to ensure that its relationship with EA continues long into the future. That’s a wise decision. Sometimes elements of the on-field product have to be sacrificed in order to keep the revenue healthy, and this is an example of one such situation.

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