Report Says MLS Gaining Fan Traction  Thursday, September 30,
2010 | View Comments Even small victories matter when it comes
to Major League Soccer's visibility in a crowded sports
marketplace. Not only does the domestic soccer product compete
with the Big Four of American sports (NFL, MLB, NBA, and we'll
throw the NHL a bone), other less-popular competitions fight for
the very same entertainment dollar and television viewer.  The
import given to big time college sports, golf, tennis, NASCAR,
etc. makes it all the harder for MLS to convince Joe Sportsfan
to give a damn; add in the problem that the league has of
convincing fans of European club and leagues to pay a little
attention to American soccer, and even tiny movement of the
needle is cause for celebration.  Sports Business Daily has the
latest numbers on how MLS fares with avid sports fans
(subscription site*), and they're certainly encouraging.  A full
point rise in the percentage of people "very interested" in MLS
is even better than encouraging; a fo