The MLS is not taken seriously by most countires where football is the most played sport. To them its just a gimmick or a fad. Some say its the lack of skill in the teams or lack of fan support.  In my opinion, some of it can be attributed to the names of the teams.

        I once read this"I'm fire(chicago) til I die! Haha I couldn't say that without laughing" .This is an example of what an EPL fan thought of the name their MLS team.Part of the reason the MLS is not taken seriously is because the names of the teams. To Europeans these names a re silly and childish. They merely an Ameircan marketing gimmick to make money. I believe that the world will never consider the MLS to be on par with their leagues because it has been "Americanized". It will always be considered soccer, and not football. Soccer will be asscioated with poor football,American economy(Brimsotne cup) and the names. In order for it to be considered a proper football league the teams must have proper names. This will help them gather support from immigrants and true football fans.

The follow team names I like:

Chivas USA,FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake, D.C. United, and Toronto FC

Heres some ideas for new names

Houston Dynamo- Dynamo Houston

Chicago Fire-Chicago Athletics

These are a couple examples and I think they would be good.