If you wonder if there's a case for a relegation system in the MLS, a convincing argument may have presented itself yesterday in Toronto. The Vancouver Whitecaps, a USL division 1 team, beat Toronto FC one to nil on a penalty kick.

Now, penalty kicks being what they are, and I understand the awarding of this one was controversial, some will say that the game doesn't indicate much. I'd have to disagree. While Toronto is not one of the stronger teams in the MLS, the simple fact that they operate in a superior league should give them the edge to knock off a USL team.

"Ah," you may say, "but in various domestic European competitions we often see lower-tier clubs knock off competition from higher leagues." That is true, but this is not Europe, and those European giant-killers are often facing 'watered-down' squads, as managers of top clubs are loath to risk their primary assets on tournaments that are, comparatively speaking, of lesser consequence.

Now, it seems that the Toronto manager didn't field his most powerful possible squad in the first half, but regardless of that fact, the Whitecaps were able to hold onto their lead in the second when Toronto reportedly made substitutions and poured on the pressure.

So it's possible for a top USL squad to beat a bottom MLS team. "So what?" you ask. Well, that screams for a relegation system. It's good for competition, which is good for quality, which is good for selling the league. It makes sense all around.

Imagine your team is in the bottom three on the league table. The end of the season draws near. In a system without relegation you're left with little to do except lament with fellow fans and hope for better things next season. In a system with relegation, you're most likely fighting tooth and nail with at least one other club in a bid to stay up. It's the excitement of the bottom of the table. It's something to cheer for, something tangible and attainable. And even if you do get the drop, you can always leave with a defiant sneer, vowing a swift return.

The only question I have is if North American audience would accept a relegation system. Previously I've speculated they wouldn't take to it. The traditional sports we grow up with here don't have them, so it may be a little foreign. However, if you live in the US or Canada and you're a soccer fan now, you're probably going to be aware of relegation, because you likely follow the sport around the world to some extent. And if you actually like a team enough to go to their games, or watch them on TV, you're probably still going to, regardless of what league they're in.

Presuming it wouldn't have a negative impact on the current fanbase, why not try it? It would also have the effect of expanding the league without expansion teams as we traditionally think about them. Montreal wants an MLS team? Ok, fine, let the Impact work their way up and earn promotion.

Also, I think it would be very beneficial to the national teams, probably more so Canada. With teams moving up and down, more individuals get their chance to shine at a higher level, and learn more and improve. That's my take, anyway. I think that if you play with better people, you're own abilities, one way or another, are more likely to improve than stagnate or deteriorate. And thus, the more experience Canadian and Americans get playing at higher levels, the more qualified they'll be if they earn a call-up to their national sides.

So, that's my thoughts for now. In summary:

The MLS and USL adopting a relegation system would be beneficial in the following ways:

• Keeps competition consistent in the various levels
• Improved quality leads to more entertaining product
• Even fans of bottom-of-the-table teams have something to cheer for
• Potentially expands the MLS without the need for actual expansion teams
• Possibly exposes new options for national teams