Champions League in the Americas
By: Alex | September 20th, 2007MLS created a spark this year with the creation of the Superliga. This tournament was to be the first step in creating a “Champions League” here in the states.
MLS however, has yet to announce the format for Superliga this year. To most fans of the UEFA Champions league, the answer is simple. Either, the top four teams in the league standings or (for the MLS fans) the top two teams of each conference. Either way, chances are that the teams are the same. So why is MLS dragging their feet in announcing this?
One theory stems from a few radio shows on the Champions Soccer Radio Network. Apparently MLS is in the process of either expanding the existing Superliga tournament or creating another league to coexist alongside the Superliga. Rumors are that a few prestigious clubs from South America may be involved in the league.
So I pose the question - Is MLS ready to compete with the most prestigious clubs in the new world? Does it matter?
Lets hear your opinions -
Category: Team News
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Comments
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Where did you hear this? I believe that we have heard all along that Superliga would be top four teams on points next year for MLS at least (Mexico hasn’t decided yet).
Posted from
United States
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This would be a huge benefit to MLS to expand the scope of the league to also compete with some world-class teams from South America. I believe this advance would also respond in higher-class players coming to MLS as well.
Posted from
United States -
Exactly. If players from Brazil, Argentina and Mexico can get the same or better competition internationally between North and South America then more will come to the US.
If the MLS can make it one undivided league AND keep the playoffs, there can be a pretty exciting finale for 3 championships putting the Superliega last as the biggest prize. The only reason for keeping the MLS playoffs is to make it “seem” important.Posted from
United States -
I think it can only be good. Whether you’re talking about a player or a team, you want to play against competition that’s better than you are - that’s how you improve. I’d travel to see Gremio or Boca Juniors play against an MLS team, even though chances are quite high we’d get destroyed on the pitch. It would be great for the league.
Posted from
United States -
In order for Central & South America to buy into it qualifying rounds must be Home and Away. It should be just like the Champion’s League (CL) where the semi-finals & finals are hosted in a different location every year.
Now this is going to sound a little crazy, but in order to make every game in MLS count, this is how I would select teams:
Copa Libertadores (which would be expanded to all leagues in the Americas): Top four teams in MLS, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, etc.
SuperLiga (which would be expanded beyond MLS & Mexico to include Central American clubs): Teams 5-7 in the MLS table and winner of OPEN CUP (& if they already qualified for SuperLiga or Copa Libertadores then 8th place MLS), 5-8 Mexican League, and top 2-4 from Central American/Carribbean teams. I think we want to keep USL teams limited to OPEN CUP winners in order to encourage those markets to join MLS.
I would also say that we should move the MLS Cup to the start of the following year, like all European Leagues do, with the top 4-6 teams playing (1st & 2nd would get a bye for first round).
Posted from
United States -
And I agree with what has already been said…. Its good for the league’s growth. It could attract higher caliber players in Central & South America to play in MLS. And if we get our a** handed to us the first couple of years, so what. What doesn’t kill us can only make us stronger.
Posted from
United States -
I thought the superliga quilation for MS teams for 2008 was annouced already to be the top 4 teams on pts. If MLS don’t annouce it yet then that’s pretty sad. I would image it would give teams a reason to finish in the top four and make the their remaing games more meaningful.
Posted from
United States -
To play Devil’s Advocate:
What is the advantage for ANY South American club to play in some third rate cup competition? And when would it take place, during our summer, when those clubs are on break, or their players are on international duty? During the fall, when the bigger clubs are in the Copa Sudamericana, or spring during the Libertadores?
I realize that to MLS fans it sounds great, but you have to understand that there has to be some benefit for clubs from CONMEBOL, or even Mexico, to enter. The Superliga was fun, but it was clear that Mexico didn’t take it as seriously. And Boca or River or Sao Paolo don’t want to fly for 11 hours to play the Revs midweek.
Now as far as qualifying, it should be IMO, the previous years MLS Cup winner, the Supporters Shield winner, then the two teams with the best record prior to when the Superliga is set to begin. That way, you have to earn your place, and it makes every game count.
Posted from
United States -
The potential for this type of tournament in the US is awesome. To be honest, I agree with all of you and appreciate the feedback. Keep it up!
Posted from
United States -
Christian,
That’s why I think the argument of expanding Copa Libertadores should be expanded to MLS teams in this format. South American leagues know they have fans in the States, and this would give them more access to their $$$$, plus they would think that they have the chance to crush MLS teams (Little would they know that we could give some of them a run for their money).
SuperLiga should then become the North American version of Copa SudAmerica. It gives our 4-8th place teams a little competition from their equals in Mexico and the 1st-2nd place teams of Ecuador, Costa Rica, etc.
And the beauty of all of this extra competition is that it gives bottom of the table teams a chance at less games so they can concentrate on their push toward SUPPORTERS SHIELD. Which of course makes those teams become more tactical in their decision making for game days, and require top teams to have more depth in their squads (hopefully creating better USA players) and making us look more like top Euro Clubs.
But your point was what motivates South American teams to join up… We have to appeal to the money aspect of South American fans, living in the USA, that will spend more money to see their clubs! And the possible tourist links for their country if MLS fans feel safe about the travel. Maybe we can kick back some money that their fans would spend in USA (Disneyland, etc…) if we put together package deals. Maybe they get a cut of the gate by selling a block of tickets to their away supporters. We still make money on parking, food & beer before and during the game, selling t-shirts, etc… I’m sure we could take some lessons from 2006 World Cup Germany about setting up fan sites (to use before the game instead of in lieu of the game due to lack of tickets).
Posted from
United States
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