2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals [R]

Discussion in 'MLS: News & Analysis' started by Paul Calixte, Jan 8, 2014.

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Which team has the best chance of reaching the Champions League semifinals?

Poll closed Mar 5, 2014.
  1. San Jose Earthquakes

    7 vote(s)
    7.0%
  2. LA Galaxy

    46 vote(s)
    46.0%
  3. Sporting Kansas City

    47 vote(s)
    47.0%
  1. ArsenalMetro

    ArsenalMetro Member+

    United States
    Aug 5, 2008
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    I did, and it's not. They may have often lined up with two "forwards," but Henry has a habit of drifting into central midfield, and he was often paired with Cahill, who drops into an attacking midfield role frequently.
     
  2. ArsenalMetro

    ArsenalMetro Member+

    United States
    Aug 5, 2008
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    They lined up in those formations, but they rarely actually played in them.
     
  3. Zxcv

    Zxcv Member+

    Feb 22, 2012
    Santos Laguna beat Penarol (Uruguay) 4-1 in the Copa Libertadores group stage today. Off topic, but in light of recent events somewhat relevant.
     
  4. Suyuntuy

    Suyuntuy Member+

    Jul 16, 2007
    Vancouver, Canada
    Uruguayan clubs are going through tough times now. Their league (appropriately named "Liga Coca-Cola") is one of the weakest in South America. The Bolivian league may surpass them soon. Which is surprising, considering the success of their NT.
     
  5. usadcu

    usadcu Member

    Aug 25, 2005
    Alexandria, VA
    Liga MX teams don't take MLS teams seriously. Gotta remember that. Would never feel the need to push the envelope or anything.
     
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  6. deejay

    deejay Member+

    Feb 14, 2000
    Tarpon Springs, FL
    Club:
    Jorge Wilstermann
    Nat'l Team:
    Bolivia
    For the longest time, salaries sucked. As such, being a pro player wasn't one of the things too many kids were all that interested in. Now the TV money is good and there are academies popping up everywhere. The next generation of players is going to be much better.
     
  7. ceezmad

    ceezmad Member+

    Mar 4, 2010
    Chicago
    Club:
    Chicago Red Stars
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yeah, I am going to say no to that.
     
  8. Pirru

    Pirru Member+

    Sep 21, 2004
    Club:
    CD Chivas de Guadalajara
    Official now! 9 Continental trophies in a row for MX teams.
     
    jared9999 and It's called FOOTBALL repped this.
  9. tigersoccer2005

    tigersoccer2005 Member+

    Dec 1, 2003
    North Bergen, NJ
    Club:
    New York Red Bulls
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Hopefully Tijuana can go through....
     
  10. Inca Roads

    Inca Roads Member+

    Nov 22, 2012
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Which, in the long run, is probably disappointing for MX as well.
     
  11. Pirru

    Pirru Member+

    Sep 21, 2004
    Club:
    CD Chivas de Guadalajara
    should be a good game tonight.
     
  12. Pirru

    Pirru Member+

    Sep 21, 2004
    Club:
    CD Chivas de Guadalajara
    How so?
     
  13. Inca Roads

    Inca Roads Member+

    Nov 22, 2012
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    There are a lot of potential viewers and players that MLS is starting to attract that would be worthwhile for MX fans. Having the competition start being, well, a little more internationally competitive should raise the profile and potential money involved. Furthermore, if MLS can continue to attract European stars (at any age, really), that can bring an entire range of player that never seems to appear in MX squads. A raised profile and competitiveness of the competition will also help sharpen MX squads, which would benefit, if nothing else, their strength in Copa Lib and the CWC. Just figure a real competition here would be of more value to everyone involved, even if it means that the trophy doesn't every time go to their league.

    In the short run, though, I'm sure it's a point of pride and a regular source of silverware, so in no way should fans of Toluca/TJ/Cruz Azul be sad about this, ha.
     
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  14. Pirru

    Pirru Member+

    Sep 21, 2004
    Club:
    CD Chivas de Guadalajara
    How long before this happens?

    lol

    20 years?
     
  15. Inca Roads

    Inca Roads Member+

    Nov 22, 2012
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Maybe never. Maybe shortly. Who knows? MLS and MX are both growing pretty impressively. MX just has a massive head start and a much stronger national loyalty. Their top teams are clearly streets ahead of MLS's top teams.

    I just feel with the rate of increase from both leagues, before way too long both can be making this corner of the globe much more relevant in the international club scene. It's gonna take at least two leagues of note to make that happen.
     
  16. Pirru

    Pirru Member+

    Sep 21, 2004
    Club:
    CD Chivas de Guadalajara
    If you want to quicken the pace for this to happen or close the gap. Ha!

    Stop investing on old euro players and look to S.America for young talent.
     
  17. Inca Roads

    Inca Roads Member+

    Nov 22, 2012
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Which they're doing, all except a couple of teams.
     
  18. Inca Roads

    Inca Roads Member+

    Nov 22, 2012
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Less that it will directly benefit MX than that it will directly benefit the CCL. One-horse races always lack a bit of edge... just thinking, for example, of Celtic in the SPL. Much as they all hate Rangers, they're a better team when the title isn't guaranteed.

    MLS may be seen that way, but in almost every case, that doesn't really match reality.
     
  19. Paul Calixte

    Paul Calixte Moderator
    Staff Member

    Orlando City SC
    Apr 30, 2009
    Miami, FL
    Club:
    Orlando City SC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Just as a counter-example: that is clearly not the case with Tijuana. The Xolos are younger than most MLS teams, and they grew up in what was traditionally baseball country, what with the nearest Mexican Football League teams thousands of miles away.
     
    jared9999 and It's called FOOTBALL repped this.
  20. UcIceD2011

    UcIceD2011 Member+

    Jul 10, 2011
    Nor Cal
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Even though I agree with your overall point I don't quite think Tijuana and MLS teams are paying by the same rulebook.
     
  21. ArsenalMetro

    ArsenalMetro Member+

    United States
    Aug 5, 2008
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Not sure if "paying" was a typo, but it works regardless.
     
  22. UcIceD2011

    UcIceD2011 Member+

    Jul 10, 2011
    Nor Cal
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It is a typo but it worked as a play on words so I left it.
     
  23. Inca Roads

    Inca Roads Member+

    Nov 22, 2012
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Gotta say, I usually don't mind the FSP commentators... but they were obnoxious tonight. Every other sentence mentioned Joe Corona, Castillo, Herc, Arriola, etc. Especially with how many times JP (I think it was) mentioned the apparent grievous tactical error of not even bringing Gomez on the trip.

    All in all, a decent match. Cruz Azul looked a lot less aggressive than I expected, and both looked pretty exhausted by the end. Both teams seemed better on the weekend.
     
  24. ArsenalMetro

    ArsenalMetro Member+

    United States
    Aug 5, 2008
    Chicago, IL
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    JP is a below-average commentator. For someone who has been around the game for so long, he doesn't know it that well.
     
  25. Paul Calixte

    Paul Calixte Moderator
    Staff Member

    Orlando City SC
    Apr 30, 2009
    Miami, FL
    Club:
    Orlando City SC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    You think that's bad? You should hear the Argentine commentators for ESPN and FOX Sports Latin America do UEFA Champions League games. :D And Copa Libertadores ones with no Argie team involved...if they're not making sacrifices at the altar of Messi, they're hyping up any and all Argentineans on the field...including the referees.
     
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