Imagine this were a perfect world, and the best possible pairings at the group stage occurred in CCL. What would these pairings be in your opinion? Feel free to even invent teams and scenarios for CCL...as long as its reasonable it fulfilling its mission. My scenario involves inviting 2 Colombians teams. Hey, there's probably more Colombian players in MLS than in the Colombian anyway, so its a natural fit. And the country is about as far as Panama. Here's my scenario involving 4 groups of 4 (yes, i know its now changed). 1. NYRB America de Cali PR Islanders Saprissa 2. Chivas (Guad) Club America LA Galaxy Alianza FC 3. Ft. Lauderdale Strikers (in my scenario they're a MLS team) Millionarios Cruz Azul Real Estelli 4. San Jose Quakes Monterrey Marathon Municipal
LA Galaxy with either Guadalajara or America because it's the only way their "fans in the states" can watch them.With that said the competition will just become more prestigious to them. LA Galaxy and Guadalajara is possible in this coming season though.
Ok, I take back my suggestion of 2 teams from Colombia. Lets get serious. What this thread was meant to discuss was: in what team-pairing scenarios does the competition gain excitement? Since CCL is still in its infancy (yes, I know it began in 62), I say it should explore building excitement by relying on intense rivalries that already exist, such as putting America and Chivas in the same group. Which others would also help? perhaps Aguila & FAS in same group? out of DC or LA? I guess the biggest crowds would occur if Galaxy were paired with America/Chivas/FAS/Aguila all in the same group. Maybe I overestimate the following of the el salvadoran teams. Islanders are great, but I'm not sure putting them w/Redbulls, if they had qualified, wouldve drawn a crowd
Teams from the same nation can not be put in the same group.But now wouldn't the rivalries be more intense if they happened in the knockout rounds?Also the later rounds are known to attract more crowds.If NY had qualified and they got drawn with The Islanders,it would have attracted a crowd considering New York's Puerto Rican population.
U.S. teams and Mexican teams in the same group!!!!!!!!!!! because that would be the fair and logical thing to do
Toronto getting another shot at Santos Laguna is a pretty good match, probably get tonked again but they should keep it a bit more respectable this time out.
Santos is pretty awesome man......H. Gomez is the starting stiker for the yank nt and he is a bench warmer at Santos Laguna!
