MLS Teams in Libertadores? (r)

[El Guero Naco]

This was taken from a chat with Don Garber, MLS Commissioner, on Friday.

David from Washington, D.C.
In your State of the League Address, you mentioned the participation of MLS teams in the Copa Libertadores. How will these games be worked into the MLS schedule, especially considering the length of travel between the United States and South America?

Commissioner Garber
Good question. First things first, we have to get invited to participate and we're working on that as we speak. As you've stated, clearly logistics are an issue but in my view the benefits will overcome the challenges.

At first I thought they were mistaken with the Sudamericana, but with him saying that they're working on getting invited pretty much confirms that he's not mistaken.

Why the hell is this even being brought up?

I mean, adding Mexican teams was one thing, but MLS teams?

In 5 years is Libertadores going to have 50 teams in it?

[danmarce]

Lol

[scaryice]

They would just have to do another preliminary matchup or two. They already have 12 teams fight it out for the final 6 group spots.

http://www.rsssf.com/sacups/copa05.html

[condor11]

why stop there, lets invite teams from japan and australia while were at it

[lond2345]

This is a good thing and not just for MLS. It will lead to american companies becoming sponsors of Copa Libertadores as the Copa opens up the gringo market in the USA. It can only mean more money for the copa and the teams. The only drawback is the long travels but theyll get used to it just like they got used to traveling to Mexico.

Conmebol just can't let more time pass by and not have the Copa being played in the USA, the biggest market there is.

[Wile Coyote]

For all the people that have some sort of riff with mexican teams and mls teams being asked to part take in the copa libertadores all i have to say that conmebol is just doing right by expanding the cup to north america why people even bring up japan is beyond me... and for all those that cry about making concacrap cups more important all i have to say is why bother when they can take part in the ONLY CUP THAT HAS PRESTIGUE AND IS RECOGNIZED AS THE CUP THAT MAKES YOU #1 IN THE AMERICAS...

I m all for it

is MLS teams ready for it maybe not right now can it help us soccer grow even more yes it can.. you only get better playing against the best and not with inferior opponents......and i have always said whats good for mexican soccer is good for us soccer and fo all those that think different you must see the bigger picture i for one applaude don garber a man who came in not knowing a damn thing to a head executive that wants in on all the major events....

as for any one that may have a mentality of anti concacaf teams in conmebol cups all i have to say is that copa libertadores has grown is such a way that its importance is far beyond anything the history the past champions its only normal that conmebol continues to expand... let conmebol show concacrap the way let them show concacrap how to put on club events and international cups that are sought after and desired...but not at the expense of other conmebol teams which i m sure wont happen

[Various Styles]

I mean, adding Mexican teams was one thing, but MLS teams?

Elementary my dear Naco, elementary.. . MLS teams can/will prove to be more beneficial to the Copa than the bottom dweling South Am leagues. With the inclusion of MFL and MLS the Libertadores is not only becoming more marketable but in the long run will be more competetive. In the recent years the level of play has been lacking but hopefully all that will change with the North American teams pulling in strong challenges.

[condor11]

conmebol must be the only confed that does not have a club or country tournament only for their own teams

truly pathetic

they should choose, let outsiders into the libertadores or the sudamericana not both(the copa america has pretty much gone to hell anyway)

[riverplate]

Three words: television, television, television.

Adding Mexico, the U.S., and probably throwing a couple of Central American clubs in the mix will make Copa Libertadores a must-see TV event throughout the entire two continents. They're trying to make it a Champions League of the Americas instead of a "local" South American tournament.

That will make CONMEBOL whores in the eyes of many around here, but it's the future and nothing will stop it. Too much potential money involved. Might as well embrace it.

[dmike]

First of all no MLS teams will participate UNTIL atleast 6 teams have SSS. Most importantly DC United, Chicago & NY ( LA & DallasFC already have one) since they will eventually become the faces of the MLS. We can't have this games on NFL stadiums with 10k people in the stands. MLS lacks major home field advantage and a competitive fan atmosphere which is a MUST to have in Copa Libertadores games.
In the long run having MLS teams in the future will only expand more revenue and sponsorships. When companies realise the big cities in the US have this games coming up they will whore their Beer and Food like they always do. This will eventually benefit every club that participates.

[Pibe#10]

well if all this money is coming, I want some too!

but seriously, I'm still against the idea, but there's nothing we can do about it, so I guess if it benefits (with money) the s.american teams then I guess theres nothing we can do about it.

[ecuajhony]

well if all this money is coming, I want some too!


jejejeje me too!!!!!!!

WTF is going on with Conmebol, all they want is money

they are forgetting something called "TRADITION"

[dmike]

jejejeje me too!!!!!!!

WTF is going on with Conmebol, all they want is money

they are forgetting something called "TRADITION"

Why not?? money means more competition. The more money a team generates the better chance they got to keep players or sign.

[Caturro]

I totally don't mind having CONCACAF teams in our tournament... CONMEBOL is just expanding its interests throughout the whole continent. The only thing that I don't understand is the fact that these "guest" teams get to start in the round of 16, while teams from our own confederation have to go through 2 elimination rounds to get to the same place. Isn't that a bit unfair? Who is CONMEBOL representing again?

I just want everybody to have a fair shot at the cup, that's all.

[jared9999]

Originally Posted by Caturro
I totally don't mind having CONCACAF teams in our tournament... CONMEBOL is just expanding its interests throughout the whole continent. The only thing that I don't understand is the fact that these "guest" teams get to start in the round of 16, while teams from our own confederation have to go through 2 elimination rounds to get to the same place. Isn't that a bit unfair? Who is CONMEBOL representing again?

mexican teams have to play the interliga to enter libertadores. even after that guadalajara had to whip cienciano to enter libertadores

[ecuajhony]

Interlina does not belong to Conmebol

[Caturro]

First, Interliga is a tournament created by the Mexican federation, not by CONMEBOL. Every country create their own mechanisns to see which teams qualify for Libertadores... blame your own federatives for the extra amount of games Mexican teams have to play.

Second of all, the third qualified of each country had to play repechaje... including teams belonging to CONMEBOL, so once again, your point is moot.

I think the abuse is even more blantant considering the cup is called Copa Sudamericana. :rolleyes:

[Pibe#10]

yea, but chivas is CONCACAF not CONMEBOL.
a lot of CONMEBOL teams had to do the same.
but its different here in Sudamericana, and that's a little unfair.

[jcmartins]

guys check this site i'm putting it up and it's already awesome... latest news, videos, info, history, jokes, interactive biography, everything about soccer and mostly about our greatest, five time world cup winner brazil: All the info on brazil x croatia, on croatia, and after the game a review of the match will be posted... tune in check out and leave your mark:


www.giantsofbrazil.com

[dapip]

I totally don't mind having CONCACAF teams in our tournament... CONMEBOL is just expanding its interests throughout the whole continent. The only thing that I don't understand is the fact that these "guest" teams get to start in the round of 16, while teams from our own confederation have to go through 2 elimination rounds to get to the same place. Isn't that a bit unfair? Who is CONMEBOL representing again?


http://www.sanmiguelguide.com/currency/500_front.jpg

http://www.sanmiguelguide.com/currency/100us_front.jpg



WTF is going on with Conmebol, all they want is money

they are forgetting something called "TRADITION"

No, they are creating a new tradition: Who has the money says what is tradition.