New CCC Qualifying Guidelines

[Grasscutter]

Goff kind of glossed over this, and I thought it could be a big deal with ramifications for what United's priorities should be this year.

CONCACAF has announced its formal qualification requirements for CCC that downplay regular season points, and instead favor:
* U.S. Open Cup winner
* MLS Cup runner-up
* Toronto FC

http://concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?id=4171

Only one of the four U.S. slots will be rewarded based on regular season finish (Supporter's Shield winner). As has always been the case, the MLS Cup winer gets a slot. But the remaining two slots go to the U.S. Open Cup winner and to the MLS Cup runner-up.

I strongly disagree with giving one to the U.S. Open Cup winner, as teams still bid for (OK, "buy") thier home slots. In '05 and '06, L.A. and Chicago pretty much bought thier way to the titles by playing all matches against MLS teams at home--we lost out to the Fire in '06 in the semi-finals at Chicago. This contrasts with the draws held in most of Europe.

I would have preferred to see the last slot go to the Supporters' Shield runner-up rather than MLS Cup runner-up, but at this point in '08, in looking ahead to qualifying for 2009-10, United probably look a better shot at getting to this year's Cup final than finishing 2nd overall.

Oh, and Toronto is in a pool of three (3), along with lower-levellers Montreal and Vancounver, for an automatic slot out of Canada.

So... no more sending the B-team to Harrisburg and Richmond? :rolleyes:

[nobletea]

I like that they wanted to give a slot to the Open Cup winner, but to do it right now for the reasons you cite above is just ridiculous. The USOC should mean something, and this is a fantastic way to accomplish that, but you've got to tidy up the other end of the business as well.

And sadly, I thought the same thing you did. Maybe we should actually try to win it this year. :(

[Mighty!]

how is toronto automatically in?

wasn't it the white caps who beat the Galaxy 2-1 the other day... one goal by former United play Nicholas Addelery (sic)

Goff kind of glossed over this, and I thought it could be a big deal with ramifications for what United's priorities should be this year.

CONCACAF has announced its formal qualification requirements for CCC that downplay regular season points, and instead favor:
* U.S. Open Cup winner
* MLS Cup runner-up
* Toronto FC

http://concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?id=4171

Only one of the four U.S. slots will be rewarded based on regular season finish (Supporter's Shield winner). As has always been the case, the MLS Cup winer gets a slot. But the remaining two slots go to the U.S. Open Cup winner and to the MLS Cup runner-up.

I strongly disagree with giving one to the U.S. Open Cup winner, as teams still bid for (OK, "buy") thier home slots. In '05 and '06, L.A. and Chicago pretty much bought thier way to the titles by playing all matches against MLS teams at home--we lost out to the Fire in '06 in the semi-finals at Chicago. This contrasts with the draws held in most of Europe.

I would have preferred to see the last slot go to the Supporters' Shield runner-up rather than MLS Cup runner-up, but at this point in '08, in looking ahead to qualifying for 2009-10, United probably look a better shot at getting to this year's Cup final than finishing 2nd overall.

Oh, and Toronto is in a pool of three (3), along with lower-levellers Montreal and Vancounver, for an automatic slot out of Canada.

So... no more sending the B-team to Harrisburg and Richmond? :rolleyes:

[The Cold Sea]

how is toronto automatically in?

wasn't it the white caps who beat the Galaxy 2-1 the other day... one goal by former United play Nicholas Addelery (sic)

They're in a tournament of three agains as opposed to 14 or 15 or 16, however big MLS gets.

[SideshowBob]

They're in a tournament of three agains as opposed to 14 or 15 or 16, however big MLS gets.

That said 1/3 isn't all that different from 4/13 (and that's not considering that the USOC is theoretically against more than just the other 12 MLS teams). Seems to me that it's somewhat similar odds for TFC as for MLS teams. At least MLS teams have multiple pathways so you can suck at one and make it through another.

[Mighty!]

They're in a tournament of three agains as opposed to 14 or 15 or 16, however big MLS gets.

What are ya gonna do?

My question is, why aren't the CSL or PCSL teams able to qualify for the Canada round? THe CSL is recognized by FIFA, is it not?

[jkdcu]

I've got a couple of questions:

1. What if TFC wins any of the US qualifing slots. I.e. say they lose to Vancouver in whatever playoff they are planning, but win the MLS Cup?

2. This year we see that because NE qualified twice (MLS Cup Runner-up, US Cup winner), the "5th spot" if you will, is the SS runner-up (Chivas USA). Well, it seems pretty likely that we will need to go to a sixth spot or more, in the future. When we win both cups and the supporters shield this year (or something), who comes to the CCC with us?

[mcontento]

That said 1/3 isn't all that different from 4/13 (and that's not considering that the USOC is theoretically against more than just the other 12 MLS teams). Seems to me that it's somewhat similar odds for TFC as for MLS teams. At least MLS teams have multiple pathways so you can suck at one and make it through another.

Toronto's competition is at the same level as United's non-MLS competition from USOC. So if you don't count the Sounders or Kickers as competition for us how do you count Vancouver or Montreal as legitimate competition for T.O.?

[mcontento]

how is toronto automatically in?

wasn't it the white caps who beat the Galaxy 2-1 the other day... one goal by former United play Nicholas Addelery (sic)



The Galaxy are worse than Toronto
No LD at that game
It was a friendly and had as much significance as the DC United friendlies vs. the Kickers. The whole purpose for this game was for Becks to walk on the field, make a few passes and get subbed out to a standing ovation.

[nobletea]

It was a friendly and had as much significance as the DC United friendlies vs. the Kickers. The whole purpose for this game was for Becks to walk on the field, make a few passes and get subbed out to a standing ovation.


Why am I thinking the only thing missing was a banner that reads:
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

[The Cold Sea]

That said 1/3 isn't all that different from 4/13 (and that's not considering that the USOC is theoretically against more than just the other 12 MLS teams). Seems to me that it's somewhat similar odds for TFC as for MLS teams. At least MLS teams have multiple pathways so you can suck at one and make it through another.

Do you think it's as hard for Toronto to beat Vancouver and Montreal in a tournament as it is to win US Open Cup or MLS Cup or Supporters' Shield?

[City Dave]

What are ya gonna do?

My question is, why aren't the CSL or PCSL teams able to qualify for the Canada round? THe CSL is recognized by FIFA, is it not?

While it would be a great story if one of the little guys was to make it to the CCL. Only one Canadian team can qualify. And we all know that a CSL or PCSL team won't get far at all in the tournament, but TFC, VW, or MI may be able to progress to the group stage, if not beyond. In the long run, it's better for Canadian soccer to send their best team, not a team that made it on a fluke win or two.

The US had three other spots. So, if by some chance a USL1 or 2 squad, or even lower was to win the Cup. It wouldn't signal death in the international tournament. Plus, you've got to look at when those teams play, and when they have players on contract. We don't even know if a USL team would be able to compete during the time that the CCL takes place.