MLS weakness is depth. Their starting XI can compete but if there are injuries and subs, the quality drops, more so than Mexican clubs. Depth needs to be addressed That's my take
The Red Bulls allowed 3 goals in 6 CCL games, with 4 of them against Liga MX. That could be the best defensive performance by an MLS club in a CCL. Atlanta will win the spot for combined regular season points in 2017 and 2018. They have 115, and are 9 ahead of both New York clubs with 5 games left. Atlanta would clinch on September 30 if: 1. They win this weekend, NYRB doesn't win, Atlanta wins at NYRB on September 30, and NYCFC gets no more than 7 points in 3 games through then including a midweek game Or 2. They draw this weekend, NYRB loses, Atlanta wins at NYRB on September 30, and NYCFC gets no more than 6 points in 3 games through then including a midweek game One or two other clubs have a hypothetical chance at the regular season points spot. Sporting Kansas City and Portland are 15 points behind and would need to win 5 games while Atlanta loses 5. If the CCL tiebreaker is wins like MLS uses for the playoffs, Sporting Kansas City can't get that spot because they trail Atlanta by 6 wins, while Portland trails Atlanta by 5 wins. Sporting Kansas City doesn't need that spot because they won the 2017 U.S. Open Cup. On Wednesday, Houston hosts Philadelphia in the 2018 Final, so by September 30 two more CCL clubs might be known. Houston reached the Semifinals of the last two CCCs in 2007 and 2008, and their best CCL performance is reaching the Quarterfinals twice. Houston would have reached the Final in 2007 if away goals was used, as without away goals being used they lost in extra time. Philadelphia didn't exist until after the CCC became the CCL, and they have never qualified for a CCL.
If away goals were used, Pachuca would have taken a different approach and still beat Houston anyway. Different rules call for different approaches.
Why? Sporting Kansas City and Atlanta could make the first all-MLS Semifinal in the CCL or CCC that is two legs. There was an all-MLS Semifinal in the 2000 tournament played in Los Angeles and nearby Fullerton in 2001, and an all-MLS Semifinal in 1997 when all games were in the USA or Mexican clubs hosting Central American clubs. Both of those tournaments had each round be one game.
I just hope MLS wins in my lifetime. Otherwise just have a close league like every other American sport, don't participate in any International competition, if possible disassociate from CONCACAF and just call the MLS Cup Champions the "World Champions". This way no one will know our true level.
Pretty sure the US is awful at handball. [EDIT] Yep, hasn't qualified for the World Cup or Olympics since 2001.
Ouch... 4 goals within 10 minutes by Santos Laguna over NY RB. Gap isn't closed. https://streamable.com/yylcz Tigres are 15 minutes away from eliminating easily Houston.
I'm rooting for SPKC/Independente winner to win the whole thing. I'd like an MLS team that's not Seattle/Atlanta/Dallas/LAFC/NYFC/RSL to win it, but they loose, I'm rooting for the Panama team. Panama! Otherwise Santos Laguna, I've respected them ever since they killed us in Denver in 2011
It's only going to get worse. How can you expect depth when the league is navigating its way through endless expansion? At this rate, a future 80 league MLS league will have every MLS team fill with 1 designated 'star' and 5 average 'pros'. The rest of the roster will be plugged in with college scrubs or sunday league players lol.
@scoachd1 please don't disappear on me. I'd love to hear your excuses and condescending explanations for this year's CCL.
MLS regressed massively this year. The real question is when is MLS going to lose a spot after another failure? Having more spots than Liga MX is an absolute embarrassment.
I don't reflexively defend or even root for MLS teams, although I am a Rapids fan, I was rooting for SKC last night. I don't need validation of a great league to enjoy live soccer. That.... however, was sobering. It really has been a poor campaign.
You keep reading on these boards that MLS is closing the gap and are improving... Funny how people are leaving out this crucial fact! MOST LEAGUES ARE IMPROVING TOO!!!!! That includes Liga MX, fyi
Sorry but MLS has no business having 4 berth. Should be reduced as followed: 3 spots CCL 1 Spot CL Costa Rica deserves 1 spot in CCL
Just saw the score. Damn what a beat down. 5 to 0 Lol Please take a spot away from MLS. It's criminal they have more than 2 or 3 spots honestly.
Well then. Unless there is divine intervention next week that leaves one edition for MLS to avoid this milestone.