Will be better an expansion at 32 teams for CCL as in UEFA?

I think I never will be for this currently format with 24 teams, 8 groups of 3! But, to be honest, I was happy when this format was addopted, against the old format with 4 groups of 4.... and only for a reason : 8 x 3 is close to be as UEFA Champions (8 groups of 4), more than 4 x 4 !!

Shortly, I hope from 8x3 we will fly to 8x4 and not back, to 4x4.

We all know that curently format of 8x3 is the most idiot format from the world .... but let's see some differents between 4x4 (in past) and 8x4 (UEFA Champions League), and maybe in a day, in CONCACAF Champions League :

In 4x4 format :
- is right, we can have many meeting between MLS and MX clubs, but why we think only about these 2 leagues? Where are Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Jamaica, Trinidad Tobago, Guyana and the rest? All these countries (more as 30) must fight for 4-8 spots in CCL groups stage where will be definitelly destroyed by MSL & MX clubs .... so, 3rd and 4th rank in groups will be for them !! So, how they can progress?
In 8x4 we can have 5 mexican teams !! First, we need that CONCACAF to use "leagues coefficients" to determinate the berths for each league every year. Just follow UEFA rules, system and format.
We know that Mexico dominate CCL many years in a row... so, we will consider that TH will be from Mexico.
Look a list with top leagues by coefficients (is my own system, but this is just an example) :

- TH* (1 direct berth in groups stage)
1st league : Mexico / 4 teams / 4 in groups
2nd league : USA / 4 teams / 4 in groups
3rd league : Costa Rica / 3 teams / 3 in groups
4th league : Canada** / 3 teams / 3 in groups
5th league : Honduras / 2 teams / 2 in groups
6th league : Guatemala / 2 teams / 2 in groups
7th league : Panama / 2 teams / 2 in groups
8th league : El Salvador / 2 teams / 2 in groups
9th league : Nicaragua / 2 teams / 1 in groups / 1 in preliminary against Belize runner-up
10th league : Belize / 2 teams / 1 in groups / 1 in preliminary against Nicaragua runner-up
11th : CFU / 6 teams qualified from preliminaries
* if TH is already qualified from the league, then this berth will be given for the first unqualified team from same league
** 2 spots can be guaranteed for Canada, but if third is impossible, this will be given for the next league in ranking (Honduras wil grow up from 2 to 3 berths)
< > In future, CFU can be dissolved and every country can send teams in preliminaries or directly in groups, depend of their performance in previous seasons !!

I consider the top leagues in CONCACAF : Mexico, MLS, Costa Rica and Canada :
for 8x3 format we have 11 teams from these leagues, which represent 45% of 24 total.
for 8x4 format we have 15 teams from these leagues, which represent 46% of 32 total.
If we use Conmebol system with TH + Mexico (5) + MLS (5) + the rest 2.5 spots, we can have 53% teams from these top4 leagues !! But just keep UEFA system, which is perfect and trust, because is made by leagues performances, and not keep an standard qualification system for every year.

Where are the benefits? Look some here : http://forums.bigsoccer.com/threads...son-format-for-the-ccl.1988576/#post-32974869

- Every qualified team in groups will play 6 matches. Depend of the year and the luck, they can have a strong group and a easy group.
- 5 MX clubs, 4 MLS, 3 Costa Rican and 2 Canadian result a total of 14 teams !! The seeding groups will look so probably :
Group 1 : top8 ranked clubs in coefficients ranking (with TH automatically here)
Group 2 : 9th-16th
Group 3 : 17th - 24th
Group 4 : 25th - 32nd
- So, these Mexicans, MLS, Costa Ricans or Canadian teams must be placed probably in 1st and 2nd group, but the new teams in competition can be places in 3rd or 4th group. Definitelly teams as Olimpia (Honduras), Comunicaciones (Guatemala) which play season by season in CCL can be in 2nd seed group and can meet easy teams from gr3 and gr4, but a strong rival from g1.
- the berths will be given by performances, So, the sportiv ranking will be much usefull and every match (even where is no stake) will be important for coefficient ranking.

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Now, a short example !! I put in format 8x4 all 24 clubs qualified for 2015/16 season + the best 8 clubs from associations which will gain a berth in CCL !!
For Mexico, America is TH, so the best unqualified team in overall Liga MX 2014-15 will be 5th mexican team in CCL (this is Atlas , 3rd in overall ranking).

Let's see the all 4 seeding groups before the extractions for all 8 groups :
#x is Concacaf ranking

Seeding Pot 1 : (3x Mexico, 3x Costa Rica, 1x USA, 1x Guatemala)
1. TH - America (Mexico) #3
2. Tigres (Mexico) #1
3. Santos Laguna (Mexico) #2
4. Herediano (Costa Rica) #6
5. Alajuelense (Costa Rica) #7
6. Los Angeles Galaxy (USA) #9
7. Comunicaciones (Guatemala) #11
8. Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica) #12

Seeding Pot 2 : (2x USA, 1x Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, T&T, Mexico, Nicaragua)
9. Olimpia (Honduras) #13
10. Seattle Sounders (USA) #15
11. Municipal (Guatemala) #16
12. Isidro Metaphan (El Salvador) #19
13. William Connection (Trinidad&Tobago) #23
14. Real Salt Lake (USA) #24
15. Queretano (Mexico) #25
16. Real Esteli (Nicaragua) #27 (win play off between Nicaragua and Belize clubs)

Seeding Pot 3 : (2x Honduras, Panama, 1x USA, Mexico, Canada, Jamaica)
17. DC United (USA) #28
18. Atlas (Mexico) #29
19. Montreal Impact (Canada) #30
20. Motagua (Honduras) #33
21. Arabe Unido (Panama) #35
22. Real Espana (Honduras) #37 (gain a berth from Canada)
23. Waterhouse (Jamaica) #38
24. San Francisco (Panama) #43

Seeding Pot 4 : (1x T&T, Nicaragua, Canada, Aruba, Jamaica, Surinam, El Salvador, Belize)
25. Central FC (Trinidad&Tobago) #45
26. Walter Ferreti (Nicaragua) #53
27. Vancouver Whitecaps (Canada) #59
28. SV Britannia (Aruba) #62
29. Montego Bay United (Jamaica) #65
30. Inter Moengotapoe (Surinam) #67
31. Santa Tecla (El Salvador) #91
32. Verdes FC (Belize) #157

Using random.org I made all 8 groups of 4 teams !! What you think about?

Group A : Alajuelense (Costa Rica); Real Salt Lake (USA); San Francisco (Panama); Britannia (Aruba)
Group B : Santos Laguna (Mexico); Real Esteli (Nicaragua); DC United (USA); Vancouver W. (Canada)
Group C : America (Mexico); Isidro Metaphan (El Salvador); Arabe Unido (Panama); Verdes (Belize)
Group D : Tigres (Mexico); Olimpia (Honduras); Waterhouse (Jamaica); Walter Ferreti (Nicaragua)
Group E : Comunicaciones (Guatemala); Seattle (USA); Atlas (Mexico); Central FC (T&T)
Group F : Herediano (Costa Rica); William Connection (T&T); Motagua (Honduras); Santa Tecla (ElS)
Group G : LAG (USA); Municipal (Guatemala); Montreal Impact (Canada); Inter M. (Surinam)
Group H : Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica); Queretano (Mexico); Real Espana (Honduras); Montego (Jamaica)

So, we have interesting battle in group A between Alajuelense and Real Salt Lake for first place. All 3 teams (San Francisco and top2) will made scores with Britannia, which will be happy to play in groups stage.
In Group B : Laguna, DC United and Vancouver Whitecaps, you see that we can have big groups in 8x4 format
In group C, probably America have no rival and can develop some young players to play in continental groups
In D, Tigres and Olimpia are favourite
In E, another MX-MLS meet ... Seattle and Atlas, with Comunicaciones in battle for 2 berths
In F, Herediano is in America situation
In G, LAG and Montreal can be stoped by Municipal
In H, Saprissa, Queretano and Espana in dispute for 2 berths in Knock-out phase !!

All winners of groups will play against runner-ups of other group in fall of new year in Round of 16, home and away matches, with second leg hosted by winner of the group. Teams from same association can not play each other in this phase).

From Quarterfinals, teams from same association can play each other, so ... it's possible that from 8 teams, 5 to be mexicans !!

But be back in groups stage : How many meetings between Mexico, USA, Canadian and Costa Ricans?
In group A : Costa Rica and USA, we will have 2 matches
In Group B : Mexico, USA, Canada, we will have 6 matches
In Group C & D & F none .... so will be a big chance for little teams to reach knock-out phase !!
In Group E : Mexico and USA, have 2 matches
In Group G : matches of MLS between USA and Canada
In Group H : Costa Rica and Mexico, other 2 matches

So, in groups stage we will have 14 matches between top4 leagues, 4 between MX and MLS. But don't forgot teams from Honduras, Guatemala or Panama, which reachest quarterfinals of past editions.

STRONG match = 14 top matches from 96 = 14% (between Mexico, USA, Costa Rica and Canada)
MIDDLE Strong = 26 matches from 96 = 27% (between top4 and Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, El Salvador)
middle = 14 matches from 96 = 27% (between top8 and T&T or Jamaica)
weak matches = 12 matches from 96 = 12% (between weakest clubs, CFU vs Nicaragua vs Belize vs Guatemala vs Panama)
rest = 30 matches from 96 = 30% (between too strong teams vs too weak teams)

 

hm, yes, this can be a good start, but with 2 rounds of group stages, how was in UEFA Champions League in 1998-99

1. First Groups Stage : 8 gr of 4 teams, 3 matches, played in one stadium of one team ! Top2 qualified for next round
2. Second Groups Stage : 4 gr of 4 teams, 6 matches, home-away ! Top2 will qualify for quarterfinals

Ya, probably your idea would be better for CCL than mine, for first time

 

other idea : CONCACAF can keep the curently format, but add one more group stage

1. First Groups Stage : 8 groups of 3 teams (home - away - 4 matches). Top2 qualify for next round, and not only the winner, as in present
2. Second Groups Stage : 4 groups of 4 teams (home - away - 6 matches). Top2 qualify for quarterfinals, semifinals, final

I think this is the best idea, and nobody can contest it. For second groups stage 4 matches can be played in later 2016 and rest of 2 matches in early 2017.

4 matches in first groups stage
6 matches in second groups stage
2 matches in quarterfinals
2 matches in semifinals
2 matches in final
TOTAL 16 matches !! In UEFA Champions League, the champion must play 13 matches to win (if is direct qualified in groups). I think is the best way to increase the competition !!

and other big think : add preliminary rounds for CFU clubs and maybe for some Central & North clubs ..... let TH to have chance to defend the title, even with 5 mexicans in competition

 

With 24 teams in first groups stage and 16 teams in second groups stage, and with some new rules, we can have real football in CONCACAF :
5 teams from Mexic (TH + other 4 teams)
4 teams from USA
3 teams from Costa Rica
2 teams from Canada
in total 14 teams from top4 leagues from a total of 24 teams !! But still need to create a preliminary round :

direct entry (19 of 24) :
TH
4 Mexicans
4 USA
2 Costa Rica
1 Canada
1 Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, Nicaragua, Belize, CFU champion

preliminary (10 teams for 5 places) :
1 Costa Rica
1 Canada
1 Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, Nicaragua, Belize
2 CFU (runner-up & third place)

Anybody can have good ideas, but CONCACAF don't allow to hear us.... they must do what they want

 

Think to give a chance for TH to keep their title.

I think curently spot alocation for countries is OK, but need some more spots for some leagues there, and due of this ... a increasion of teams

1. TH - I think in any competition, the TH must have a chance to keep the title. So, even if they are not qualified from the league, must to be qualified automaticaly
2. Canada - even if Canada have a league, they made big performance than Honduras, Guatemala or El Salvador. And if we talk about fans .... we know canadian clubs in CCL have much attendance than an american club. CONCACAF can find a "rule", something to give 2 spots for this country.
3. Costa Rica - like Canada, Costa Rica had some good results in CCL, so probably 3rd spot for them will be a huge step for both parts (Costa Rica and CCL)
4. CFU have only 3 spots .... even if every year in CFU Championship are only 10 - 12 nations, 3 spots is too low for almost 30 nations registered in this region. What will happening if all 30 countries will register their champions and runner-up in competition? 60 teams will play for 3 spots? I think, CFU need 4 or 5 teams in CCL, but depend by format.

So, in curently format we have 24 teams. What is better (if we add these 4 spots for TH, Canada, Costa Rica and CFU? to make space and keep 24 teams (to kick a spot from Honduras, El Salvador, Panama and Nicaragua/Belize), or too add another 4 spots ? (curently 24 + our 4 spots + other 4 spots?)

So, if we add 4 spots for TH, Canada, Costa Rica and CFU ... need to add other 4 to form a league with 32 clubs :

and again :

1. Honduras have 2 teams. But as Costa Rica, they can have 3 very easy, their football are strong for this region
2*. Why Nicaragua and Belize have only a spot in CCL, if rest of Central countries have 2? Give them one more berth there.
3*. CFU, with a expansion at 32, CFU can earn other spot !! So, finally, 5 teams from CFU will complete groups stage of CCL (5 of 32 is a decent number).

or if you think Nicaragua and Belize are too poor to have 2 teams in groups, 3 places for them (from 4), only the champion to qualify (champion of Nicaragua & champion of Belize) + a play off between runner-ups from these 2 countries, with 4th spots given for 6th CFU club.

So, we will be at a format like this :

1 - TH
4 - Mexico, USA
3 - Costa Rica, Honduras
2 - Canada, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama
1.5 - Nicaragua, Belize
6 - CFU

Which will be the difference between curently and this new format?

- for Mexico and USA not too big, only one more spot probably (if they will win the CCL)
- Costa Rica +1, Canada +1, Nicaragua/Belize +1
- CFU +3 spots ... probably you will say that is too much. 6 spots for 30 associations I think is ok, but if you say that this football is too poor, I have other surprise

let only 4 spots for CFU and give one for Mexico, one for USA (as in Conmebol). Probably this will be much better for CONCACAF Champions League. So, the new format :

1 - TH
5 - Mexico, USA
3 - Costa Rica, Honduras
2 - Canada, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama
1.5 - Nicaragua, Belize
4 - CFU

With probably 11 teams from Mexico and USA (34% from all 32 clubs) the CCL will have a great increasion of value. With middle leagues from Costa Rica, Honduras and Canada (other 8 teams) we have 19 competitive teams (59%) for semifinals, even the final !!