CPL gets 2, CF Montreal was too weak to beat Forge to advance and most likely secure the runner up of the Canadian Championship and TFC were even worst and were eliminated early
In all honesty even if one of those teams would've qualified they wouldn't make much of a difference either. Those 2 are bad. Really bad.
With the upcoming MLS schedule change, I fully expect Garber to start lobbying Montagliani to move the CCC to the second half of the calendar year. So that the CCC elimination rounds don’t interfere with the MLS playoffs. It’s also better for the CPL, which Montagliani cares about. And what will happen to that fabulous Leagues Cup? Will it die a violent death?
Only if all those wealthy sponsors drop out. If only CONCACAF could be find sponsors besides Scotiabank the CCC might be financially viable to the teams talking part.
CCC shouldn't interfere with MLS play offs. They don't interfere with Liga MX who currently has the same schedule that MLS is planning on changing to.
Leagues Cup contract ends the same year MLS is planning on changing the schedule to. We'll see if it gets renewed or not.
When the CCC eliminated the group stage in 2018, the rumor was that MLS picked the first half of the calendar year for the revamped CCC so there is no overlap with the playoff race and actual playoffs. Much to the dismay of those MLS fans that wanted the pre/early season disadvantage in CCC gone.
I honestly think more would care if we didn't play so many dang games against Liga MX these days...the novelty is wearing off. I enjoy it mainly to see how some of these underdog Central American teams stack up, but I also tune in for a big Mexican team versus big MLS team (the difference being that happens a lot more often these days than maybe once every couple years before).
The average MLS fan isn’t fretting about MLS quality vs. Liga MX so it’s not surprising the CCC isn’t seen as some hugely important thing..
Interesting thought, but I don't think much of a tweak is needed. Having CCL in the fall would mean that doing a double would be impossible, at least for the same squad. I'd hate that. CCC this year: Rd1: 2/4-6 + 2/18-20 & 2/11-13 + 2/25-27 Rd16: 3/4-6 + 3/11-13 QF: 4/1-2 + 4/8-9 SF: 4/23-24 + 4/30 & 5/1 Final: June 1 I mean, if you clean up that Rd1 schedule and move everything up a week or two, you are clear of the POs. Save for the Final. Just have it post MLS Cup. Having LC & CCC in the same half is tough. Though I get the idea of having your 2 biggest Finals spread out. There is an advantage in having them together, as well. I don't think Mexican teams woukd be too find of playing CCC SFs or Finals in cold weather. It would be a huge MLS edge.
CCC gets you a CWC berth. Unless you are Miami. Assuming CWC continues, I am sure Garber would like more MLS (and not Liga MX) teams in the tourney (that is $$$). And big presteige if we start winning some games and advancing. Step 1 is doing better than Liga MX. Start winning CCC more often. 2/3rds, 3 of 4. We already clobber them in LC, thoughbthe timing helps. Then start doing better than Flamengo & Boca in CWC. Be the best league with the best teams in the Americas. That is the goal here. Then start nipping on the heels of Ligue 1 & Serie A.
If MLS controls CONCACAF and tells them how to run the joint then whoever is running MLS is doing everything wrong. They should tell CONCACAF to start CCC on mid March-late April and finish it late July-late August so MLS can have all the advantages. Because the way it was set up benefits Liga MX.
But it isn't only MLS. It seems it's a common theme here in CONCACAF. Those CCC games that include Central American and Caribbean teams don't draw good either. I don't know if it has to do with Liga MX winning every single year that it kills the excitement for everyone else or people aren't just interested in it as much. Same thing is happening in South America with Brazil dominating but interest doesn't seem to die down.
The CCC final in early June is scheduled after the Liga MX final to avoid any conflict. No CCC games take place during Liga MX plays offs which is mostly the entire month of May.
If Garber and the MLS owners want to win CCC to play in CWC (good pay outs!) then they have to change the salary rules to be on an equal playing field with Liga MX. If changes are coming then they won't take place until 2028 when the new CBA starts. But with FIFA increasing the CWC to 48 teams that means CONCACAF will get a bump in representation. If they stick with the same rules of 2 teams per country (plus CCC champions) MLS will get at minimum 2 spots guaranteed without winning a single CCC in the next 3 years.
If MLS really wanted an advantage they could've separated CCC into 2 parts. 1st half played from March-April and 2nd part from Late July to mid September giving them a big advantage in the latter stage of the tournament as they would be in full season mode compared to the other leagues in the area. And that's IF it changes dramatically at all. I'll be happy if they just exclude the transfer fees from the salary cap.
Hard to see how CONCACAF doesn't use this opportunity to bring back the group stage in the Fall with knockout in the spring formula. Hopefully, they bring back the CONCACAF league as the region second tier competition where both Liga MX & also MLS clubs qualifies (now it makes sense to send half the league split in both )