I would settle for half the matches in the knockout rounds in Mexico. As would probably many who want to see some semblance of a balanced format. They can make their money in the league phase.
I can imagine they may create some hosting possibility for the quarterfinals. Such as the three teams that get home games in the group stage would also host the quarterfinal if they get there. I would advocate giving QF home games to the top two in the MX table. With only one MX semifinalist in three tournaments, something to increase parity between the leagues is needed to keep the Liga MX clubs engaged.
What engages Liga MX clubs are the dls. They can easily demand half the games in Mexico. MLS isn't forcing them to do this. They are partners in this tournament.
On another subject....how are they going to do it with the Mazatlan games if that team disappears after the Liga MX season ends? That team won't exist anymore. Either the entire team will play and disappear officially after Leagues Cup or the new Liga MX team that will buy out their franchise will take over those games. I don't see any other scenario other than one of those two happening.
Very pleased to see Mazatlán disappear. Although they share the same aura as the Leagues Cup. Contrived and inorganic. Surely the returning Atlante FC will take their place?
Morelia is the other club in Ascenso that has real and significant history. They're also in first place. I think Morelia may have something to say about Atlante getting the call.
This is the problem though. No one wants to sit in front of a microphone and tell you why, what and how. Now that MLS and Liga MX have equal amount of teams, why aren't they running the regional tournament in the whole region? Why can't the regular season for both leagues decide two home games for the top nine teams? Why not reward those teams with prize money for finishing top nine? Why is it that Liga MX teams don't want to play in Mexico against MLS teams? Can't Club Tijuana sell tickets to play the Seattle Sounders? It's four years in and someone should at least sit down with the media and answer some questions at the very least.
No, I'm saying it's about the dollar and someone should inform the fans what the plan is and why their partners can't produce the revenue to keep up. Seems like Liga MX is just a six team league that can't revenue share and teams at the bottom are just wallpaper.
And given Morelia was the city screwed over in the creation of Mazatlán FC, I would love for Morelia to take their (Mazatlán's) place. But Atlante will also do. In any case, it's a good thing that promotion and relegation is returning soon. The bottom half of Liga MX has gotten way too complacent. Couldn't care less. Every time a team designed on PowerPoint bites the dust, especially one created at the expense of traditional club, my heart jumps with joy.
So it's a good thing that the relegated ownership can now just buy the license of the promoted team and keep the "relegated" team in LigaMX? That's what happened before.
I know. And the rules around this definitely have to be tightened. But even if imperfect, it still beats a closed shop with historical clubs like Atlante, Morelia, Leones Negros, or Irapuato stuck below.
Liga MX doesn't want ProRel. At best they'll increase their league to 20 teams selling 2 franchises ala MLS. Puebla, Leon and Atlas are also for sale or in the process of being sold by end of year. I doubt Atlas and Leon move but Puebla might.
Pro/Rel is coming back next year. Confirmed by the CAS. CAS: Liga MX to reinstate promotion-relegation next season - ESPN
It's still undetermined how ProRel will be applied. There is still no mention of changing the requirements they had before.
Yes, the details remain to be seen. But even the vague threat of relegation should light a bit of a fire under some of the lower half clubs that have been coasting since Covid. From a level of play perspective, it will be good for the whole league.
The details are the most important thing. CAS might have ruled in favor but ultimately it is up to Liga MX to make up those standards and I don't think they'll make them favorable for anyone in the second division.