I don't know much about the non-MLS/Mexican sides ... Anyone have any info on the relative strengths of the other teams?
Municipal went out in the first round last year to the Fire, 3-0 on aggregate. Alajuelense was a semifinalist, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Pachuca, the eventual champions. They also made the final 8 in 2000 (played Jan. 2001) where they lost to DC. Deportivo Árabe Unido qualified from a fough group that included two Salvadoran sides. They finished first in the tiebreaker. Motagua finished second behind Alajuelense in their qualifying group on aggregate. They did not qualify last year.
Ranking the Mexican clubs... 1. Toluca 2. America 3. Morelia 4. Necaxa I'm sure one could argue for Morelia at #2 and America at #3. Ranking the MLS clubs... 1. Los Angeles 2. San Jose 3. New England 4. Columbus This is based on regular season standings. Heading into the 2003 season I would rank them this way... 1. Los Angeles 2. New England 3. Columbus 4. San Jose Arguements could be made for all four. Ranking the other eight based on results and pedigree since I've not seen many of them play in a long time or ever... 1. Alajeula 2. Arabe Unido 3. Motagua 4. Comunicaciones 5. Municipal 6. FAS 7. W. Connection 8. Arnett Gardens My predictions through to the Champion... Round-of-16 Toluca vs W. Connection Municipal vs San Jose Earthquakes America vs FAS Alajeula vs New England Revolution Comunicaciones vs Morelia Arabe Unido vs Columbus Arnett Gardens vs Necaxa Motagua vs Los Angeles Galaxy Quarterfinals Toluca vs San Jose Earthquakes America vs Alajeula Morelia vs Columbus Necaxa vs Los Angeles Galaxy Semifinals Toluca vs America Columbus vs Los Angeles Galaxy Final America vs Los Angeles Galaxy 2003 CONCACAF Champion Club America (Mexico) I will, however, be pulling for a MLS "Final Four"!
I would love MLS final four, but I highy doubt it. The dates for the first round are the 12 and 26 of March. It will still be pretty cold in New England and Columbus those days, that should help. Here is the link for the MLSnet article: http://www.mlsnet.com/content/03/cc0203result.html
If one reads this article, has no idea what happens after the first round. It's either that MLS has no idea or they assume people are stupid and don'r care who will face who in the round of 16 and so on.
Playing in Panama is no easy task, but the Crew should have no problem at home against the Panama club.
the mlsnet site says which teams are home v. away. does that mean the "home" team will play at home on March 12th (or so) and the away" team at home on the 26th or 27? or is it just a designation and the teams have to figure it out for themselves. just hoping to make some plans to hopefully catch the galaxy on the 12th at home as i can't make it on the 26th or 27th.
muy cool There's still a question about how seriously the MFL teams take the competition. They've often sent their reserves to these games - and still got some good results even on the road. But maybe that's changing a bit. America, which in the past has been reluctant to send their best players, pulled their five players out of Lavolpe's nat'l team training camp last week to go play FAS in a friendly in Laredo. So maybe they're starting to realize that their fans in the US won't show up if the stars aren't coming.
Yeah, doesn't really look like Wade at all. Anyway, interesting draw. The quarterfinal round will be especially interesting and I would like to see MLS place 2 teams in the final 4, but the only team I'd actually put money on making it that far is the Galaxy.
Re: muy cool why is that a factor, ?...is there something to gain by it, do they get a cut of the gate receipts, i doubt it
You can only burn so many bridges... Problaby not, but dunno. I was thinking in terms of their reputation in the marketplace. Judging by attendances for friendlies featuring MFL clubs last year, the clubs need to rebuild their credibility with their local fans. A random friendly in the US isn't a guaranteed cash cow anymore. I don't think they can get away with picking and choosing which games in the US they'll bring the stars. The fans won't believe some announcement for a particular game if the clubs' credibility stinks. They need to re-establish a track record of showing up with the stars. In any event, even the reserves of any of these MFL clubs would be a good competitive experience for MLS clubs.
Galaxy have by far the easiest. Necaxa isn't playing well right now. Revs have to face Alajuelense then America? Good luck. Morelia may be accessible for Columbus--they don't look as strong up front without Alex. McBride's return could help. Don't underestimate the sides from Costa Rica, Honduras or Guatemala. Remember how Olimpia of Honduras knocked out the Mexican clubs last time? Motagua is coming off a bad year, but nothing's certain.
Galaxy have by far the easiest. Necaxa isn't playing well right now. Revs have to face Alajuelense then America? Good luck. Morelia may be accessible for Columbus--they don't look as strong up front without Alex. McBride's return could help. Don't underestimate the sides from Costa Rica, Honduras or Guatemala. Remember how Olimpia of Honduras knocked out the Mexican clubs last time? Motagua is coming off a bad year, but nothing's certain.
Are there any Chicago Fire players with Morelia righ now that coud play in the potential game? Or does the MLS season begin before those games would take place? My dates are messed up in my head and I can't remember anything right now.
in fact necaxa is having a great season start, and is playing better than america, toluca and morelia here are the positions in the mfl so far # Equipo JJ JG JE JP GF GC DIF PTS 1 Monterrey 4 3 1 0 10 6 4 10 2 Cuernavaca 4 3 0 1 8 2 6 9 3 Tigres 4 3 0 1 7 3 4 9 4 Necaxa 4 3 0 1 5 1 4 9 5 Chivas 4 2 2 0 8 5 3 8 6 Santos 4 2 1 1 5 2 3 7 7 Gallos Blancos 4 2 1 1 3 2 1 7 8 Pachuca 4 1 3 0 3 2 1 6 9 Atlas 4 2 0 2 5 6 -1 6 10 América 4 1 1 2 6 4 2 4 11 Toluca 4 1 1 2 8 8 0 4 12 Puebla 4 1 1 2 3 4 -1 4 13 Veracruz 4 1 1 2 3 4 -1 4 14 Atlante 4 1 1 2 6 8 -2 4 15 Morelia 4 1 1 2 5 7 -2 4 16 Jaguares 4 1 1 2 3 6 -3 4 17 San Luis 4 1 1 2 3 8 -5 4 18 Cruz Azul 4 0 3 1 4 6 -2 3 19 Tecos 4 0 2 2 1 5 -4 2 20 Pumas 4 0 1 3 4 11 -7