Question: If Columbus defeats a Western side in the final, who gets the group stage for CCL, is it Houston or the losing side. It used to be that the 2nd in the regular would get the slot when there were only four teams, and the SS winner took the cup. However, the 2nd place regular season is not entrenched as one of the qualifiers where MLS Cup loser is. Therefore, theoretically it as USA 3, should be bounced up to the group stage.
from the Concacaf website: http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?id=4171 so theoretically, if Columbus finishes in both the USA1 and USA2 spot, the MLS Cup runner-up would get the second Group Stage spot next year. However, keep in mind that both Concacaf and/or USSF could change or alter the qualification procedures as they see fit. If they kept the qualification for Superliga and CCL exactly the same as it was this year, and that's a big if, we'd be looking at: Superliga Columbus Houston Chicago New England CCL Columbus DC United (Real Salt Lake or New York) (Chicago or Houston) This year we had the exact same four teams in both tournaments. Next year it'll only be a max of two (or less if the rules are changed), making things much easier on the MLS schedule makers. Interesting that it's possible all 4 teams in the CCL next year would be from the Eastern Conference. Add in Toronto, and you could be looking at FIVE teams from the East in next year's CCL.
I have no doubt that Houston will be in the Superliga next year, mainly for the fact that the tourney draws well in Houston and it is a huge Hispanic market. Chicago will be in it for the Blanco and Hispanic market effect. As for the CCL, I'm not sure the Dynamo organization even wants to be in it next year, seeing the fixture congestion at the end of the year this season.
Not really, they can turn it down. They might miss out on some small amount of money for qualifying, but other than that, I don't think there will be any penalty for opting out of CCL
That was commentary, not a statement of what they will do. They're a little more enthused now that they are eliminated from this year's MLS playoffs but they seemed more bothered by the tournament than anything. You need to define "play in it" - does that mean send your reserves or actually send out the first squad? I would argue that most of the MLS teams participated but did not "play in it" (or at least play very long in it)
If you go to concacaf's website and read the rules of the competition you'll see that there is fines, as well as the possiblility of the federation (USSF) not being able to compete in the following year.
There are really only two possibilities: 1. The winners of the conference championship games get the last two spots 2. Houston goes into the last spot if Columbus beats Chicago. To make it a bit easier, here are the qualifications for CCL 1. MLS Cup Champion = undecided; in Group Stage 2. MLS Supporter's Shield = Columbus Crew; in Group Stage 3. MLS Cup Runner up = undecided; Preliminary state 4. USOC Champion = DC United; Preliminary stage Two spots are undetermined (MLS Cup & MLS Cup Runner-Up slots) There are two possible scenarios that can play out: 1. The winners of the Conference Championship games get the last two spots. This is the result for sure in the West, as RSL OR NY will be in the CCL next year for sure, and Chicago is in as well. 2. Columbus beats Chicago = Houton + whomever wins the West. If Columbus wins, then they'll have two of the spots (SS + winner/runner up MLS Cup) and the that spot goes to the team the with best record who isn't already qualified, which is Houston. So, in order of stability, we know the CCL will look like: 1. Columbus Crew (SS Winner) = Group Stage 2. DC United (USOC Winner) = Preliminary Stage 3. RSL/NY Winner = in (don't know what spot, but they'll be in pending the MLS Cup result) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Houston OR Houston. Chicago IF they beat Columbus, Houston if they don't. I'd look for Superliga to include the next best teams not in CCL, so I'd go with: 1. Chicago/Houston (whomever doesn't make it) 2. New England (they'll be healthier and are defending Champs) + next best record. 3. Chivas USA: same as New England. 4. Kansas City: next best record, though the league will probably find a way to get RSL in if they don't beat NY.
So, to expand on that: If Columbus wins the MLS Cup Final: Columbus (USA 1 - Group Stage) New York - RSL Winner (USA 2 - Group Stage) DC United (USA 3 - Prelim Stage) Houston (USA 4 - Prelim Stage) If Columbus loses the MLS Cup Final: New York - RSL Winner (USA 1 - Group Stage) Columbus (USA 2 - Group Stage) DC United (USA 3 - Prelim Stage) Houston (USA 4 - Prelim Stage) If Chicago wins on Thursday: New York-RSL/Chicago Winner (USA 1 - Group Stage) Columbus (USA 2 - Group Stage) DC United (USA 3 - Prelim Stage) New York-RSL/Chicago Loser (USA 4 - Prelim Stage)