Hey everyone, first post on bs. Just wondering what people think of this: http://www.foxsportsworld.com/content/view?contentId=2197884
Dear Newbie, This has been discussed to death. MLS team size, salary cap, and logistics of travel are all factors currently standing in the way of participation. For right now MLS teams need to prove that they can beat Central American opposition on a continual basis in the Champions Cup (which they haven't). MLS isn't ready for the Copa Libertadores - it's that plain and simple.
Yes this has been discussed before. I do wonder if the MLS bosses (Anchutz/Garber and others) are doing anything about it.
It's no big deal, it happens.... Dmid: Yes, this topic HAS been discussed a lot...but thanks for bringing this article to the boards.....Well, let me put this way how people feel about it: -Some people around here think the US clubs should not participate since we have our own confederation championship (the coveted Champions Cup ) and our "mission" is to win the WC, not Copa Libertadores....Misguided radical thinking, if you ask me.....Perhaps we are not ready yet, but not even 3-4 yrs from now? What bothers me most of this way of thinking is that sometimes i read comments like "libertadores is crap/worthless/don't need it/etc." -Those like me and others: Once MLS has 6-7 SSS, and can afford to start establishing reserve teams.... we should get to Copa Libertadores ASAP...The WC and lofty club ambitions CAN complement each other and our chances at better success at both level can improve by both having players in Europe and also domestic players in Copa Lib and the regular MLS season... I do believe 3-4 yrs. down the road this is feasable -Finally, those who think we should wait longer...I disagree but respect the opinion....Posters of this thinking feel like after SSS are built in 6-7 markets, we first increase salary cap, expand 1-4 teams, and worry about Copa Libertadores in 8-10 yrs when our clubs will be strong enough and stable enough to make a statement..... I disagree b/c Mexico started with teams that did not do well at first and were not really prepared...Copa Lib. is the kind of tournament in which clubs little by little get used to the atmosphere, the refs (not as bad as MLS but some weird crap does sometimes go on)....and especially because i think financially speaking, once we have the SSS needed, it is quite viable to show the quality of MLS to an audience (especially Hispanics) who might not yet appreciate it...Not to mention the great paltform it can provide to increase the value of the players involved...
Thanks, purojogo. Think I agree with you, once the resources are in place, then playing top South American clubs competetively can only help the MLS improve, even if only 1 or 2 clubs participate each year. Hope it eventually happens.
dmid, Here are some old threads that you might want to look at: - https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=81552&perpage=15&pagenumber=1 - https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=92001 MLS teams might not have to wait much longer to face high quality opposition however, as FIFA will try to bring back the Club World Championship in 2005: - https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=95743 MLS teams will have to win the Champions Cup though... PS: If you use the search function it's really easy to find old threads on specific topics.
Would it be any easier to get into the Champions League than the Copa Libertadores? (that question was half serious) MLS is obviously not in either confederation but why should they be invited to the Copa Libertadores and not the Champions League? Actually...I was being sarcastic but now I'm kind of curious. Does UEFA even "invite" clubs from other confederations? I'm tired and I'm not wording anything right, sorry.
I think this thread merits a little discussion on Wheelock's article since it is recent and brings it to a forefront.
MLS and Copa Lib If Major League Soccer continues with it's current summer season concept, I see no reason an MLS club would be incapable of participating in the Libertadores. A matter of fact is that the early rounds would take place during MLS pre-season. As a result, one of their clubs could totally concentrate on the tournament and not be distracted by league play. That would be to their advantage. It would certainly be a hardship on the South American clubs in a group with the MLS teams because of the travel. Mexican clubs, of course, would have little problem with that factor. It would be very interesting to see.
Regarding the travel, they could simply group the US teams with the MEX teams or, for example, a more "northerly" SA country such as COL or VEN. They already create the groups based on countries, i.e. two from each. Not sure if they perennialy pair up teams form the same two countries. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing MLS battling MEX teams yearly for the right to become champions of the Hemisphere. Probably not much reason to stage the Intercontamawhatsis Cup anymore. Save the flights to Sao Paulo for the knockout rounds.