I would enjoy seeing the MLS teams start to play a schedule of regular 'friendlies' with the teams of the Mexican League. It would benefit both leagues. Wednesday evenings are virtually vacant right now. Chivas vs Galaxy would sell out the HDC. America vs San Jose, the matchups are endless. I would bet it would be great draw. Besides, these matches would give a reason to install the missle shields so lacking at HDC.
Chivas versus ANYONE at HDC would sell out. America vs. ANYONE would sell out in San Jose. MLS is in the middle of its season right now--to take off time to play some meaningless friendlies is something you can do occasionally, but not regularly. [imagine] This week: Monterey (I am only assuming they haven't been relegated) vs. KC at Arrowhead. Is this going to grab 25,000 as a midweek game? Wanna bet? We do get our chances to meet during the year because of FIFA regional tournaments and the occasional friendly. Some sort of challenge series might be interesting, but unless someone is going to put up the money, both teams are not going to welcome additional matches. It's only made worse by the fact that their seasons don't exactly overlap. Do you want Mexican teams to come up here during their off-season? As a Burn fan, I'd like to see friendlies not only w/ Mexican clubs, but with European clubs (I don't think we've ever gotten a home match vs. a Euro club yet). The season difference is again a problem. As interest in MLS grows, the idea of more interleague games might catch on...
DC United has played in friendlies vs. Tottenham and Blackburn already this year. Therefore I'd say your chances are better of playing a EPL team rather than a Mexican team.
And what? You asked if they had been relegated. Since they're champions, doesn't that answer your question? I don't see any incentive for Mexican teams to come to the U.S. and play MLS teams regularily. It's like asking MLS teams to fly to Canada in midweek and play an A-league team from up there.
Actually, no they're not. This season for instance, there are only 3 match-days scheduled in mid-week.
Sure it is. While I give the Mexican league credit as better than MLS I don't think you can compare the difference betweent the two as the same as between the US first and US second division. That's like say why would ManU fly to France to play Monaco when they when it would be the same as playing Preston. Sorry - not buying it.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Many people point to the Concacaf Champions Cup to "prove" that the MFL is soooooooo much better, but that is garbage. When MLS teams play those Mexican teams in the Champions Cup, the MLS teams are still in training camp. And they are playing Mexican league teams that are towards the end of a full playing season and are in better shape and form. What happens when they come and play MLS teams when the MFL teams are just starting training camp? I think you would find that they get waxed too.
I agree that there needs to be more interleague play. And get rid of the CONCACAF Champion's League. Starting in March or April, it puts MLS teams at a huge disadvantage since they aren't game fit yet. If I was Garber, I'd refuse to participate until it was rescheduled. But just having friendlies can get pretty lame. Maybe there should be some kind of challenge cup with the winning team getting a decent cash reward. If there was some incentive, you wouldn't see teams empty their bench as much and the games would get better.
I think this would be a neat idea. I would set up as the "North American Cup". It would be a knockout tournament featuring eight MFL teams (top two teams from each division - though some might choose to opt out if they are already fielding teams in Copa Liberatados and CONCACAF Champions Cup) and the eight MLS playoff teams. In the first round, MLS teams would have to play an MFL team. There would be no seeding. All of the first and second round games would be played in neutral venues based on a drawing. Before the drawing, the MLS and MFL games would agree to several venues and these would be assigned via drawing at the same time that the team matchups were assigned. The teams would be strongly encouraged to consider venues that do not have a regular top division team (Tijuana (I am sure there are a couple other Mexican cities that would more or less qualify), San Diego, San Antonio, Houston, Phoenix, San Francisco, etc). But teams could also play in a MFL or MLS city provided it was not within X miles of either of the opponents home base. All gate revenues would be split by MLS (SUM) and MFL. They would also negotiate a reasonable division of television revenues. MFL would be responsible for rewarding their teams from their cut of the gate revenues and MLS would pay player bonuses (and credit teams money for accounting purposes). The semifinals would be played as a home and home series and the final would alternate between Mexico (Azteca or another top venue) and the US (various stadiums) from year-to-year. I know this would not be feasible, as the CONCACAF Champions Cup is already filling this void. However, I think that as a made for TV event, the North American Cup could be pretty neat. But you would have to sell it along nationalistic lines and that may be unpopular (politically). Also, the MLS teams would struggle to have the same level of fan support in the early games - especially if they were unlucky enough to draw America or Chivas. But at least they wouldn't have to play in a truly hostile Mexican road game environment until the semifinal round. Finally, the matches would be played in November/December, a few weeks after MLS Cup and during the midst (I think) of the MFL Fall Apertura. That way everybody would be on form and in top shape. I would also consider doing this tournament only once every two years (non World Cup/non Qualifying years), though that would make it more difficult to pick which teams have the "privilege" of participating.
Okay, but I still don't see the incentive for the MFL teams. Barcelona flew into Mexico for a mid-week friendly last week against America. Now suppose an MLS team followed them and flew in this mid-week to play America. Would anyone in Mexico City care?? Nope. At least not if it was on a regular basis. Once in a while, okay. The north American Cup idea is cute, but Mexican teams already play upto 60 games per year. I doubt if they are looking for more games that nobody in Mexico would care about (relative to say the Copa Liberatadores). And what's so great about playing MFL teams anyway? They even lose to Chilean and Bolivian teams in the Copa Lib. regularily. So beating them occaisionally would mean diddley. MLS should strive to get a couple spots in the Copa Lib. This would be meaningful and big for the league. And oh yeah, regarding the Champions Cup being played in the off-season. I don't buy that frequently brought-up argument. Remember, Champions' League qualifying also occurs before most European domestic leagues begin.
I think he meant losing in Libertadores in away games to them. As opposed to MLS teams which kicked so much a s s in south america in merconorte.
Believe what you want to believe... Yes, Champion's League qualifying happens before most European leagues start, but that's the same for most of the clubs, so they're all pretty much equal. A team beginning it's season will lose 90% of the time to a equal level team that's half or further into its season. Do you think Manchester United will be playing this poorly in January? No, they'll have had some time to get to know each other and they'll be a much better team. It's the same with all teams in all leagues, including MLS. Make the CONCACAF Chamion's Cup equal or don't play it.
HUH? are you kidding me? do you not understand the difference? CL qualifying DOES occur before most European domestic leagues begin, but that is across the board. all the teams that are playing are on the SAME relative footing because their seasons start roughly the same time. the difference with the CCC is that the Mexican league is in the MIDDLE of their season while MLS is in TRAINING CAMP. Do you not understand how that is a disadvantage??? c'mon, let's get real here.
Re: Believe what you want to believe... Except for those pesky teams like Rosenberg and those from the Russian Premier League. But I agree with the main point. That is why I would like to see these matches played immediately following the MLS Cup. That way, MFL teams are just starting their Fall Season (Clausura Apetura?) and we are just winding down. When you consider how lots of the away fixtures vs MFL teams are played at altitude, the fact that MLS teams have not rounded into game shape really places them at a disadvantage compared to the MFL sides.
Wednesday, August 7, 2002 "Morelia explodes in second half to rout Kansas City 6-1 in Champions Cup semifinal." http://www.soccertimes.com/international/2002/aug07.htm Not exactly on MLS off season.
Oh, so now we're talking about the Kansas City, who was the LAST PLACE TEAM in their conference last year. When you are the worst team in your league, you are going to lose to just about any good team. they couldn't beat the teams in MLS either in 2002.