According to Goff's blog, details about 2008 SuperLiga will be revealed tomorrow (Thur 3/13) at 3pm ET: From this, it looks likely that the setup will be identical to 2007, with all the games in the US. My guess is that the other group will play their group games a day later, so we'd get a full schedule like this: Sat 7/12 Group A game #1 Sun 7/13 Group B game #1 Tues 7/15 Group A game #2 Wed 7/26 Group B game #2 Sat 7/19 Group A game #3 Sun 7/19 Group B game #3 Tues 7/29 Semifinal #1 Wed 7/30 Semifinal #2 Tues 8/5 or Wed 8/6 Final Based on previous reports, DC and Houston are in Group A and Chivas USA and New England are in Group B.
True, kinda silly on my part. So, the rumors of some of the participants and groups were off... instead of UNAM Pumas, Santos Laguna is participating (oddly, Santos Laguna was the team was was said to have turned down a bid in 2007 and was replaced by Morelia). Also, Pachuca is not in the group with DC and Houston, but in the Chivas/NE group. I assume that the all Mexican games will be in the US as well, though I surprised that the sites are announced. Last year, they had all the details worked out for an announcement in January. Also, disappointed with the lack of mention of any English broadcast in the US. I hope that is still a possibility, but not optimistic.
I believe it was Cruz Azul that turned down the invitation for the 2007 Superliga. It makes sense that Pumas UNAM are not in it, they already complained about the Interliga in January and sent many reserves. More and more Primera Division coaches are tired of having these tournaments interfere with their offseason plans.
The X-Games wouldn't be for another 11 days, but I wouldn't think those four teams would need anything bigger than the HDC.
Same setup as last year. DCU and Chivas play all group stages at home, NE and Houston host the Mexican squads. Last year, Dallas and Houston hosted all three of their group stage games. Presumably, the all Mexican games would be hosted at a different site in the US. Chicago, Colorado, and Dallas seem to me to be the most likely choices given the SSS's and the relative size of their Mexican populations. Though the idea mentioned earlier in this thread of a double header in LA of Chivas/NE and Pachuca/Santos sounds possible.
I don't think as many MLS teams will advance, and wouldn't be surprised if only DC or Houston advances. That's a tough f'in group.
Well, I think the fact that the Mexican teams are in pre-season will play a role (especially with 3 games in a week and travel across the country between games) and will help the MLS teams. There certainly didn't seem to be a huge advantage for the Mexican squads last year despite some less than stellar MLS team being involved.
True, but Group A is going to be a huge GOD. DC and Houston will have played a whole heck of a lot of games by that point with more on the horizon and I wouldn't be surprised to see only one advance (again). Also, this'll be the first time NE has been in a (quasi) meaning tournament in a few years and it'll be interesting to see how they handle it. Do they blow it off, or actually try to win something. Also be nice in that Atlante and Houston may be facing each other in a rematch of CCC, which would be the 2nd year in a row that's happened for us. Go fig. What are the odds?
Actually, both Houston and DCU advanced last year. And I don't know if they are really playing that many excess games. Granted, how they do in the CCC will affect that, but they only have a few midweek games before then (they both have 2 Wed MLS games in addition to one Thur/Sat/Sun MLS game each week). Houston has 9 days off before their first SL game and DCU has 13 days off. They should be rested a bit. I don't see why they wouldn't take it seriously -- it's the only games they are playing between 7/4 and 8/9 (except USOC games, I guess). Why would they not put full effort?
They presented it as fact. I'm crazy that way, expecting accuracy from people who puff their chests out about how important they are.
This is the truth, they scream from the heavens when anything they say is correct, but when it's wrong, it's only a "rumor" site.
Fair point. But I have disdain for much of that crap too. I hadn't visited jade's little baby in a while, but remembered them saying they had all the details a long time ago so no one needed to check elsewhere. When I saw Steve's post, I had to confirm. Made me laugh and since they delete anything you try and point out against them from their comments, just thought I'd share the love here. I love schadenfreude.
unlikely. given that the Nationals have their own stadium this year (i think that was the conflict in 2007).