CONCACAF Champions Cup & MLS

(EDIT: See the new version of this post for 2007. This post contains a few errors in the scores and team records. I don't like to change things afterwards, in case you're wondering.) Personally, I think the Champions Cup is the most exciting event in soccer this year until the World Cup. The MLS season will always be here, and it really doesn't matter too much who wins. But the CCC is our one shot per year to really make an impact internationally, and with the World Club Championship it's far more important than previously. That bonus for the winner brings guaranteed money and the opportunity to go up against the best. However, ever since the CCC went to the two legged format (which was a good move), MLS teams have been downright awful. They just can't get it done on the road. MLS clubs have only 7 wins in other countries, from in all international competitions (out of 30 tries). That's pitiful, and a sign that we have a long ways to go still. Which brings us to today and tomorrow's matches. I have no doubts that MLS is a better league than Costa Rica top to bottom, it's just that the salary cap spreads out the talent and hinders us in these competitions. And our lack of experience in hostile environments contributes to that lousy away record. It's vitally important that they win the opening home legs. New England probably is a better team than Los Angeles, with more national team players who have been in camp. They also have a weaker opponent in Alajuelense, who are struggling. But injuries are hitting them at the wrong time, and the Galaxy may have a better shot at advancing despite facing the better team in Saprissa. We always get our hopes up, only to have them crushed. I would settle for a split here. Historically, that's the least we should accept. Every year we've participated, an MLS team has advanced past the first round. But anything past that is unexpected. MLS in the CONCACAF Champions Cup 1997 (final tournament held in Washington D.C.) Qualifier Los Angeles 4:1 Santos Laguna Quarterfinals D.C. United 1:0 United Petrotrin Los Angeles 2:0 Luis Angel Firpo Semifinals D.C. United 0:1 Los Angeles 3rd Place D.C. United 2:2 Guadalajara Final Los Angeles 3:5 Cruz Azul 1998 (final tournament held in Washington D.C.) Qualifier Colorado 1:0 Leon Leon 4:2 Colorado Quarterfinals D.C. United 8:0 Joe Public Semifinals D.C. United 2:0 Leon Final D.C. United 1:0 Toluca 1999 (final tournament held in Las Vegas) Quarterfinals D.C. United 1:0 Olimpia Chicago 2:0 Joe Public Semifinals D.C. United 1:3 Necaxa Chicago 1:1 (4-5 pks) Alajuenense 3rd Place D.C. United 2:2 Chicago 2000 (final tournament held in Los Angeles) Quarterfinals D.C. United 2:1 Alajuenense Los Angeles 0:0 (5-3 pks) Real Espana Semifinals Los Angeles 1:1 (4-2 pks) D.C. United 3rd Place D.C. United 1:2 Pachuca Final Los Angeles 3:2 Olimpia 2002 Round of 16 Olimpia 0:1 San Jose San Jose 2:0 Olimpia W. Connection 0:1 Kansas City Kansas City 2:0 W. Connection Comunicaciones 4:0 D.C. United D.C. United 2:1 Comunicaciones Municipal 0:1 Chicago Chicago 2:0 Municipal Quarterfinals Pachuca 3:0 San Jose San Jose 1:0 Pachuca Santos Laguna 2:1 Kansas City Kansas City 2:0 Santos Laguna Morelia 2:0 Chicago Chicago 2:1 Morelia Semifinals Morelia 6:1 Kansas City Kansas City 1:1 Morelia 2003 Round of 16 Arabe Unido 1:2 Columbus Columbus 3:0 Arabe Unido Alajuelense 4:0 New England Alajuelense 1:3 New England (home leg) Municipal 4:2 San Jose San Jose 2:1 Municipal Motagua 2:2 Los Angeles Los Angeles 1:0 Motagua Quarterfinals Morelia 6:0 Columbus Columbus 2:0 Morelia Los Angeles 1:4 Necaxa Necaxa 2:1 Los Angeles 2004 Quarterfinals Alajuelense 3:0 San Jose San Jose 1:0 Alajuelense San Juan Jabloteh 5:2 Chicago Chicago 4:0 San Juan Jabloteh Semifinals Saprissa 2:0 Chicago Chicago 2:1 Saprissa 2005 Quarterfinals Kansas City 0:0 Saprissa Saprissa 2:1 Kansas City (AET) D.C. United 2:1 Harbour View Harbour View 1:2 D.C. United Semifinals D.C. United 1:1 UNAM Pumas UNAM Pumas 5:0 D.C. United Alltime Records W L D Pts GF GA GD D.C. United 9 5 4 31 29 25 4 Chicago 6 3 2 20 18 14 4 Los Angeles 5 3 2 17 19 17 2 San Jose 5 3 0 15 9 11 -2 Kansas City 3 3 2 11 9 11 -2 Columbus 3 1 0 9 7 7 0 Colorado 1 1 0 3 3 4 -1 New England 1 1 0 3 3 5 -2 Never participated: CHV, DAL, HOU, MET, MIA, RSL, TB (we're 3 goals away from 100 total from MLS teams in the competition)