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)
Very nice history of things ScaryIce. Well done.
ReplyDeleteApologies for contacting you this way. However, I have just launched a blogging network www.reallifenews.com and we have an MLS blog. Perhaps you could add us to your blog roll.
ReplyDeleteTake a look at our latest CONCACAF post here :
http://www.reallifenews.com/football/mls/archive/concacaf/concacaf-champions-cup.php#more
Thanks.
Martin