Comments on: CONCACAF Champions League Week 4 in Review

By: Ted Westervelt

Ted Westervelt — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:45:51 +0000

This is the most interesting interface between our closed, franchised, cocooned and cost controlled first division and free and open system of global soccer.

I used to be eager to see these matches as well. Jaded by a decade and a half of the bogus single entity system, I see our clubs limited from the top by salary caps, teeny squad sizes, player allocations, fleabag hotels and even flying coach going up against unlimited clubs from the rest of the world.

I can’t be the only one not getting off on seeing a hamstrung MLS clubs under the draconian cost cutting measures of billionaire owners who don’t even know their players going up against free clubs with owners whose hearts are generally larger than their pocketbooks.

Gotta be cruel to be kind.

By: Classic Cardy Ugg Boots

Classic Cardy Ugg Boots — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:32:40 +0000

?Wherever valour true is found, true modesty will there abound.

By: DCLee

DCLee — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:12:55 +0000

Tournaments change every year minus the big headed monsters that dominate Europe in the UEFA Champions League and I like that different teams get to show how they can fare against regional clubs for a chance at international tests. Last year it was the disappointment of the MLS and the great play of USL-1 and teams like CD Marathon who won the group of death in my opinion with DCU, Saprissa and Atlante in one group. This year the MLS teams are playing much better and fielding stronger sides so it is hopefully their turn to shine(fingers crossed!) as they try to take on the Mexican clubs.

For the record D.C. United beat Pachuca 2-1 at home in early April last season but lost on aggregate to the Mexican side 3-2.

By: silente

silente — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:15:00 +0000

Ummm, why would you want to call it the North American Carling Cup? I hadn’t realized Carling had agreed to sponsor it.

It’s called the CONCACAF Champions League because it is modeled on the UEFA Champions League, with a play-in, group stage, and knockout rounds. The old tournament was the Champions Cup because there was no group stage, just two legged ties. Thus a cup, and now a league. Champions because these teams are the best of their respective countries, and CONCACAF because that’s the federation running the tournament. What’s confusing about this?

Truly I don’t understand why you would have a problem with the name.

By: Robert Jonas

Robert Jonas — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:08:49 +0000

In context to the Dynamo advancing to the knock-out stages, I referred to Arabe Unido as their “chief rival.” Pachuca is going to advance without difficulty from this group, as will all the Mexican teams in the tournament. However, for the Dynamo (and the Crew and DCU) the task remains to at least out play the other two teams in their group, in order to secure the second spot in the group. As such, Arabe Undio remains the more important opponent.

Don’t get me wrong, I want to see MLS teams topple the Mexican clubs. But they remain underdogs in those matches, even at home. If any team seems capable of getting a result against a Mexican club, it would be Houston.

Perhaps having the knockout stages played during the preseason will benefit MLS clubs. At least there will be no fixture congestion to worry about.

By: todd

todd — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:58:35 +0000

only because MLS teams will be in preseason form for the knockout rounds…

( also “chief rival” ?! that would be Pachuca against DYnamo.. not ARabe…. wtf? )

By: Joe in Indianapolis

Joe in Indianapolis — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:49:20 +0000

It would definitely be nice to see 3 MLS teams in the knockout stage against Mexican teams.

By: Gods own Country

Gods own Country — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:44:20 +0000

Why do we need to call this CONCACAF Champions League, can we just call it the North American Carling Cup.
Othe than Mexican Clubs there is no other clubs that is going to win this championship.

By: Rex

Rex — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:04:50 +0000

The match-up of the tournament (to this point) comes next wed. Pachuca at Houston. The Dynamo are coming off a huge win vs Arabe Unido and 8 days rest. It will be the 6th game between the two in since 2007. I can’t wait.

By: Saprissista

Saprissista — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:15:01 +0000

The Islanders dominated both Cruz Azul (1st half only) and Saprissa and almost got 3 points against both…