Comments on: Making the CONCACAF Champions League Work

By: EB

EB — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:34:40 +0000

Mr. Kartik:

you MUST have written this to incite the responses. There is NO logic to your system. Stupid article.

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 15 May 2009 22:55:02 +0000

But this all speaks to a larger issue: As long as it continues to operate as a closed, unregulated monopoly, then the USSF has absolutely no right to sanction it as the country’s only first division league. As recently as 2002 the Supreme Court has made it very clear that it has no intention of ever enforcing the Sherman Anti-trust Act as it pertains to professional sports, and in fact has acted as the chief accessory to their further sodomy of American law, their weak-kneed excuse being, on the occasion that they actually feel obliged to give one, that it is still theoretically possible to create a competing league. But in this case there is not even that recourse. The USSF has made itself clear that it has no intention of ever sanctioning a second first division league. Is there any ambiguity left to hide behind in this case? By ensuring that the MLS remains free from any serious competition, and by apportioning it three of America’s four berths in the Concacaf Champion’s League and none to the only league in the United States that actually shows any interest in the tournament, the USSF clearly and unambiguously is in violation of American anti-trust law!

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 15 May 2009 22:29:12 +0000

Also, if it weren’t for those second division teams, there wouldn’t have been anything compelling about the tournament in the first place. USL sides actually care about the competition. If anything, give them all of MLS’s berths.

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 15 May 2009 22:27:20 +0000

“That’s like living in Spain or England and showing no interest in the Serie A.”

Not even Italians care about Serie A, as evidenced by its woeful attendance numbers. That is because it is a garbage league, even if it offers one of the highest levels of play anywhere in the world. It is everything English football was in the 1980’s and more; jaundiced, crumbling stadiums filled to half capacity playing host to games whose outcomes more likely than not have already been decided.

By: dude

dude — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:38:29 +0000

So Mexian clubs are more than twice superior to MLS, and you didn’t even think of USL clubs? Right now, Mexican clubs are superior, I won’t deny that, but they are also older, and the quality US soccer is steadily rising. Yes, this tournament is a joke. But comparing us to Panama and Honduras? Wow, you’ve lost it Kartik.

ps. Think Mexican fans are looking for any opportunity to claim dominance because their national team is now a joke.

By: Mexican Football

Mexican Football — Fri, 15 May 2009 20:37:50 +0000

Cleartheball: Football is The Beautiful Game, not The Bruising Game. If you want tackling, go watch Rugby. A-RET said it better than I can. He shot you down pretty good.

The payoff for the CCL is the CWC where you can earn alot of $$$. And stop with the preseason excuses. 13 European leagues play Spring-to-Fall, are they complaining about the UEFA CL? No, they’re not.

Jeff and Max are right. That league should just drop out.

Haha, Berlin! I’d rep you if I could.

By: Berlin

Berlin — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:05:11 +0000

Great idea on the All-Stars v. All-Stars! Sign me up. I’ll actually watch. I’ll actually care. It’ll be the only all-star game I watch all year. However, the game can only be played in Columbus or Alaska.

By: Max

Max — Fri, 15 May 2009 18:33:26 +0000

MLS is lucky to even keep three spots under your formula based on performance.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:52:30 +0000

Honestly, MLS should either commit to taking this tournament seriously or drop out entirely giving the US spots to USL. The league should be embarrassed by last year’s performance instead of making excuses or pretending it did not happen. American soccer fans refuse to shame them into it by parroting the same exact stupid excuses about fixture congestion, pre-season, et.

I agree with your assessment of the Open Cup. It’s a sham cup. So much potential but currently a total sham.

By: A-RET

A-RET — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:34:53 +0000

Clear the Ball,

I respect your passion for MLS but if you think MLS teams would win the majority of neutral site midseason clashes against Mexican opposition you’re living in a fools paradise.

Yes MLS is more physical, in fact alot of times the league crosses the line where a lack of technical skill or tactical savvy by the players and coaches is made up for with reckless fouling and hacking. The FMF is more graceful and more technical. I see more bad giveaways in one MLS or USL game than in the entire weekend of FMF action.

I’m American and want MLS, USL and the PDL to all succeed. I go to West Mass USL-2 games when I can. But to pretend the MLS is even remotely on the same level as the Mexican League opens you up for ridicule. I like Kartik hate the comparisons MLS fans make with other leagues to make them feel good. Support the league because it’s our league in our country but stop pretending its some sort of super league.

Brad Feldman and Greg Lalas should be ashamed of themselves for their commentary during Revs telecasts. It’s impossible to take those guys seriously the way they talk about MLS.