Soccer 24-7 Blog

MLS clubs should give a damn about CONCACAF Champions' League

by Max Power

It doesn't pay to win, but that's not why we play.

It's often been said that clubs from Major League Soccer don't put enough effort into external competitions such as the US Open Cup or the CONCACAF Champions' League. But they should care about a fledging competition, because the MLS was once, and to some extend still is, a fledging competition. Therefore, they should give a damn.

We all know why these competitions are played...for money, and to a lesser extent...for pride. But, I think the MLS and the United States Soccer Foundation should look at it from another angle, playing against our regional competition will help our national product tenfold. If we look at the European model, those teams are playing against the best competition available. Instead of playing a defensive Stoke or Wolverhampton, they are playing an explosive Barcelona or tactically smart Inter Milan. In the same light, MLS club would be playing against skillful Mexican clubs and physically tough and emotionally draining Saprissa.

Case in point, the Puerto Rico Islanders play in (at the time of competition) the USL first division. They fared well in their respective league, but they were a revelation when they played the top teams of the region. They eventually lost in the semi final but went on to play in USL final against Vancouver. It was a test of skill, depth and mettle of the club and they past the test with flying colors.

I have full faith in the MLS. Since the birth of the league, and my personal love for the game has grown, the league has been been growing. Even a decade ago, the league was on life support and a couple of the teams had to be folded; but as Forbes Magazine reports, 3 of the 16 clubs operated with a profit. However, this is all changing. As the fan base grows for each team, the clubs are moving into smaller, soccer specific stadia which relieve the team's balance book of expensive rent. They now own property outside of markets that are growing. I believe within 5 years, the number of clubs operating in the black will double, if not triple.

If the MLS teams are able to field competitive squads in CONCACAF Champions' League, they may be able to beat their Mexican counter parts, who have up until now, dominated the competition and went on to play in the FIFA Club World Cup. I'm not saying our boys will be able to beat the FC Barcelona or Boca Junior clubs of UEFA or CONMEBOL Libertadores, but the prize money is available. Even if they finish last, they still stand to earn $500,000.

But, today my argument is not about the financial benefit of participating in these competitions, but the sheer experience of playing against the best competition of our region and perhaps the best competition in the world. The subsequent money will roll in with increased interest in the league. People in England, Germany and Russia will be interested in where all these American players are coming from and how they're able to beat a strong Spanish team in a Confederations Cup or why their next defensive prospect is currently playing for a Real Salt Lake or Chicago Fire. If we can improve our game, the product will produce the results and that will produce the money to go out and do it again next year.