Through two days of SuperLiga, MLS clubs have held their own. MLS sides are 2-0-2 against their Mexican counterparts and Houston pretty much had their way with Club America on Wednesday.
But it's far too early for anyone to draw any conclusions about the strength of MLS compared to the Mexican league.
These games have been highly entertaining and MLS teams seem determined to show well but four games into this tournament is too early to say anything conclusive.
As one reader pointed out here, these results shouldn't have been too surprising. DC United and Houston each hosted a Mexican club in a meaningful match earlier this year and came away with nearly identical results on Wednesday. DC tied Chivas 1-1 while Houston beat Pachuca 2-0 in March; on Wednesday DC tied Morelia 1-1 while Houston beat America 1-0.
This tournament appears like it will produce some quality and entertaining soccer matches and hopefully the foundation will be laid for future editions that feature games in Mexico. In order for the tournament to be somewhat conclusive regarding the league's strength, then the parameters must be as level as possible; that means the clubs must face as many of the same conditions as possible, which includes traveling and playing as an away team.
And just like the CONCACAF Champions Cup comes during the MLS teams' preseason, SuperLiga comes during the Mexican teams' preseason and those factors will remain unchanged so long as MLS' calendar remains unchanged.
For now, quality soccer and hard-fought games are setting the tone for SuperLiga and that's not a bad thing.
4 comments:
I wonder how viable the tournament will be if only the MLS teams pass through to the second round.
I thought the Chivas/FC Dallas game was highly entertaining. Also saw the 2nd half of DC United/Morelia and 1st half of Houston/America which were o.k. The level of officiating stinks, especially the obvious handball goal that Chivas scored on. Overall it appears that the teams are putting a lot of effort into these games.
There is no denying that the quality of MLS is improving fast, the only thing that I'm wondering is how accurate this games will be considering that all mexican teams are in preseason mode and they are not in form and look rusty unlike MLS which in midseason. It will be good to see them play but all with the same rythm to know where MLS stands
Remember Sergio that during the Champions Cup MLS is in preseason. I just hope next year when the Mexican Teams win; the toon changes from we dominated to we understand they are in preseason.
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