Touching a nerve

I guess I pushed some people's buttons with my latest SI.com piece.

I wrote this column on the new CONCACAF Champions League last week for SI.com but the messages keep coming. Some of them have been positive but most haven't been. Some people are just sensitive. I guess that's my conclusion after this wave of responses.

In case you haven't read the column or don't want to click on the link, I wasn't very favorable towards the new tournament. I think it's a flawed tournament and I think it's unnecessary. But I do think it's got its good points as well. It will give the chance for some area clubs who don't get publicity or the chance to play against better-known clubs opportunities unseen in parts of this region. I think Chivas or America at some obscure Honduran club could be a good draw for the Central American side. But overall I think the negatives outgain the positives.

Here's just a sampling of the response I got (I'm saving some of the better ones for my next SI.com piece):

(This one just came in on Wednesday night, from some irate fan in D.C.; not sure how the national teams came into play)

You're an ass. Your contempt and lack of respect for the MLS is not too obvious. Look at the Super Liga results when the MLS teams were not in preseason. If it were not for some fortunate refereeing, the mexican teams would have been shut out completely. Oh, did I hear somebody whine about it being the Mexican preseason?? How does a league that has only been in existense for 11 years compete on par with the "mighty" mexican league? Are you feeling good about the 2-2 tie agianst the US? Got news for you. The first Mexico goal was offsides and the call on the Dempsey goal was crap. One more thing...2-0....bite me.

(Here's a pleasant succinct response, from some person in Alaska)

Bueno, you are an absolute idiot, go back to mexico.

(Note: I would, but I was born in Orange, California, so I suppose I should go back to the OC)

(This reader, from Baltimore, apparently felt I was too mean to the Guatemalan defense; I don't know, I'd call it a bit dead-on, considering Wednesday's result)

"This new tournament, though, has far more questions than answers and more holes than the Guatemalan national team's defense." -- Try to keep your derogatory comments for yourself.

(This reader, from Virginia Beach, actually put some thought into his response, unlike the Alaskan)

I'm pretty sure that you will offend some supporters of the MLS so let me give you credit for a good observation. While MLS has represented themselves well on "Friendlys" against European teams it has not collected any hardware since I don't know when (I just know it was the Galaxy a while back). We still don't know what the criteria for representing MLS in the Superliga but some how LA Galaxy will fit in. It is obvious that the goal of this tournament is more commercial than seeking a true champion of the region. With that said, how are the teams that will partake on the current championship format will do? I mean does it have any value of importance now that a bigger tournament with the same purpose will be played later year?

(And I get some support, from a reader in Dallas)

Nice article, I couldn't agree more! I think the big reason that MLS has so many spots is $$...CONCACAF has this tournament in mind (like most) with an eye towards what Mexico and the U.S. prefer. If you aren't one of those two countries then you're probably going to have any requests and hopes fall on deaf ear. I for one, really enjoyed the "Superliga" matches between Mexican sides and MLS sides and I thought the U.S. sides acquitted themselves nicely in that competition.

(But easily the best response comes from John, location unknown. John, your strength and courage in sending me this is admirable; I mean, it takes a man to send this type of response to someone)

Fuck off beaner.

(Some people take this stuff just a little too seriously)