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Thanks to Arch Bell (@archbell) for coming on the podcast! Discussion on World Cup group B, ConcaChampions and more!
The panel the continued discussion on Chivas and their chances vs Toronto. How roles have reversed as the “big” LigaMX team, Chivas, is now the underdog vs the MLS rival.
Thanks for listening! Credit to Tom Marshall for the thumbnail.
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We are back after a week break. We talk the Liguilla scenario and how tight the race is to get into the LigaMX cup tourney. We talked a potential Tigres double failure, Pachuca and Chucky flying high as CONCACAF Champion. We even talked how Atlas is making all the surprises by going into Liguilla near top of table.
We also talk Pelaez and the Club America situation, where he will end up and what is the future for the Club. It should be an exciting Final Jornada. Enjoy and thanks for listening.
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Much like the leaves that molt on the Texas Live Oaks this time of year, out come same the articles dissecting the latest MLS failures in the CONCACAF champions League. Most of them offer the same laundry list of excuses year-to-year. The calendar doesn’t favor MLS teams, most of the teams are in Pre-season, the salary cap prevents teams from filling out their roster with quality players from top to bottom, they are not going to go all out and risk injury with a whole season to play…. The excuses are understandable. But it does not explain their performances.
I get it. It is not the best time of year for MLS sides to play a highly competitive match against a quality opponent. It is a problem. Moreso because the hurdles that MLS has to clear in order for them to achieve success have been placed by MLS themselves. The league starts in the Spring so as not to compete with a crowded sports calendar and avoid playing in the harsh winters of the northern franchises. The collective bargaining agreement with the players union sets the terms for pre-season training. None of the the teams that are still in the CCL get a pass to start earlier, so there they are floundering away, if they manage to get that far in the first place. Read more
Queretaro, playing at home defeated DC United 2-0 with goals from Candelo and Benitez. In a game that wasn’t as exciting as one would hope, it ended with a bang. Queretaro fans had reason to celebrate as the two goals came toward the end at the 70th and 83rd minute.
The America – Seattle game was a bit more exciting. It took place in Seattle’s Century Link field before what i believe was 40,000 fans approximately. Seattle has been a team with the loudest and most active Support groups in MLS. Although some might call them corny, you could hear their chants on the Univision broadcast toward the end of the game. The scoreline went back and forth and ended up in a 2-2 tie. Seattle demonstrated a weak back line that got beat on multiple occasions. On the opposite side, Seattle exposed America on set pieces, both occasions capitalized by Clint Dempsey.
It’s not over yet, return legs take place in March and will finalize the series winner and who will advance to the next round.
Heated competition between MLS and LigaMX teams is upon us. USA vs Mexico. The alleged retirement league vs a Mexican league riddled with mediocre South Americans. Most likely insults will be hurled on the field during this battle of pride. MLS has always fared poorly compared to their Mexican counterparts. Could this year be different?
Mexican-American, Hercules Gomez thinks that MLS can do it. Herc, of course, played in Mexico and beat MLS teams in this very tournament. He even got into heated smak talk and rough play with his American opponents. Now he is in MLS himself, although not in this years tournament. He is quoted as saying, “I hope they(MLS) smash them all” on the mlssoccer.com website. The MLS teams will certainly get their chance.
America vs Seattle Sounders
The Aguilas have been playing decent in LigaMX, but not necessarily lighting it up. They are still a very talented team and could end up causing big problems for Seattle. They may be without Dario Benedetto, one of their offensive players, as well as their starting goalkeeper, Moises Muñoz.
Seattle will have the services on new superstar Jordan Morris, who didn’t believe the “yo estoy en Europa y tu no” hype and signed with the MLS team. Dempsey is another player who could be a difference maker.
Queretaro vs DC United
Queretaro hasn’t been great of late. Look out for their goalkeeper, Tiago Volpi, who has been playing especially bad. On the bright side they do have newcomer, Carlos Fierro, who has been scoring goals since coming from Chivas. Emmanuel Vill will also have to step up.
DC United has always been a CCL contender. They have challenged many Mexican teams in the past, including Pumas and have even won the tournament once before in 1998.
Excuses
The reasoning for the results, be it bad or good, in this tournament is always interesting. For MLS, they are still in preseason form. Herc mentioned that injuries play a part in past MLS failures. Mexican altitude as well has been stated.
For LigaMX teams, Soccer is their sport, the US/MLS has baseball, pointy ball and basketball. There is no reason they should lose to MLS teams. LigaMX teams also have local Clausura tournament to think about. Do they have the roster to double up tournaments? Another reason LigaMX has the upper hand on MLS was mentioned in the same article by Hercules Gomez. LigaMX teams have more depth and talent. Herc says players 1-10 on MLS teams can play against any team in the world, but after that the talent level drops.
Tune in tonight for the start of some potentially entertaining and fiery Soccer.