There always is alot of mixed reaction to the importance of the Concacaf Champions League and MLS and to be fair this competition and it’s importance I don’t believe has been built up and educated to the general MLS fan.
Would love to see real regional coverage of this tournament with more local influence and education.
Most will point to winning the league as the most important trophy and it is hard to argue that point. Still, repeatedly not winning this tournament does not reflect well on MLS no matter how you condition or position it.
Yes this is not the European Champions League in so many ways but the fact is it is a road that provides the opportunity for an MLS team to get to the World Club Championship and get matched up with the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona or Real Madrid.
Fact is we don’t ever want with MLS to restrict our vision to only what is between our borders. The tournament provides challenges, needs to be more lucrative and needs to reward player, team and club success even more.
I for one am tired of Mexican clubs dominating this tournament and getting the right to represent the region. Results against foreign clubs is important for the maturity of MLS, credibility and growth.
Sample a few tweets that I have received on the subject of the importance of CCL:
@chesgovia CCL success very important gives club international exposure, makes bringing better players easier.
@gabe1234 Important to me because I want to show that MLS can compete with other top leagues.
@dwyercd Most important because it is our continental tournament.
@redOrangeKenny I don’t think it gets enough value. There is alot to be said about being champion of a continent.
@DeMeo;10 Only if and when the Timbers get there.
@kolbygabbert Very. I prefer watching MLS teams beat teams from other leagues over regular MLS matches.
@chezlefevre Is important for MLS to dominate in the long term and build style and reputation locally.
@revenant18 Only shot to have US clubs play South American, European heavyweights with something on the line. Priceless, sends message to Euro fans
Your thoughts? Twitter: GlennDavisSoc
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With the pathetic amount of Sports media coverage of MLS and Champions League, average sports fan doesn’t have a clue what it’s all about
Airwaves, print,electronic media dominated by NFL and College football, ad nauseum.
In jaded eye of MLS haters, will take MLS Club to breakthrough and go deep in World Club Championships to garner some respect.
Glenn, you raise some very good points about CCL. As you said coverage is a major issue, as is the emphasis on domestic trophy importance. I think another reason why CCL gets pushed to the back burner is because of scheduling. MLS is in the thick of the playoff push, around world cup qualifiers and other international matches. The general fan wants to see names they recognize and a team at full strength. That’s impossible to do from a coaching perspective when you play a game within the same week as important playoff games.
The MLS schedule has needed an update to accommodate international fixtures as well as CCL and the US Open Cup. Every now and then MLS will reschedule or cancel a game, as it did for the RSL vs Dynamo reserve match. That is a rare feat though. The league will continue to expand for the foreseeable future, but the importance of CCL games and the like won’t draw much attention until we see teams at full strength which will attract more media coverage.
Totally agree, Derek!!! I want my team full strength for MLS play off push first. Really wish the league would align its schedule better with the rest of the world. This current scheduling is stupid and counterporductive. Not to mention dangerous for the players.
If we want MLS to thrive we must think bigger, internationally and that is what this tournament provides.
We have not educated fans and potential fans about this tournament.
No team in Houston plays international competition and that is why tomorrow night against FAS is important.
Where will the Anglo media be? Nowhere in site.
Looking forwad to a final game at BBVA stadium against a Mex. team. that is what I hoping to see to crown the Concacaf champion. Some of my best memories as a Dynamo fan were those classic matches against. Pachuca.