It is time to breathe MLS fans. Learn some proper inhale and exhale exercises so you can begin to appreciate the run Montreal Impact had during the 2014-2015 CONCACAF Champions League tournament. The Impact hosted Liga MX side, Club America, in leg two of the CONCACAF Champions League Final in front of over 60,000 raucous fans. Though, when it came down to the decisive final 45 minutes of play, America was head and shoulders above the Impact. America scored four second half goals to win the match 5-3 on aggregate and book their spot in the Club World Cup.
As disappointing of a result as it was, we in the US Soccer Community need to realize that success in the CONCACAF Champions League will surely come but only with time and patience. Let’s not be so hast to smash the panic button. Let us not overlook the fact that Liga MX was founded in the 1940’s, while MLS just turned the ripe young age of 20. While Liga MX is collecting social security and living the good life of retirement, Major League Soccer can’t even legally drink yet. The screams of soccer pundits are loud and clear, that MLS must increase the salary cap or abolish it altogether. In an ideal world we’d love to see player compensation rise to significantly higher levels but congruently we don’t want to see a similar demise of the old North American Soccer League, now do we? Remember, the original NASL imploded thanks to fiscal irresponsibility.
Currently, MLS is financially sound and healthy but in the grand scheme of things it was just yesterday that the Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion both folded. And hell, it was less than a year ago that Chivas USA was still functioning, however dysfunctional as it may have been they were nevertheless an operating franchise. We still have teams in our league without soccer specific stadiums to call their own. If you’ve ever taken a business class in college, you no doubt understand the 7 growth phases of a business. MLS has only recently reached the “Established” stage. There is still room to grow and the league is just now beginning to recoup its investments having operated two decades with a deficit.
No different than a business, consider your own personal progression from a vehicle standpoint. Who goes from driving a Yugo to driving a Porsche? Before you jump into that Porsche, it is likely you will find yourself happily going from that Yugo to a 15 year old Toyota. Fifty-thousand miles later, you splurge for the shiny (new to you) 8 year old Honda. A couple of transmissions later, you finally have the financial clout to afford a “gently used” certified pre-owned vehicle. A few years later, you decide it is time plunk down the cash for your first brand new ride. It isn’t until you have worked a good generation or so before the luxury of a Porsche is within reach. Major League Soccer is no different. Quite frankly, the league isn’t at Porsche level yet. Enjoy the finer side of riding in the certified pre-owned vehicle MLS style.
Should MLS continue to progress at its current rate with additional expansion teams, higher attendance figures, more soccer specific stadiums, increased TV revenue and academies that are producing valuable assets, the higher revenues will come. Then and only then will we see MLS clubs competing and eventually dominating on a global stage.
I desperately want to see an MLS team win CONCACAF but not at the expense of overvaluing and eventually imploding our league. In the meantime, continue to support your local team, regularly attend matches, watch on TV, subscribe to MLS Live, post your fandom on Facebook and Twitter, support the US National Team, buy merchandise, and eventually we will be the dominant league in the region.
What’s Next?
After such an anti-climactic high and quick fall from grace, we as MLS fans can look forward to the next round of CCL play. In the 2015-2016 version of the tournament MLS will have Vancouver, DC, Seattle, LA, and Real Salt Lake representing the league. Maybe I am getting slightly ahead of myself but I honestly believe if Seattle makes the competition a top priority they could make a true run to the final. I could also see Vancouver being a surprise challenger. I do not envision DC United pulling off any miracles, and Real Salt Lake isn’t the type of squad that can make such a run anymore. The glory days at Rio Tinto Stadium are a thing of the past for now.
The Galaxy on the other hand may stand the strongest chance at pulling off a title run, as long as they ensure the tournament is a priority. The star power is always going to be in place, though it shouldn’t be taken for granted. The role players run rampant and maybe most important of all, the academy is producing true talent. Bruce understands how to tweak lineups and get the best out of his players. The Galaxy has won numerous MLS Cups and a Supporters Shield in recent years. If the club is seeking to ascend to new heights the CCL is the perfect challenge. Let’s hope Bruce & Company makes it the top priority. If so, the Galaxy stands the best chance to represent Major League Soccer in the Club World Cup.
What are your thoughts? Can any MLS team in this next CCL competition make a real run for the cup? If not, what does MLS need to do to ensure that it will sooner rather than later? Let me know your thoughts @mikecrosky on Twitter.
