Galaxy means the world to maligned MLS

[AreliusIII]

10:54 PM PST on Friday, February 17, 2006
Luis Bueno

Few will argue that the United States national team has progressed a great deal over the past decade; the team's quarterfinal finish in World Cup 2002 will attest to that.

The same cannot be said for Major League Soccer. In the world of international soccer, MLS has a long way to go.

The road to global respect, though, begins Thursday. The Galaxy, defending MLS champion, will host Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica in a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal.

Each year, the top teams from around the region compete for the regional club championship. Historically, however, MLS teams have not fared well at all.

A year ago, then-MLS champ D. C. United got past a weak Jamaican side but then got whipped by Mexican club Pumas, which won on a 6-1 aggregate. The league's other entrant a year ago, the Kansas City Wizards, had Saprissa on the ropes but let in a pair of late goals in a hostile road environment and lost on a 2-1 aggregate.

Neither the Galaxy nor fellow MLS participant New England can afford such mistakes if MLS is to gain respect from supporters of other leagues.

Seemingly few outside our borders follow MLS and an even smaller number fear MLS clubs. And why should they? MLS clubs have won the tournament just twice, the last being the Galaxy in 2001.

The tournament winner will advance to the World Club Championship, and what greater way for MLS to arrive at the world stage than competing in this event?

In MLS, the Galaxy is a strong side. Led by Landon Donovan, the team boasts a talented roster that achieved unrivaled success in American soccer a year ago. But just how much weight that carries internationally will be evident Thursday.

[prk166]

In a way I hope they do well but in a way I don't care. I'm more worried about the league just staying afloat in a very crowded market for sports in America.

[Jose Luis Luviano]

Since they changed the format from when DCU & the Galaxy won this tournament, MLS teams are going to do about as well as Russian & Swedish teams do in the Champions League.

[Stucki]

Originally Posted by Jose Luis Luviano

Since they changed the format from when DCU & the Galaxy won this tournament, MLS teams are going to do about as well as Russian & Swedish teams do in the Champions League.

I remember that four teams from MLS used to get in. How was the format different then?

[Jose Luis Luviano]

They used to hold the tournament at one location (1997, it was DC, in 2001 it was LA, in 1999, Las Vegas).

In 1997, it was held in August when MLS teams were in Midseason form.

[BroncsBomber]

Fox Soccer channel is showing 3 games of the tourney this week. They won't be showing the rev's game but they will show the Saprissa and Galaxy game. 🕺

Soccer on Fox Soccer Channel
February 20 - February 26, 2006
Day Date Competition Home Visitor Kickoff (ET)
Wed. Feb 22 Champions Cup-1/4 Final CD Olimpia (Hon) CD Toluca (Mex) 7:30 p.m.
Wed. Feb 22 Champions Cup-1/4 Final Portmore Utd. (Jam) Club America (Mex) 9:30 p.m.
Thu. Feb 23 Champions Cup-1/4 Final L.A. Galaxy (USA) Saprissa (Costa Rica) 11 p.m.