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| Would a pan-American Champions League benefit soccer in the US? | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| When news emerged of an “Americas Champions League” a few weeks ago, fans were understandably excited. The imagery alone is quite enticing: imagine a raucous crowd at Century Link Field as the Seattle Sounders prepare to take on a Boca Juniors side led by Carlos Tevez. | When news emerged of an “Americas Champions League” a few weeks ago, fans were understandably excited. The imagery alone is quite enticing: imagine a raucous crowd at Century Link Field as the Seattle Sounders prepare to take on a Boca Juniors side led by Carlos Tevez. |
| Related: Jürgen Klinsmann blaming everyone but himself as USA founder | Related: Jürgen Klinsmann blaming everyone but himself as USA founder |
| This scenario – of high-pressure, inter-continental fixtures played across the region – may seem a pipe dream. But if Miami City FC owner and media mogul Riccardo Silva has his way it could become reality sooner than later. | This scenario – of high-pressure, inter-continental fixtures played across the region – may seem a pipe dream. But if Miami City FC owner and media mogul Riccardo Silva has his way it could become reality sooner than later. |
| Silva and his team are pushing forward plans for 64-team competition that could raise $440m in television and marketing rights, completely dwarfing the current annual revenue gained for the Concacaf Champions League and Copa Libertadores combined. But as appealing as the prospect is, questions about its prudence for US Soccer in this state and time are necessary. | Silva and his team are pushing forward plans for 64-team competition that could raise $440m in television and marketing rights, completely dwarfing the current annual revenue gained for the Concacaf Champions League and Copa Libertadores combined. But as appealing as the prospect is, questions about its prudence for US Soccer in this state and time are necessary. |
| According to a document provided by MP & Silva, the media rights company that Riccardo Silva heads, the ACL has a three specific goals: | According to a document provided by MP & Silva, the media rights company that Riccardo Silva heads, the ACL has a three specific goals: |
| Frankly, the creation of such a tournament benefits MLS above all. The Copa Libertadores is a highly regarded tournament in its own right, with a storied history, and already has the drama, prestige and rivalries that ACL would one day hope to achieve. So what’s the incentive for South American clubs? | Frankly, the creation of such a tournament benefits MLS above all. The Copa Libertadores is a highly regarded tournament in its own right, with a storied history, and already has the drama, prestige and rivalries that ACL would one day hope to achieve. So what’s the incentive for South American clubs? |
| According to Silva, this is where the marriage of federations makes sense. South and Central American soccer holds the prestige and history that the US is pining for. Their teams and tournaments have been built organically, and maintain a high level of respect internationally, even if they have fallen behind the European game. | According to Silva, this is where the marriage of federations makes sense. South and Central American soccer holds the prestige and history that the US is pining for. Their teams and tournaments have been built organically, and maintain a high level of respect internationally, even if they have fallen behind the European game. |
| American soccer, at least on a global stage is still treated like somewhat of a sideshow. Europeans deride MLS for a lack of promotion and relegation and the term “retirement league” still reverberates. This best-of-both-worlds scenario should give South American soccer the marketing and exposure it needs while essentially fast-tracking the MLS clubs to legitimacy. | American soccer, at least on a global stage is still treated like somewhat of a sideshow. Europeans deride MLS for a lack of promotion and relegation and the term “retirement league” still reverberates. This best-of-both-worlds scenario should give South American soccer the marketing and exposure it needs while essentially fast-tracking the MLS clubs to legitimacy. |
| In the long term, the tournament aims to replicate what occurs in Europe. While even the most optimistic fan shouldn’t expect ACL to compete with the Champions League, there is a scenario where it could begin the decentralization process away from Europe. It’s essentially two federations teaming up to make a dent in the behemoth that is Uefa. | In the long term, the tournament aims to replicate what occurs in Europe. While even the most optimistic fan shouldn’t expect ACL to compete with the Champions League, there is a scenario where it could begin the decentralization process away from Europe. It’s essentially two federations teaming up to make a dent in the behemoth that is Uefa. |
| But is it realistic to expect South American clubs to collectively decide to end the Copa Libertadores and bank on this new project? What about logistics? Travel alone would be far too onerous for the clubs involved. A matchup between Nacional (Uruguay) and the Vancouver Whitecaps, for example, would require over 20 + hours of travel time each way. Another issue is competition: under the formation of the ACL, MLS teams will likely be put out to slaughter. Currently MLS teams barely make an impact in the CCL against mid-tier teams from the rest of North and Central America. What’s going to happen when they take on the likes of Boca Juniors and Corinthians? | But is it realistic to expect South American clubs to collectively decide to end the Copa Libertadores and bank on this new project? What about logistics? Travel alone would be far too onerous for the clubs involved. A matchup between Nacional (Uruguay) and the Vancouver Whitecaps, for example, would require over 20 + hours of travel time each way. Another issue is competition: under the formation of the ACL, MLS teams will likely be put out to slaughter. Currently MLS teams barely make an impact in the CCL against mid-tier teams from the rest of North and Central America. What’s going to happen when they take on the likes of Boca Juniors and Corinthians? |
| According to reports, there is no immediate timetable for the tournament, but MP & Silva has already begun laying the groundwork. The company has received pledges from Brazilian clubs Flamengo and Corinthians, in addition to many of South America’s largest clubs, and also enlisted the services of Paul Tagliabue, the no-nonsense former NFL commissioner to offer his expertise in future meetings with US Soccer, MLS and Liga MX. | According to reports, there is no immediate timetable for the tournament, but MP & Silva has already begun laying the groundwork. The company has received pledges from Brazilian clubs Flamengo and Corinthians, in addition to many of South America’s largest clubs, and also enlisted the services of Paul Tagliabue, the no-nonsense former NFL commissioner to offer his expertise in future meetings with US Soccer, MLS and Liga MX. |
| US Soccer has an identity crisis, one that’s been exacerbated in the past week. The losses to Mexico and Costa Rica have left many fans wondering why despite the growth of the sport over the past 20 years, the national team seemed to produce far better players in the past. Jürgen Klinsmann was brought in as coach and technical director with promises of revamping the system and while he’s made an impact, many are unsatisfied. | US Soccer has an identity crisis, one that’s been exacerbated in the past week. The losses to Mexico and Costa Rica have left many fans wondering why despite the growth of the sport over the past 20 years, the national team seemed to produce far better players in the past. Jürgen Klinsmann was brought in as coach and technical director with promises of revamping the system and while he’s made an impact, many are unsatisfied. |
| But American soccer has a core problems that neither Klinsmann or Sunil Gulati can solve: a pay-to-play system that largely limits the available soccer talent pool, the dearth of qualified coaches at every level, and college soccer’s draining effect on a player’s development cycle. These are the issues that need re-evaluation and solving, not the creation of even more elaborate tournaments. | But American soccer has a core problems that neither Klinsmann or Sunil Gulati can solve: a pay-to-play system that largely limits the available soccer talent pool, the dearth of qualified coaches at every level, and college soccer’s draining effect on a player’s development cycle. These are the issues that need re-evaluation and solving, not the creation of even more elaborate tournaments. |
| An Americas Champions League would undoubtedly raise the stature of the game across the country but the timing is off. The focus should be on a more grassroots level; instead of attempting to beautify the exterior, they should fix the foundation. Only then should US Soccer divert their resources to these grandiose ideas. There’s no need to attempt to solve problems that don’t currently exist, in lieu of serious ones that do. | An Americas Champions League would undoubtedly raise the stature of the game across the country but the timing is off. The focus should be on a more grassroots level; instead of attempting to beautify the exterior, they should fix the foundation. Only then should US Soccer divert their resources to these grandiose ideas. There’s no need to attempt to solve problems that don’t currently exist, in lieu of serious ones that do. |
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