MLS Power in the SCCL: Hey fans, is this finally our year?
As my fellow MLS fans understand, waiting for a Champions league trophy is nothing new. The closest we’ve ever gotten was the LA Galaxy, winning what was actually known as Concacaf Champions Cup, the regions tournament at the time.
When this time of the season comes around we look from the side of our eyes rather in full view. With normally five teams from the MLS, one Canadian and four American entering the tournament, these teams that make it have won trophies from their leagues and domestic tournaments last season. Some teams don’t get that luxury #theysuck #butstillafan. As a fan of the league (MLS) this has to be very important in domestic development, winning this competition will not only put one of our teams on the map, but also the league itself.
The question now - is it winnable this year?
Well, lets talk about the teams going to battle -
Houston Dynamo (USA), Sporting Kansas City (USA), Toronto FC (CAN), RBNY (USA) & Atlanta United (USA)
As a fan I’m going to get right to the point from top to bottom - no other way
Sporting Kansas City, just happen to be running into a wall, a red wall - Toluca (MEX) in the tournament have always made great runs. Yet being 17th in LIGA MX currently, classically being one of the best teams in LIGA MX, I’m sure they plan on bringing their best. Even with their placement, LIGA MX have brought on the best teams that this tournament has ever seen. Blue hell, might need to turn into blue heaven to take out The Los Diablos Rojos.
Houston, I’m really unsure about this about at this point. Cabrera, Head Coach, really has his work cut out for him. Personnel in terms of the team is slightly slim. Putting forth a fight is always possible. The Orange boys didn’t spend big to bring in reinforcements in the off season. Now the one advantage, they are playing CD Gustatouya (GUA). The Guatemalan league is normally dominated by one team throughout the years. This team is currently in 7th place right now. I am a preacher of the term, ‘you never know’, in this case it’s Houston’s 180 minutes to lose. After that, we’ll revisit and we’ll see.
Toronto FC lost a player that cannot be replaced in Giovinco. I’m not sure they’ve really filled that void. Playing any Panama club could present a hostile environment but nothing that Toronto are not use to, being the team that made a excellent run in 2018, losing to Chivas(MEX) in the final. The reds are not new to this. Will they take on the challenge and make it back to the FINAL?
Red bulls of New York, and I laugh while saying this - they are always so close. I’m not sure what goes wrong but they just can’t get it right. They always have the personnel to, lets be honest, win majors tournaments. Bradley Wright- Phillips, Aaron Long, filling the midfield after losing Tyler Adams - they always seem to be on top of it, but somehow never follow through. This first round they are playing a Club Atletico Pantoja (D.R.). Not a real test for them. Being the dominant team that they are, they really just need to show up. For a club like RBNY, winning this will put them in a position where fans can finally take them serious. My meaning on this, they’ve been the team every year before a season starts you’ll hear; they’ll make the playoffs and make a run - they won’t win the cup though. This has been me every year. Different thoughts this year?
And then there’s the the newly crowned Giants, Atlanta United. As a fan of their rivals I can put my purple pride aside and say, they could win this tournament. Simply put from a fan stand point, this team is very good - holds shape defensively and offensively, does things that defies what we’ve seen from the MLS - which at times can be boring but bearable. This team is truly strong even after losing Miguel Almiron, now at Newcastle United (ENG). Some of their moves didn’t made sense to me at the beginning on paper. Seeing their development in preseason, this is a team everyone should be afraid of. CD Herediano (CRC) is first on the chain, a talented team but #ATLUTD are truly just as maybe even more talented.
So...
Fans, I’m warning you - watch this years Scotia Concacaf Champions League closely. A regions development is just as important, not just for National Teams, but also for your club development that’s right down the street. I believe, for a club and for the fans, winning major tournaments will up the level of development for years to come. Ask the clubs in Mexico, completely dominating this tournament helps in many ways. Their confederation knows it, the teams know and it keeps the fans coming back for more.
This tournament should be very interesting. As always take care and follow your team -
Like a real fan/ A loyal fan