MLS and the Copa Libertadores Question

By: Christian | April 13th, 2008

Copa Libertadores

With the elimination of D.C. United and the Houston Dynamo in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals for the second straight year, the questions have been flowing all week on what is needed for an MLS club to not only win the regional championship for the first time since 2000, but perhaps more importantly, to represent the league in the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.

While MLS has steadily improved its on-field performance at home, the league continues to struggle internationally. But despite the results, it’s fair to say that one of the league’s main objectives is to join into the second most prestigious club competition in the world, South America’s Copa Libertadores. But the question is, does MLS deserve it?

On paper the prospect is mouth-watering. Just imagine seeing a Dynamo, DC United, or Chivas USA squad playing meaningful ties against such storied clubs as Boca Juniors, Flamengo, or Santos. Not only would fans have the opportunity to see such dramatic fixtures at home, but the experience for teams to travel throughout South America to face quality opposition would provide invaluable experience. No doubt the supporters here would welcome it; just go to any MLS forum on Big Soccer to read a multitude of threads asking the question, how would MLS compete in “X” league, and the comments generally seem to think that MLS could hold its own.

Yet at the risk of sounding like a liberal pundit, what is good for the U.S. is not necessarily good for the rest of the world. It’s unlikely teams from South America being up for flying 13 hours for a mid-week tie against the New England Revolution in the middle of a frigid winter (remember that the tournament’s preliminary round begins in January). And considering how some clubs in MLS struggle to fill seats during the regular season, it’s hard to imagine fans coming in droves to see such mid-tier teams like Audax Italiano or Cuenca in the snow.

Possible setbacks such as the weather, stadium scheduling conflicts, and pre-season fitness however would be moot when compared to the almighty dollar. If the league and its marketing arm SUM can convince CONMEBOL to the monetary value in having MLS clubs compete, you can rest assured it will happen. And considering the trends in world football, it is not longer inconceivable to imagine the US playing outside it’s confederation. Mexico have participated in the tournament for 10 years, with Cruz Azul only losing the final in 2001 on penalties, and in recent weeks Atlas and Club América have notched wins against Boca and River Plate, respectively. The BPL will most certainly continue its “39th game” plan to play official Premiership matches overseas. In a few weeks a Welsh club will play in the final of the English FA Cup. And in Europe, the rumors of a Super League grow year after year.

If MLS really wants to have its teams compete in South America, the perfect option for the moment would be the Copa Sudamericana, CONMEBOL’s equivalent to the UEFA Cup, in which D.C. United have already participated. Not only do you get to see some of same big name clubs as in the Copa Libertadores (unlike Europe, clubs can qualify directly into both cups in the same year), but the greatest advantage will be that MLS clubs will be in mid-season form. It must be noted, though, that the final takes place near MLS Cup.

Clearly the league is desperate to raise its image worldwide from one of contempt and indifference to acceptance and respect, but a move too soon into the Copa might not be the best way to go about it. Though it improves year by year, MLS needs to compete in its own region on a yearly basis before it can hope to take on the rigors of South American football.

What do you think? Does MLS deserve a spot in the Copa Libertadores?