MLS: Tired of disrespectful clichés? Beat the Mexican clubs

MLS has grown into a strong league domestically, but it won’t get the respect it deserves until MLS clubs dominate internationally.

It does not matter what player they bring and how they perform, MLS seems to be in an eternal state of disapproval from the international community. The views towards the North American league are still unfavorable even as MLS stadiums are graced weekly by the likes of Robbie Keane, Didier Drogba, Kaká and Giovani dos Santos.

The latest dig at MLS was delivered by Italian coach Antonio Conte, who left Andrea Pirlo and Sebastian Giovinco out of his Euro 2016 squad because they play in MLS.

“When you make a certain choice and go to play in certain leagues, you do so taking it into account that they could pay the consequences from a footballing viewpoint,” Conte said at a news conference on last Tuesday, when he named his provisional 30-man squad for the European tournament.

Pirlo’s case is certainly understandable as the 37-year-old veteran hasn’t necessarily dominated since joining New York City FC. Giovinco, however, is a different story. The Italian midfielder energized Toronto FC with 22 goals and 16 assists last season and kept his form going in 2016 with eight goals before suffering an abductor injury. Still, his achievements were overlooked because they happened in American and Canadian soccer fields.

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MLS didn’t directly respond to Conte’s comments, though Simon Borg, Editor-in-Chief of the league’s official website, offered his take in the matter, arguing that the statement by the Italian manager “is an ignorant move, a gratuitous dig and the perpetuation of a tired soccer cliché.”

And while it may be so, the fact remains: MLS is perceived as a low-level league that simply can’t compare to its international counterparts. If having players like David Villa and Steven Gerrard hasn’t helped eradicate that perception, what will?

Maybe this: MLS clubs could try winning something outside the MLS bubble.

Up to this point, MLS teams have been unsuccessful in dominating international competition, which is, basically, the CONCACAF Champions League.

In his piece, Borg says that having no regular international competitions other than the Concachampions doesn’t help to change the perception of the league. Still, with that one tournament available, shouldn’t they be focusing on winning it?

MLS clubs would probably be dominating the region already if it wasn’t for the Mexican clubs that keep winning the tournament and getting a chance to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup. Imagine if MLS clubs had that chance? Imagine being able to test your team against the likes of Barcelona or Independiente in a tournament that actually matters? People outside North America would certainly pay attention to that, especially if guys like Villa are representing the MLS side.

One of the main problems MLS faces in Concachampions (besides those pesky Mexican clubs) is the schedule. MLS clubs are in preseason by the time they have to play the tournament’s quarterfinal round. It hurts a lot and it was proven earlier this year when they were all soundly defeated by their Mexican counterparts. Santos Laguna was particularly merciless against the five-time MLS Champion LA Galaxy, beating them 4-0 at home. If results like that continue to happen to the league’s best teams, comments like the ones from Conte will only keep on coming.

The incentive of winning the Champions League is not there yet for MLS clubs, who are too focused trying to win MLS Cup. The MLS roster sizes and the salaries needed to beat the Mexican clubs are apparently not there yet either. That needs to change.

If MLS’ goal is to be one of the best leagues around the world, which they want to achieve by 2022, MLS Cup cannot be the most important prize. MLS executives need to think bigger for the cliché digs to stop and the perception to change. MLS clubs need to put their priorities on the CONCACAF Champions League, and then, on the Club World Cup. Why? Because it matters to the rest of the world and it’s time for MLS to realize that soccer is an international sport.

Next: Is Grealla the best dribbler in MLS?

This year MLS will be represented by the New York Red Bulls, FC Dallas, Sporting Kansas City, Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps. It will be up to them to make the kind of history that eliminates wrong opinions.

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MLS: Tired of disrespectful clichés? Beat Mexican clubs in CONCACAF Champions League

By Edgar Acero | May 31, 2016

MLS has grown into a strong league domestically, but it won’t get the respect it deserves until MLS clubs dominate internationally.

More from Playing for 90