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Posted by
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February 10, 2013 |
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Aaron Nielsen
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@ENBSports
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February 13th will be the start of the proper group stage for the 2013 Copa Libertadores. The equivalent to the Champions League in Europe, the Libertadores includes clubs throughout South America and Mexico, and in terms of watching games I find it to be one of, if not, the most entertaining yearly tournaments in the world. It has also become very well respected on the soccer calendar, gaining audiences around the world and many South American players who end up playing in Europe do so because they excel in this tournament.
The tournament is usually dominated by clubs in Brazil and Argentina, but clubs from Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay and Ecuador have done well over the past decade. For the 2013 tournament the Brazilian Clubs should be favorites while featuring players such as Ronaldinho (Atletico Mineiro), Pato (Corinthians), Fred (Fluminense) and Gremio with Elano and Ze Roberto. Although you can never count out Argentina's Boca Juniors, Chile's Universidad de Chile or Uruguay's Penarol. This list of teams and players is the reason I write this article, as I believe one of Major League Soccer's most important mandates should be trying to be included in future Copa Libertadores tournaments.
The South America Football Confederation invited Mexico into the tournament in 1998 primarily to gain more sponsorship and television coverage. Although the Mexican clubs struggled when they first entered the tournament, it is now a great success for the tournament as Mexican games now provide large attendances, television numbers and Mexican companies such as TelMex have been major sponsors in the tournament. Inclusion of MLS clubs could provide the same benefit especially when it comes to potential advertising dollars.
Yes, MLS teams with their current salary cap could find themselves in a competitive disadvantage to the larger South American clubs, although the tournament includes clubs from Venuzuala, Peru, and Bolivia, who operate on much smaller budgets. Realistically, if we regard ourselves as a professional league, we should be competitive with clubs in Mexico, Colombia, Uruguay, Ecuador and Paraguay. While home matches against Argentina and Brazilian clubs would be a big draw, if a competitive match between LA Galaxy/Boca Juniors game doesn't generate a large national television audience then nothing will.
Which brings up a very important question for MLS fans - are we fine supporting what we have, or do we want our clubs to compete with the best? Toronto FC did lose 6-2 to Santos Laguna in Mexico during the CONCACAF Champions League in 2012, but I would argue those games with Santos Laguna, and beating LA Galaxy in the previous round, were the most significant games in the club's history.
I also remember Eddy Berdusco's goal in 1994 as Canada tied Brazil 1-1 in a game that probably got me more interested in the game of soccer than anything else. It's these dramatic almost impossible moments that define a sports club. Unfortunately MLS, with its planned parity, makes these experiences almost non-existent, although I believe a Copa Libertadores run could change that.
As North American soccer fans we should demand the most exciting fixtures as possible. While having friendlies against major clubs around the world is interesting, it does not provide the same product or excitement as competitive games. Inclusion into the Copa Libertadores would provide the league these opportunities and how we eventually progress in that tournament could define who we are as a league on the world soccer map.
Aaron Nielsen has worked within the soccer/sports industry for over 15 years. His statistical analysis brings the beautiful game in a whole new light. The detailed player data and prospect lists he produces are used by many scouts, agents, and football insiders around the world.
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