A new chapter in the soccer rivalry between the USA and Mexico began Saturday, when dignitaries from both countries were present to announce SuperLiga, the new tournament between teams from Major League Soccer and Mexico's Primera Division.
Eight clubs -- four each from MLS and the Primera Division -- will take part in the inaugural competition this year, with a group phase to be followed by a knockout phase between July 24 and August 29. MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Primera Division head Decio de Maria, U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati and his Mexican counterpart, Justino Compeán, all took part in the unveiling of the tournament's logo and opening round schedule at The Home Depot Center.
Fernando Fiore of Univision's Republica Deportiva was the master of ceremonies, enthusiastically proclaiming "this will be the greatest tournament in North America."
The four MLS squads taking part in the inaugural tournament are four-time champion D.C. United, two-time champion Los Angeles Galaxy, last year's winner Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas, while the Mexican squads participating are 10-time champion Club América, current champion Club Deportivo Guadalajara, Copa Sudamericana champion Pachuca and Monarcas Morelia as the final entry.
Los Angeles Galaxy player Pete Vagenas was pleased at the announcement.
"It's always been something that we've watched around the world in admiration, when all the best teams from around the world get together and play each other," said the midfielder. "You always wonder who is the champion of North America, and I think this tournament provides that."
Though the first edition of SuperLiga was set up by invitation to specific teams, qualification will determine future SuperLiga berths. A $1 million prize has been set for the winning club.
"Next year, it will be a qualifying process that will be balanced," said Garber. "That's going to be an incentive for them to play harder and make every regular season game count, because they've got to win those games to reach what will be a very valuable tournament."
Though both D.C. United and the L.A. Galaxy have won international trophies, most notably the CONCACAF Champions Cup, MLS squads have struggled in recent years partly because important games in the regional championship take place during MLS preseason. Most players are not in form that early on.
SuperLiga, by contrast, will take place in July, with all the games scheduled this year for U.S. sites. Mexico will host in upcoming years.
Club América coach Luis Fernando Tena praised the vision behind the idea, envisioning a scenario where his club's star, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, would lead the team in a match against David Beckham and the Galaxy.
"MLS has grown a lot," Tena said. "I think this is a great opportunity for our clubs as well, to earn international sporting glory and to win a trophy that counts."
Los Angeles Galaxy manager Frank Yallop agreed the tournament will make games between clubs from the two countries more meaningful.
"I think this ups the level completely. Usually, when we play a Mexican team, it's a friendly. I'm trying to rest players or try guys out," Yallop said. "Now it's actually competition. I think our players will really enjoy that."
The chance to display the talent of the region was also a reason for staging SuperLiga.
"I think North America is a real soccer continent, though overseas, they don't look at us that way," Garber said. "These events, and player signings like David Beckham, and our new stadiums, are part of the process to be able to stand toe-to-toe with the rest of the world in this great sport."
Andrea Canales is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
SuperLiga 2007 teams and groups:
Group A |
Group B |
|---|---|
CD Guadalajara (México) |
Club América (México) |
FC Dallas (MLS) |
D.C. United (MLS) |
Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) |
Houston Dynamo (MLS) |
CF Pachuca (México) |
Monarcas Morelia (México) |
SuperLiga 2007 Schedule
(All Times Eastern) / Subject to change
Tuesday, July 24
FC Dallas vs. Pachuca (Pizza Hut Park - Frisco, TX) 9 p.m.
LA Galaxy vs. CD Guadalajara (Home Depot Center - Carson, CA) 11 p.m.
Wednesday, July 25
D.C. United vs. Monarcas Morelia (RFK Stadium - Washington D.C.) 8 p.m.
Houston Dynamo vs. América (Robertson Stadium - Houston, TX) 10 p.m.
Saturday, July 28
FC Dallas vs. CD Guadalajara (Pizza Hut Park - Frisco, TX) 8:00 p.m.
LA Galaxy vs. Pachuca (TBD) 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 29
D.C. United vs. América (RFK Stadium - Washington, DC) 8:00 p.m.
Houston Dynamo vs. Morelia (Robertson Stadium - Houston, TX) 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday, July 31
FC Dallas vs. LA Galaxy (Pizza Hut Park - Frisco, TX) 8:00 p.m.
CD Guadalajara vs. Pachuca (Dick's Sporting Goods Park - Denver, CO) 10:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 1
D.C. United vs. Houston Dynamo (RFK Stadium - Washington D.C.) 8:00 p.m.
América vs. Morelia (Toyota Park - Bridgeview, IL) 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 14
Semifinal 1 (TBD)
Wednesday, Aug. 15
Semifinal 2 (TBD)
Wednesday, Aug. 29
Final (TBD)
