Major League Soccer and the Federación Mexicana de Fútbol today unveiled the participating teams, venues and schedule for the 2008 edition of SuperLiga. Building on the success of the inaugural tournament last year, SuperLiga again will award the most lucrative purse in North American soccer history to the winner. The tournament will begin Saturday, July 12 and the championship game is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5.
For the 2008 edition of SuperLiga, competitive criteria determined which four teams would represent their respective leagues. From MLS, the four clubs earned berths based on their regular season records from 2007: Supporter's Shield winner D.C. United, Western Conference champion Chivas USA, MLS Cup 2007 champions Houston Dynamo and MLS Cup finalist New England Revolution. Representing Mexico's Primera Division are four of the top clubs from the 2007 Apertura season: 2007 Apertura champion Atlante, 11-time Mexican League champion CD Guadalajara, two-time Mexican Primera Division champions Santos Laguna and the 2007 SuperLiga champion Pachuca CF.
During the inaugural edition of SuperLiga, CF Pachuca defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy in a dramatic match decided by penalty kicks at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. on August 30, 2007. During the summer, the competition between rival soccer nations became an instant favorite among millions of soccer fans in Mexico and the United States.
"SuperLiga brought the rivalry between the national teams of the United States and Mexico to the club level and provided fans throughout the region with intense competition and entertaining matches," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "We believe SuperLiga is quickly becoming a major event on the North American sporting landscape, and we are excited to renew the rivalry once again this summer."
"We are extremely pleased to announce the return of SuperLiga, a tournament that celebrates the unique partnership and spirited rivalry between the Mexican First Division and Major League Soccer," said FMF President Justino Compeán. "Last year in its debut, SuperLiga was a complete success as fans on both sides of the border bore witness to the passion and skill displayed by the participating teams in the tournament."
The entire tournament will once again be broadcast live on TeleFutura in the United States.
The SuperLiga field of teams is divided into two groups, each with two representatives from the respective leagues:
Group A |
Group B |
|---|---|
D.C. United (MLS) |
Chivas USA (MLS) |
Houston Dynamo (MLS) |
New England Revolution (MLS) |
CD Guadalajara (México) |
Pachuca CF (México) |
Atlante (México) |
Santos Laguna (México) |
SuperLiga 2008 Schedule
(All Times Eastern) / Subject to change
Saturday, July 12
D.C. United vs. CD Guadalajara (RFK Stadium - Washington D.C.) 20:00
Houston Dynamo vs. Atlante (Robertson Stadium - Houston, TX) 22:00
Sunday, July 13
NE Revolution vs. Santos (Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, MA) 20:00
Chivas USA vs. Pachuca CF (Home Depot Center - Carson, CA) 22:00
Tuesday, July 15
D.C. United vs. Atlante (RFK Stadium - Washington D.C.) 20:00
Houston Dynamo vs. CD Guadalajara (Robertson Stadium - Houston, TX) 22:00
Wednesday, July 16
NE Revolution vs. Pachuca CF (Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, MA) 20:00
Chivas USA vs. Santos (Home Depot Center - Carson, CA) 22:00
Saturday, July 19
D.C. United vs. Houston Dynamo (RFK Stadium - Washington D.C.) 20:00
Atlante vs. CD Guadalajara (Location TBD) 22:00
Sunday, July 20
Chivas USA vs. NE Revolution (Venue TBD - Los Angeles, CA) 20:00
Santos vs. Pachuca CF (Location TBD) 22:00
Tuesday, July 29
Semifinal 1 (Location TBD)
Wednesday, July 30
Semifinal 2 (Location TBD)
Tuesday, August 5
Final (Location TBD)
SuperLiga 2008 Team Capsules
ATLANTE (Mexico Primera Division)
Year Founded: 1916
Reigning champion of the Apertura 2007 tournament, Atlante is a symbol of strength, hard work and perseverance. After a 14 year drought since its previous title (1992-93), Atlante raised its third domestic crown thanks to an excellent campaign that came on the heels of the team's relocation from Mexico City to the heavenly beaches of Cancun. "Los Potros de Hierro" ("The Iron Colts"), as they're affectionately known, are anchored by goalkeeper and fan favorite, Federico Vilar. The club claimed its first international title in 1983 at the CONCACAF Champions Cup and will vie for yet another at this summer's SuperLiga.
CHIVAS USA (MLS)
Year Founded: 2004
Bringing a boldly different approach to the world of professional sports in the United States, Club Deportivo Chivas USA is the sister team of Club Deportivo Guadalajara. In just three years of existence, Chivas USA has twice reached MLS's Western Conference Semifinals, while earning numerous individual accolades along the way including 2007 Goalkeeper of the Year (Brad Guzan) and 2007 Coach of the Year (Preki) most recently. With Mexican World Cup legend Claudio Suarez providing the defensive anchor, the rojiblancos hope SuperLiga 2008, its first international tournament, will bring the first of many titles for the young club.
D.C. UNITED (MLS)
Year Founded: 1996
D.C. United is without a doubt the most successful team in the history of MLS with four MLS Cup titles, four MLS Supporters' Shields, one U.S. Open Cup, one CONCACAF Champions' Cup and one InterAmerican Cup. The Red and Black made offseason waves when they signed five South Americans, most notably Argentine legend Marcelo Gallardo, to supplement current stars Jaime Moreno and Luciano Emilio. D.C. United's Latin influence is seen not only on the field, but also in the stands as its fans and famed supporter's group, La Barra Brava, offer one of the most electric atmospheres in American sports. Always a favorite within MLS, D.C. United looks to improve on last year's exit from the SuperLiga semifinals.
CD GUADALAJARA (Mexico Primera Division)
Year Founded: 1906
CD Guadalajara, the legendary club better known as "Chivas", is a symbol of national pride for Mexicans. Not only is it the most successful club in the history of Mexican soccer with 11 league titles and one CONCACAF Champions' Cup title, but it is also revered for its policy of only fielding Mexican players. The club is known for its dedication to youth development and also its major contributions to the national side, such as Omar Bravo and Johnny Magallón, who led the team to the Copa Libertadores in 2008. Chivas has prepared for SuperLiga and the Apertura season on American soil with the aim of adding another piece of hardware to their already impressive collection.
HOUSTON DYNAMO (MLS)
Year Founded: 2005
Beginning with their inaugural campaign in 2006, the Houston Dynamo wasted no time adjusting to their new setting. Led by forward Brian Ching and Canadian standout Dwayne De Roasario, the Orange captured their second consecutive MLS Cup championship in 2007, making them the first squad since D.C. United (1996-1997) to repeat. On the international front, the steely squad also reached the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals in 2007. With thier attractive style and bright orange uniforms, the Houston Dynamo look to garner considerable attention at SuperLiga 2008.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (MLS)
Year Founded: 1996
One of the league's founding organizations, the New England Revolution have proven to be a model of stability and success. Behind the steady hand of Revolution boss, Steve Nicol, the longest-tenured coach in MLS, the Revs have reached the MLS Cup four of the past six years. In 2007 the team captured its first major trophy at the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Home to stars such as former MLS MVP Taylor Twellman and Grenadian national midfielder Shalrie Joseph, the Revs will be a major contender during SuperLiga 2008.
CF PACHUCA (Mexico Primera Division)
Year Founded: 1901
Founded in 1901 and Mexico's oldest club, CF Pachuca was the inaugural champion of SuperLiga 2007. Following a hard-fought round of qualifying play, "los Tuzos" won the title outright after overcoming the Los Angeles Galaxy in penalties. As one of Mexico's most successful teams, Pachuca has won four league titles, the CONCACAF Champions' Cup in both 2002 and 2007 as well as the esteemed Copa Sudamericana title in 2006, thus becoming the first Mexican team to win a South American club title. Pachuca will look to defend their SuperLiga crown with the help of superstars Juan Carlos Cacho and Christián Giménez.
SANTOS LAGUNA (Mexico Primera Division)
Year Founded: 1982
The club from Torreón has won the Primera División league championship twice in its relatively short history. The first came in the Invierno 1996 tournament with the second coming after the Verano 2001 campaign. This past season, Santos finished with the top record in the regular season with a mark of 11-1-5 before falling to Pumas in the 2007 Torneo Apertura Semifinals in a heart-stopping series by an aggregate score of 5-4. In addition, "Los Guerreros" have fared well on American soil. At InterLiga 2004, Santos Laguna defeated Atlas in penalties to be crowned champions of the stateside tournament, earning a berth to Copa Liberatadores. With the superb Argentine striker Daniel Ludueña leading the charge, Santos Laguna hopes a return to the United States will yield yet another major title for the team.
