US/Mexico rivalry lives on; MLS season kicks off

After CONCACAF jumped the gun and assumed their mediocrity was enough to earn them an additional spot in the World Cup, Chuck Blazer and company had to return to the drawing board in the past week and redesign the World Cup qualifying system AGAIN.

The initial alteration involved breaking up the final round into two groups, all but guaranteeing a separation of the US and Mexico--the two North American superpowers and arguably the biggest rivalry this side of the Atlantic.  This system was created under the assumption that the top two teams in each group would advance to the big stage.

When it was announced that CONCACAF would be limited to their previous 3.5 spots (the "half" team goes through a playoff series with a team from another continent for the actual World Cup qualification), the confederation acknowledged that another change was imminent.  The new format would require the second place teams in both groups into a playoff, with the loser playing the intercontinental matches.  Lame.

CONCACAF claims that there weren't enough FIFA international dates (reserved dates on the calendar when leagues shut down for international play) for these extra matches.  If that's actually the reason, then that's fine, I don't care.  I'd also be willing to bet that they heard voices in their sleep telling them that breaking up the US/Mexico match-ups was a laughable mistake, and that returning to the beloved "hexagonal" final round (one group, six teams) was the only path to saving the slightest bit of face.  This virtually assures the Yanks and El Tri playing each other twice in the final round of qualifying.

Pending an official announcement and FIFA approval, both of which are mere formalities, here's what the system should look like:

35 teams in CONCACAF
1st Round: Teams 26-35 play home-and-home
2nd Round: 5 1st rd. winners join Teams 7-25 in 6 groups of 4.
3rd Round: 6 2nd rd. group winners join Teams 1-6 in 3 groups of 4.
4th Round: Top 2 teams in each 3rd rd. group play in 1 group

Note that this will put the USA automatically through to the third round, and reduces the number of qualifying matches from 18 (the initial change) to 16.  They played 18 matches during the 2010 campaign, under a different format.

2011 MLS Season


Last night's game in Seattle was a good one, with the LA Galaxy defeating Seattle Sounders FC, 1-0.  Juninho found the back of the net in the 2nd half with a beautiful liner inside the near post from 20 yards.  The rest of the league's opening slate will be played this weekend.

Also, Real Salt Lake continued their inspired Champions League run last night, defeating CD Saprissa of Costa Rica at home, 2-0 (attendance 17,000!).  They'll play the 2nd leg of the semifinals in two weeks in Costa Rica, where "The Monster's Cave" provides Saprissa with arguably the best home-field advantage in Central America.