We here at TBG have treated MLS poorly - and rightfully so. No explanation is necessary to say why.
However, MLS has a great opportunity Wednesday night to earn some respect. Real Salt Lake is the first U.S. team to advance to the final round of the CONCACAF Champions League, and the first leg is set for Wednesday night in Mexico against Monterrey. Needless to say, no MLS team has ever won in Mexico.
There is reason for optimism. Moterrey eliminated Cruz Azul in the semis and RSL played Cruz Azul in the group stages, splitting two meetings. The MLS outfit was more than respectable in a wild 5-4 loss in a monsoon in Mexico.
RSL is not a joke. This is a team that won MLS Cup two years ago and was upset in the playoffs last season. Coach Jason Kreis knows what he is doing and the American blogosphere is ridiculously trying to start rumors that Kreis is qualified to coach in Europe.
That, of course, is far-fetched. Yet Kreis has always had his team prepared and he insists his squad is going down to Mexico to take a lead back home to the crazed fans in Utah.
"To be clear, we're not going into this match saying, 'Guys, it's OK if we lose,’" the coach said Tuesday. "We’re always an aggressive group. We're always a confident group, and we'll approach this match the way we have the others, we're here to win."
MLS did RSL a solid by postponing last weekend's meaningless match with Philadelphia to give the club a full week off. The team chartered down to Mexico on Sunday and will have two full practices down south.
In addition, Los Rayados have yet to win a match in April. Monterrey have four draws and a loss in their last five matches, and Chilean superstar Hunberto Suazo is said to be coming back from an injury. The fans are also on break down south, reportedly.
This appears to be MLS' best chance at worldwide glory, 180 minutes away from a berth in the Club World Cup and the possibility of facing Barcelona, Manchester United or even an underrated Schalke FC squad. Let's hope RSL takes advantage.
No comments:
Post a Comment