Marquez sent off for Mr. Miyagi-inspired kick

Mexican captain gets straight red as Leon bows out of Libertadores

Rafael Marquez immediately apologized on his official Twitter account for the above recklessness against Bolivian international Juan Carlos Arce following its match in the Round of 16 stage of the Copa Libertadores.

With about 15 minutes left and the match leveled at 1-1, the Mexican captain made it difficult for his Club Leon side as he was directly sent off for the challenge. The former New York Red Bulls defender did not even protest the decision as he walked off the pitch.

The 3-3 aggregate allowed Bolivar to advance onto the quarterfinals, only the fourth time the Bolivian side has done so in its history but Leon had plenty of chances and kept up with the South Americans in the skies of La Paz.

-Tio Pelotas

@TioPelotas74

MLS sides improve internationally despite latest setback

Latest, stinging defeats will serve a purpose, provide experience

There won't be any cheerleading here after the latest debacle this week following Major League Soccer's elimination of its last three contending sides in CONCACAF's Champions League play.

However, can we take a breather and a step back to recall just a few short years ago the comedic displays the league endured against Mexican teams that looked little interested when the region's continental format was renovated to rival that of its UEFA Champions League and CONMEBOL's Copa Libertadores cousins?

It's been reiterated here and in other sites and blogs that the league is growing by leaps and bounds, yes. Its growth in such a short time is to be commended and supporters of this league--including us here--continue to believe that going forward, MLS competition is advancing at a rapid pace, more so than expected.

But, understandably, fans, skeptics and the Don (that is, commissioner Don Garber) continue to be baffled, frustrated and disillusioned at MLS' play in international competition. On the other hand, international level is not only a step up, it's a giant leap into competitiveness that most players in the growing league aren't too accustomed to just yet. Landon Donovan is. Robbie Keane is. Graham Zusi is.

The majority need more of this week's games under their belt. It's a different scene in Tijuana, San Jose and Panama City than northern California and Utah. The hostilities, rapid pace of play and mind games are just some factors to endure but the experience is worth it all.

Mexican sides are justifiably arrogant when partaking in competition against their MLS brethren. And why shouldn't they be? They're a rich league, save for a few deadbeat clubs, have a history of good overall football in its structure and develop class players; only Brazil and Argentina can match what Mexico's league displays if it boils down to pay and competition. 

But the gap between Mexico and U.S. leagues' play can't last forever. Sure, the salary cap here constrains depth a bit, the scheduling of these tournament stages are a bit stagnant and, yes, maybe sometimes luck plays a dirty trick on us. So what's the point here? MLS sides can compete on an international level although the scorelines don't reflect that yet. Some pieces of the puzzle have yet to be completed. It's only a while back that Mexico's sides were toying with MLS sides in previous Champions League versions, sending out reserves and more interested in competing in Libertadores.

Football is cyclical. Football provides payback. Football gives hope.

Just ask the 2002 U.S. national World Cup team.

-Tio Pelotas
@TioPelotas74

Just how good (or bad) is the MLS?

Vergara finally admits Chivas USA failure

Rebranding or sale possible options for L.A.-based club

First, he had to fend off rumors of a sale of his Chivas Guadalajara empire to Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim.

Now it appears Jorge Vergara is fielding inquiries about his failed brainchild, Chivas USA, following a story earlier Monday about patented trademarks being filed for names that could potentially be a new avenue to pursue in remaking the unsuccessful offspring of the Mexican team. The news was first reported by The Goat Parade.

In an interview with ESPN, Vergara admittted to the L.A. based team being a failure and labeled the brand as "being worn out." He added that nothing was concrete regarding a total makeover or if a sale was even being considered but did note that a "deep analysis" is in the works. Finally, Vergara noticed that Chivas USA looked pretty decent in preseason, "something that hasn't happened in eight years," he added.

The Goat Parade pointed out that two trademarks were filed for Los Angeles SC and Los Angeles F.C., two names that would give overall supporters of the league a bit of a relief and empathy that Vergara wants to succeed in a fast-growing league like MLS. Vergara's always been a smart business man and with investors and sponsors lining up for a crack at the U.S. top flight, surely he won't just sell low and cut out.

-Tio Pelotas
@TioPelotas74

Then there were 32 - but not many surprises

All 32 places for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil are now taken after the play-off games were completed this week, and the field has a familiar look to it. Twenty-four of the 32 teams are same as in 2010, with the qualification process seemingly paving the way for the bigger teams to make the tournament. 

Mexico won just two of their 10 games in the final round of qualifying, yet still got another chance to make it by playing a home and home series with New Zealand, a team ranked 79 in the world (Mexico are 24). Bosnia-Herzegovina are the only debutants, with 14 of the 32 teams having reached double digits in appearances (Brazil 2014 is the 20^th World Cup). 

Although 76 different national teams have made the finals, there have only been 17 new teams since the format expanded to 32 teams in 1998, and only seven of those have made a repeat appearance. 

Only South American teams have won the tournament when it's been held in the Americas, and no team from outside of Europe or South America have ever made the final in any World Cup - so although it's great to see representation from Algeria to Australia, it's unlikely they will reach the later stages - with South Korea and the US (in 1930) the only teams from outside the traditional powerbases to even make a semi-final.

The African teams tend to vary a little, but teams from Asia, South America, North and Central America and Europe are largely the same every four years. Some bigger European nations always miss out as the region gets 13 spots for 53 nations, but it’s the World Cup and the beauty of it is seeing teams from all over the world – because there’s no other stage to potentially watch Iran against Costa Rica.

Also worth viewing on the WSJ sports section:

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304607104579210260819460176

Sepp was right......for once

FIFA's overlord wants to do away with World Cup playoffs

Sepp Blatter, not one to provide the most glamorous of quotes, may have gotten it right this time around. What's the point of the playoff system to enter the World Cup?

Yesterday, Mexico trampled a New Zealand side that hoped to minimize the goalfest by hanging back but the desperate Aztecs--with a hounding press and angry supporter base--penetrated the Kiwis' wall for five in the net that surely will secure its ticket to Brazil next year, barring a collapse in the second leg next week. And don't forget this Mexico side was a domestic side with the majority of them from Club America.

Meanwhile, in Jordan, Uruguay may as well have whipped out a chalkboard and pull up some chairs to teach football to the Asian side. The gap in class was evident almost immediately and the South Americans showed no mercy in the midst of a timid atmosphere compared to the hostilities shown on their home continent when visiting places like Bogota, Quito and Lima.

It's understandable that FIFA and its money-making machine looks to expand and include non-traditional powers into the mix (see Qatar 2022) but the reality is yesterday's results show how much the continuing changes in its system to attract some sort of competitive balance on a global scale is....well, Blatteresque.

It's about time CONCACAF made a change

There are lots of relieved people in Mexico this morning. Thanks to some late goals for the US against Panama, Mexico still have a chance to make it to Brazil next summer.

The Mexican drama has been like one of their infamous soap operas. An overhead kick with 5 mins to go to beat Panama, an unbelievable miss by Chicharito, followed by a Graham Zuzi header for the US in stoppage time to give the Mexicans a lifeline after they lost away in Costa Rica.

Mexico have always qualified when the competition was held in the Americas (1930, 50, 62, 70, 78, 86 and 94), and no doubt will have a good following if they beat New Zealand in two-leg playoff in November.

But surely it's now time that the CONCACAF region made a change in how teams qualify - or maybe FIFA need to look at taking one of the 3 automatic places away - or at least ditch the Intercontinental playoff game.

Mexico finished 4th in a group of 6, only won 2 games, scoring just 7 goals. This is undoubtedly one of the weakest Mexican teams in recent memory - they are so bad that they can't even rough teams up like they used to.

They finished behind the US, Costa Rica and Honduras - the latter two of which are highly unlikely to make it out of the group stages in Brazil. So why should Mexico get yet another chance to go? They have been very poor and don't deserve to be at the main event. The US have a decent team, but not one you would say is going to genuinely contend at the World Cup. Jurgen Klinsmann has done a very good job, and the US have completely dominated the region, but they really should - beating teams like Antigua & Barbuda, Guatemala and Jamaica should be pretty straightforward. But you can only beat the teams put in front of you.

And Mexico couldn't.

New Zealand won 6 of 6 in their region, but they should too - Tahiti and New Caledonia aren't much of a test either.

Maybe FIFA needs to revamp the qualifying process as it seems like they want some of the same teams there at every World Cup. With the current system, the US are pretty much guaranteed to be in, and it seems Mexico are being given more chances than most to also be there.

The stuff we dream about

Ok, so not everyone dreams about scoring for Mexico against Panama in a World Cup qualifier.

But this is special. Raul Jimenez had just come off the bench with his team tied 1-1 and needing a win to have any realistic chance of making it to Brazil.

The ball comes into him on the edge of the box, and what do you do after having a bad touch? Bike it of course! What else is there?!

Mexico now look like they will have to play New Zealand in a two-leg playoff.

Here's the YouTube version - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6dOcQEI7c0

What Jurgen and the US need to do next

First of all, congratulations. The US have qualified for the World Cup in Brazil next summer.

They deserve to be there, but frankly, they should qualify every time if the CONCACAF regions continues to get 3 automatic spots and the chance of a 4th. The US have now qualified 7 times in a row, but it's tough to think they'll ever be the 5th worst team in the region - especially when FIFA ranks Haiti as the 6th best team in CONCACAF. Yes, Mexico have been awful this qualifying campaign, but they still have a very good chance to finish 4th and reach a playoff against New Zealand (ranked 57th in the World).

The region isn't necessarily too easy, they just get too many qualifying spots - make it a hard 3 and the games would be even more competitive, and ultimately improve the standard.

The thing the US need to do now is play difficult games against top European, African and South American opposition. I hope Jurgen Klinsmann and the US Federation arrange friendly games with teams that will challenge them, and highlight the weaknesses.

Currently, the full-backs and outside midfielders are the weak links - with the exception of Landon Donovan. DaMarcus Beasley and Fabian Johnson aren't good enough, Alejandro Bedoya isn't ready yet. Klinsmann needs to get Brek Shea back in form, look to the MLS for new full backs and develop a system to utilize the strengths of Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey - by far their best players.

Now is a time to celebrate, but finishing second in the group in Brazil and not progressing in the knockout stages isn't progress for soccer in the US. Now is the time to build and improve - simply qualifying isn't a measure of success for the US anymore, competing at the highest level should be the goal.

Also available here on WSJ - http://blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2013/09/11/u-s-soccer-congrats-and-criticism/

The American - a kick to the groin

The US can pretty much qualify tonight, and pile the pressure on the old enemy

Tonight is the night, fellow Americans. 

While America was in full effect over the weekend with the return of NFL football and the gathering of true patriots, few things in the sporting world could boost our national pride than qualifying for the world's biggest sports tournament while vanquishing a hated foe.

With a little help, the Stars and Stripes can qualify for the 2014 World Cup, and strike a huge blow for archrival Mexico. 

How great would it feel to qualify AND knock them from contention? I'm sure it beats a kick to the groin, right Alexi?  

And Mexico is reeling. They lost to Honduras on Friday, then fired their coach Jose Manuel De La Torre on Saturday. Not a happy weekend for El Tri as they crap their drawers at the prospect of missing the World Cup for the first time since 1982. 

It won't be easy, but it rarely is. Jozy Altidore, Matt Besler and Geoff Cameron are suspended, and Michael Bradley, arguably their best player, is out with an injury.

But we have the home field advantage -- the US has beaten Mexico all three times they have played in Columbus. 

So I'm predicting a 2-1 triumph by the US tonight on home soil. Alamo, bitches! Remember it.

-Nick 'The American' Hatcher

The Gold Cup - that summer trophy every player dreams of

Klinsmann Finally Facing Some Selection Questions

Teams finally begin to challenge the US/Mexico monopoly on the Gold Cup

If there’s a time for the U.S. to lift the Gold Cup trophy, it’d be now. Sure, they’re deploying a ‘B’ team and wins over Cuba and Belize won’t exactly light a fire in any other international tournament but this is still a competition---a win will send them to the next Confederations Cup slated to be in Russia in a few short years. And the U.S. side looked and played dynamic in their wins over Costa Rica and El Salvador.

Now’s the real test: Honduras in the semifinals. The Catrachos have risen in the ranks of CONCACAF, especially after qualifying for the World Cup in 2010 and subsequently sending their best players to top leagues. They beat the U.S. in the first round of the hexagonal qualifying stages earlier this year, the last time the U.S. suffered a loss in nine matches in 2013. And they haven’t been to the Gold Cup final since 1991, where they lost to the U.S. in penalties.

The U.S. is still reeling from its 4-2 loss to Mexico in the 2011 edition. But their wave of confidence at the moment should help them to not only lift the trophy this year but also provide manager Jurgen Klinsmann with a headache when planning to see how his ‘B’ team players will fit into his ‘A’ side come the World Cup next year.

Canada are the only team other than the US or Mexico to have won the Gold Cup (in 2000), but with the Klinsmann trying a few players out and El Tri (who play Panama in the other semi-final) struggling for form, maybe times are changing in the Gold Cup.

                                                                                                         -Tio Pelotas