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News, Blog and GuidesThe MLS Commissioner has made it clear he is not considering taking the tournament outside of the United States.
Mauricio TorresMaTorres22Joe Brennanj4brennanUpdate: Aug 22nd, 2023 01:35 EDT
TIM NWACHUKWUGetty Images via AFP
Don Garber, MLS commissioner, has reiterated his rejection of the idea that Leagues Cup games should and could be played in Mexico in order to increase fairness, given the poor performances of Liga MX side in this year’s tournament.
The Leagues Cup turned out to be a dramatic failure for Mexican soccer, as not a single club was able to look like they were ever going to make the final of the tournament and the Major League Soccer sides thoroughly imposed their dominance over their opponents. However, there has been one complaint regarding the performances that has generated the most controversy: the fact that all the American teams were always ‘at home’ and did not have to travel to Mexico for a single game throughout the tournament.
Don Garber, MLS commissioner, spoke about the situation and clarified that he is absolutely not contemplating taking the tournament out of the United States, believing that it would not have the same economic benefit as it has had. At the same time, the American clarified that he is not interested in the Leagues Cup having the same format as the Concacaf Champions League.
🏆 @InterMiamiCF are your #LeaguesCup2023 champions! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/jptXqLAJpv
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 20, 2023
Calls rejected for Champions League-style format
“I don’t think it should compete with the Champions Cup and I think once you start having home and away it starts to look like that. I am not sure if that’s in the best interest of the two leagues and our confederation” he said.
“I think economically, it certainly makes sense to have it here in the United States. But I think it’s a great opportunity for Liga MX clubs to be able to provide their fans who are living in the United States an opportunity to see all their teams, as opposed to two or three teams that are here summer after summer.
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CF Monterrey made it to the semi-finals and were comfortably the best Mexican performers of the tournament.Gregory FisherUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Garber reminds Liga MX of commitment
So I think there’s no reason to look at moving it, but…let’s take a step back when it’s all over and just look at everything” he also added. The commissioner was also keen to stress his sense of annoyance over the complaints, and even reminded Liga MX that the Leagues Cup is also their business idea and not just Garber out to make a few extra bucks: “We worked really hard to ensure that our clubs knew that this was a tournament that was a joint venture. We jointly own this tournament (with Liga MX). So if we do things that are gonna belittle the tournament, it affects our partnership. We do things that are gonna grow the tournament, it benefits the partnership.”
