As opposed to playing in CONCAF?? I would much rather see the US play in the UEFA vs the CONCAF, especially if the NFL places a team in London.

USMNT and USWNT should compete in CONMEBOL, as should the teams of México and Costa Rica and maybe Panamá.

USMNT would struggle at first, maybe even for two World Cup cycles, but the competition would elevate the squad over time.

Doubt it'll ever happen, though the Caribbean nations proposed forming their own confederation, which if allowed by FIFA would leave North and Central American nations free to join CONMEBOL if the South Americans will have us. (And they would, for access to marketing in the USA.)

Soccer is growing big time in North America and that's creating opportunities that didn't exist before.

Recently, the US, Canada, and Mexico federations have been strengthening their relationship. They'll share the World Cup in 2026 and that's going to be a marketing bonanza.

MLS and Liga MX are starting to share unique competitions, and the new CCL is basically built around those leagues. They have even discussed a merger after the World Cup although I'm still not sure about the likelihood of that. Canada is apparently looking at their own premier division, however, I think they're probably best served to hitch their wagon to MLS.

Anyway, I think what this all means in the long term is that soccer in North America will have a much bigger economic base. For a very long time, it's been Mexico with the only real economic power in the game. The other countries are just too small and poor to really foster any great competition. Well, there's that and the fact that the two richest countries in the entire hemisphere were basically disinterested in the game.

The US market and even the Canadian market to some extent used to be huge untapped reservoirs when it comes to soccer, but the water is starting to flow now.

CONMEBOL has 10 current members. Everyone in South America is a member except for Suriname, Guyana, and French Guiana. The latter 3 are members of CONCACAF which has 41 members by the way.

Basically what we need is realignment so I would suggest this...

What is currently CONMEBOL should be looking to add the US, Canada, Mexico, and one other(probably Costa Rica) to their federation for a total of 14. The other nations in the Caribbean, Central America, along with the 3 outliers in South America should have their own federation.

Whatever this new version of CONMEBOL would be called needs to have its own champions league tournament across the entire hemisphere. In time, it would be second only to UEFA Champions League. The travel would be interesting at times, but you don't have to use the standard UEFA model for scheduling.

To be honest, I would suggest a month long tournament similar to the format of the World Cup. Each league could suspend play for a few weeks and give time to play a few rounds. That sort of format would draw some attention, and would not only create favorable broadcast windows in North and South America, but it could be an event the entire globe might watch due to its unique scheduling.

From the standpoint of national team competition, it would also be a boost. The US wouldn't make the World Cup as often, but the qualifying process would be a heck of a lot more entertaining. That and being in Copa America every few years would be extremely entertaining.

(02-08-2019 03:52 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  Basically what we need is realignment so I would suggest this...

What is currently CONMEBOL should be looking to add the US, Canada, Mexico, and one other(probably Costa Rica) to their federation for a total of 14. The other nations in the Caribbean, Central America, along with the 3 outliers in South America should have their own federation.

Whatever this new version of CONMEBOL would be called needs to have its own champions league tournament across the entire hemisphere. In time, it would be second only to UEFA Champions League. The travel would be interesting at times, but you don't have to use the standard UEFA model for scheduling.

To be honest, I would suggest a month long tournament similar to the format of the World Cup. Each league could suspend play for a few weeks and give time to play a few rounds. That sort of format would draw some attention, and would not only create favorable broadcast windows in North and South America, but it could be an event the entire globe might watch due to its unique scheduling.

From the standpoint of national team competition, it would also be a boost. The US wouldn't make the World Cup as often, but the qualifying process would be a heck of a lot more entertaining. That and being in Copa America every few years would be extremely entertaining.

Yes, it would be great for Copa America. And, Copa America would make a lot more money from TV and sponsorships if the USA and Mexico teams were in it every time.

I always thought one of the following should happen:

1) Confederation consolidation: OFC into AFC and CONCACAF into CONMEBOL. That would give us 4 confederations: CONMEBOL (Americas), UEFA (Europe), CAF (Africa), and APFC (Asia-Pacific).

OR

2) New Zealand follows Australia and joins the AFC (but they won’t and for good reason now.) Then, the rest of the OFC joins with the Caribbean nations to form an island confederation. They could play neutral-site qualification tournaments in the US, Australia/New Zealand, or wherever.

The Quakes' new coach wants to see MLS and Liga MX teams in CONMEBOL's Copa Libertadores. It's very unlikely to happen, as this article notes.

http://www.espn.com/soccer/conmebol-copa...ls-liga-mx

Quote:San Jose Earthquakes coach Matias Almeyda would like to see a continental club competition for the whole of the Americas, including teams from MLS.

The Argentine won the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League with former club Chivas, but believes the Copa Libertadores should be for all the American continent.

"Yes, [MLS teams] should be there because if the Champions [League] is played in all of Europe, then the Copa Libertadores should be played by all of America," stated the 45-year-old in a recent interview with ESPN FC. "It would be more complete to have one champion for America, instead of two."

The idea has been floated before, but MLS commissioner Don Garber said last November that he couldn't see it happening any time soon, indicating that the deepening of the relationship between MLS and Liga MX is more of a priority than entering the Libertadores.

(02-13-2019 01:48 PM)Wedge Wrote:  The Quakes' new coach wants to see MLS and Liga MX teams in CONMEBOL's Copa Libertadores. It's very unlikely to happen, as this article notes.

http://www.espn.com/soccer/conmebol-copa...ls-liga-mx

Quote:San Jose Earthquakes coach Matias Almeyda would like to see a continental club competition for the whole of the Americas, including teams from MLS.

The Argentine won the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League with former club Chivas, but believes the Copa Libertadores should be for all the American continent.

"Yes, [MLS teams] should be there because if the Champions [League] is played in all of Europe, then the Copa Libertadores should be played by all of America," stated the 45-year-old in a recent interview with ESPN FC. "It would be more complete to have one champion for America, instead of two."

The idea has been floated before, but MLS commissioner Don Garber said last November that he couldn't see it happening any time soon, indicating that the deepening of the relationship between MLS and Liga MX is more of a priority than entering the Libertadores.

I can see Garber's position though. I don't think he's ruling it out, just saying that the partnership with Liga MX has to be the priority right now. One step at a time...that sort of thing.

If it's true that the powers that be want to merge Liga MX and MLS then I think that would come first before any discussion about federations.

(02-13-2019 03:18 PM)AllTideUp Wrote:  

(02-13-2019 01:48 PM)Wedge Wrote:  The Quakes' new coach wants to see MLS and Liga MX teams in CONMEBOL's Copa Libertadores. It's very unlikely to happen, as this article notes.

http://www.espn.com/soccer/conmebol-copa...ls-liga-mx

Quote:San Jose Earthquakes coach Matias Almeyda would like to see a continental club competition for the whole of the Americas, including teams from MLS.

The Argentine won the 2018 CONCACAF Champions League with former club Chivas, but believes the Copa Libertadores should be for all the American continent.

"Yes, [MLS teams] should be there because if the Champions [League] is played in all of Europe, then the Copa Libertadores should be played by all of America," stated the 45-year-old in a recent interview with ESPN FC. "It would be more complete to have one champion for America, instead of two."

The idea has been floated before, but MLS commissioner Don Garber said last November that he couldn't see it happening any time soon, indicating that the deepening of the relationship between MLS and Liga MX is more of a priority than entering the Libertadores.

I can see Garber's position though. I don't think he's ruling it out, just saying that the partnership with Liga MX has to be the priority right now. One step at a time...that sort of thing.

If it's true that the powers that be want to merge Liga MX and MLS then I think that would come first before any discussion about federations.

It’s a good idea. It will create the inevitable tiered system. The issue will be blending the other tiers and determining how the tiers will be organized. Liga MX is a better league but still not great when compared to South America, let along Europe.

(02-13-2019 11:58 PM)BePcr07 Wrote:  Liga MX is a better league but still not great when compared to South America, let along Europe.

Liga MX is as good as the best South American leagues. Which one is slightly better than the others is debatable. One ranking of the best leagues worldwide has Liga MX at #11, Brasileirão in Brazil at #13, Argentina's Superliga at #14, and MLS at #19. Another ranking (which seems more subjective because it includes things like "fan atmosphere") has Brazil at #8, Argentina at #9, Liga MX at #10, and MLS at #15.

(02-14-2019 10:57 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(02-13-2019 11:58 PM)BePcr07 Wrote:  Liga MX is a better league but still not great when compared to South America, let along Europe.

Liga MX is as good as the best South American leagues. Which one is slightly better than the others is debatable. One ranking of the best leagues worldwide has Liga MX at #11, Brasileirão in Brazil at #13, Argentina's Superliga at #14, and MLS at #19. Another ranking (which seems more subjective because it includes things like "fan atmosphere") has Brazil at #8, Argentina at #9, Liga MX at #10, and MLS at #15.

I think the 2nd is more accurate but the gaps are bigger than it seem. The top of Liga MX is good - no doubt. But top to bottom, I don’t see the strength. Some years probably, but it isn’t consistent.

(02-15-2019 10:19 AM)BePcr07 Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 10:57 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(02-13-2019 11:58 PM)BePcr07 Wrote:  Liga MX is a better league but still not great when compared to South America, let along Europe.

Liga MX is as good as the best South American leagues. Which one is slightly better than the others is debatable. One ranking of the best leagues worldwide has Liga MX at #11, Brasileirão in Brazil at #13, Argentina's Superliga at #14, and MLS at #19. Another ranking (which seems more subjective because it includes things like "fan atmosphere") has Brazil at #8, Argentina at #9, Liga MX at #10, and MLS at #15.

I think the 2nd is more accurate but the gaps are bigger than it seem. The top of Liga MX is good - no doubt. But top to bottom, I don’t see the strength. Some years probably, but it isn’t consistent.

The bottom of the league is just as weak in Brazil and Argentina.

In any event, MLS still has a ways to go to catch up to them. Baseball analogy: The MLS business model has been to try to put a few quality players on each team and fill out the other 80% with the equivalent of single-A and double-A baseball players, whereas in Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, the best squads (at least the top half of the league) are the equivalent of triple-A baseball players throughout the roster. I don't see how MLS is going to fix this without letting its teams pay players more money.

(02-15-2019 02:11 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(02-15-2019 10:19 AM)BePcr07 Wrote:  

(02-14-2019 10:57 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(02-13-2019 11:58 PM)BePcr07 Wrote:  Liga MX is a better league but still not great when compared to South America, let along Europe.

Liga MX is as good as the best South American leagues. Which one is slightly better than the others is debatable. One ranking of the best leagues worldwide has Liga MX at #11, Brasileirão in Brazil at #13, Argentina's Superliga at #14, and MLS at #19. Another ranking (which seems more subjective because it includes things like "fan atmosphere") has Brazil at #8, Argentina at #9, Liga MX at #10, and MLS at #15.

I think the 2nd is more accurate but the gaps are bigger than it seem. The top of Liga MX is good - no doubt. But top to bottom, I don’t see the strength. Some years probably, but it isn’t consistent.

The bottom of the league is just as weak in Brazil and Argentina.

In any event, MLS still has a ways to go to catch up to them. Baseball analogy: The MLS business model has been to try to put a few quality players on each team and fill out the other 80% with the equivalent of single-A and double-A baseball players, whereas in Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, the best squads (at least the top half of the league) are the equivalent of triple-A baseball players throughout the roster. I don't see how MLS is going to fix this without letting its teams pay players more money.

I think they've been biding their time, making sure the market was there for pro soccer.

A league that functioned too much like the top leagues of Europe wouldn't have garnered any support among fans that weren't already favorable to that system. The soccer culture is still growing.

I think what MLS needs next is more Arthur Blanks that are willing to spend money on training facilities, stadiums, and organizations that know how to develop talent.

As the appetite grows and there is enough big money in ownership then I think the time will be right to open up the compensation system. I'm not sure it will ever be quite as free spending as the major leagues around the world, but I think the time is coming.

We may never see the US and Mexican national teams in CONMEBOL, but it's starting to look like we will eventually see a Copa America that includes the US and Mexico every time...

https://theathletic.com/822651/2019/02/1...ng-update/

Quote:[US Soccer president] Cordeiro made the surprising admission that the future of the Gold Cup could also be in question.

“The Gold Cup is only legislated for this year and 2021, so it could go on but it may not happen,” he said.

Cutting the Gold Cup would likely prove to be a divisive decision, as it provides competitive games for the national team. However, with the end of the Confederations Cup, there is no longer a reward for winning the regional tournament. It’s possible another competition could take its place, and discussions have been ongoing between CONCACAF and CONMEBOL regarding a joint tournament.

“There have been talks in the last year between CONMEBOL and CONCACAF on a kind of combined Copa America,” he said, “but they haven’t been able to come to an agreement on that.”

Latest bit of news on this is that US Soccer is proposing a combined Copa America for 2020 that would be financed by US Soccer or some entity they line up, and would pay a big chunk of money to each participating nation's federation.

http://www.espn.com/soccer/copa-america/...t-for-2020

Quote:The letter, a copy of which was obtained by ESPN FC, proposes a tournament that will in many ways mirror the Copa America Centenario that was hosted by the U.S. in 2016. The invitees will consist of all 10 CONMEBOL countries as well as six CONCACAF nations.

The USSF is offering to underwrite the entire event, including a guarantee that each team will receive a minimum of $4 million to participate. Teams can earn additional prize money of $225,000 per point won, and $5m for winning the tournament. Before prize money, the total compensation to CONMEBOL and its teams will be $90m, while CONCACAF and its teams will receive $74m. All told, the USSF is willing to pay out nearly $200m to the participants -- both teams and confederations -- of the event.

Quote:The intention is to turn the combined tournament into a quadrennial, joint continental event. Any combined tournament would have to be approved by both confederations as well as the USSF. According to the letter, USSF president Carlos Cordeiro has invited CONMEBOL leaders to discuss the proposal next week in Miami.

Update: CONMEBOL says no.