KCup17 said:
Me too. Really hope that they can pull out the win against swansea.
In my opinion I dont think the MLS can handle the technicality or pace of the game. especially how the MLS clubs are modeled with a salary cap. Take off the salary cap and give them a couple seasons to get proper players and adjusted and i think its a different story.
I think MLS has great athletes and in general has a more direct style of play, so I really don't think pace would be that much of a problem. Technical skill and tactical strategy and wherewithal? Maybe a bit more of an issue. I don't know. I also don't know the differences in number of designated/foreign players and salary caps, etc., but I do think the salary cap is the biggest limiter for top MLS clubs preventing them from beating a team like Tigres or America or Monterrey in the Concacaf Champions League and it would be similar vs Championship teams in England's second tier.
Derrel Dike just hopped over on loan from Orlando and tore it up in the Championship, and I think Arriola and Morris could have done well had they not unfortunately gotten injured so quickly once they got there. In the last couple of years, the Toronto FC team and LAFC team that made the CCL final probably had more quality players in their best 11 or 11 best, but still couldn't beat the Mexican team and I think quality depth is the major factor.
I also think MLS as a talent pool for the world has gone up quite a bit in stature in recent years and major European clubs are investing a lot in scouting, relationships with MLS clubs (i.e. Bayern and FC Dallas), and setting up their own academies in the US (Barca, etc.). Athleticism is not going to be the issue. Development and locking in more of the premium athletes early before they reach football and school sports is a challenge in the US.
