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2008 Superliga Preview
A quick look at the annual border war between clubs from the Mexican Primera and MLS.
Jul 11, 2008 4:07:54 PM
Hold onto your sombreros and baseball caps, because everyone’s favorite
shootout is back. And although Superliga is basically an exhibition
series, there are continental bragging rights on the line.
This weekend, the 2008 Superliga tournament opens with four matches between Mexican and American clubs. All the games are taking place at stadiums around the United States, including New England, Washington, Houston, Dallas, San Jose, and Los Angeles.
Whether it will be the same hit it was last year, when fans in both countries appeared to catch “Superliga fever,” remains to be seen. But, despite the absence of David Beckham’s Los Angeles Galaxy and Mexican giants Club América, the games should be more competitive this time around.
A Look Back: A Indisputable Success
As if the rivalry between CONCACAF giants Mexico and the United States needed extra gunpowder, last year’s inaugural Superliga tournament provided more than enough bang for the buck. Actually, a million bucks. Because that’s what was on the line, and the seven-figure purse was enough to ensure there was passion and venom during the games.
After all, this is basically a made-for-TV exhibition series between teams from Mexico and the US. But, saying that, it makes for some very good TV.
Last year, Pachuca, the most successful club in CONCACAF over the past few years, won the trophy (and the money). However, they needed penalty kicks to beat the Los Angeles Galaxy, led by the newly arrived Beckham, in the final. The game was a thriller, including a bicycle-kick goal from Chris Klein to equalize late in regulation time.
New Teams: Quality over Quantity
After the success of 2007, interest in participating in Superliga jumped. In the first year, the teams were chosen for maximum marketing effect -- hence the inclusion of L.A., who eventually even missed out on the MLS playoffs -- but this year the best teams are involved from both countries.
Returning MLS teams include D.C. United, who won the 2007 MLS Supporters Shield, and two time defending MLS Cup champions Houston Dynamo. Newcomers Chivas USA, who are tied for first in the Western Conference right now, and the New England Revolution, who possess MLS’s best overall record, round out the US contingent.
The Mexicans are once again led by reigning CONCACAF champs Pachuca. They are joined by 2008 Clausura champs Santos Laguna, 2007 Apertura winners Atlante, and 11-time champions Chivas de Guadalajara, who may have as many fans in the United States as they do in Mexico.
The Format
As was the case in last year’s inaugural edition, the format consists of a group stage. The two groups each consist of two teams from the Mexican Primera Division and two teams from Major League Soccer. The top two teams in each group advance to the semifinals.
Group A
D.C. United
Houston Dynamo
CD Guadalajara
Atlante
This group includes the two more seasoned MLS teams when it comes to international competitions. D.C. United opens against a familiar foe in Chivas de Guadalajara who knocked the Black-and-Red out of both the Champions' Cup and Copa Sudamericana in 2007. With Chivas the favorites, United have an upper hand over Houston as they will play all three of their group matches at home.
Group B
Chivas USA
New England Revolution
Santos Laguna
Pachuca
Pachuca, with their international experiece, will be the team to beat in this group. This competition is the first for Chivas USA and the newbies will find it difficult to advance. In battling for second, New England are in good form and have seemingly endless attacking weapons, while Santos bristle with confidence and boast Mexican-American Edgar Castillo is a star in the making.
The Schedule
Saturday, July 12
D.C. United vs. CD Guadalajara (RFK Stadium) 8 p.m.
Houston Dynamo vs. Atlante (Robertson Stadium) 10 p.m.
Sunday, July 13
New England Revolution vs. Santos (Gillette Stadium) 8 p.m.
Chivas USA vs. Pachuca CF (Home Depot Center) 10 p.m.
Tuesday, July 15
D.C. United vs. Atlante (RFK Stadium) 8 p.m.
Houston Dynamo vs. CD Guadalajara (Robertson Stadium) 10 p.m.
Wednesday, July 16
New England Revolution vs. Pachuca CF (Gillette Stadium) 8 p.m.
Chivas USA vs. Santos (Home Depot Center) 10 p.m.
Saturday, July 19
D.C. United vs. Houston Dynamo (RFK Stadium) 8 p.m.
Atlante vs. CD Guadalajara (Buck Shaw Stadium) 10 p.m.
Sunday, July 20
Chivas USA vs. New England Revolution (Titan Stadium at Cal State Fullerton) 8 p.m.
Santos vs. Pachuca CF (Pizza Hut Park) 10 p.m.
Tuesday, July 29
Semifinal 1
Wednesday, July 30
Semifinal 2
Tuesday, August 5
Final
-- Goal.com
This weekend, the 2008 Superliga tournament opens with four matches between Mexican and American clubs. All the games are taking place at stadiums around the United States, including New England, Washington, Houston, Dallas, San Jose, and Los Angeles.
Whether it will be the same hit it was last year, when fans in both countries appeared to catch “Superliga fever,” remains to be seen. But, despite the absence of David Beckham’s Los Angeles Galaxy and Mexican giants Club América, the games should be more competitive this time around.
A Look Back: A Indisputable Success
As if the rivalry between CONCACAF giants Mexico and the United States needed extra gunpowder, last year’s inaugural Superliga tournament provided more than enough bang for the buck. Actually, a million bucks. Because that’s what was on the line, and the seven-figure purse was enough to ensure there was passion and venom during the games.
After all, this is basically a made-for-TV exhibition series between teams from Mexico and the US. But, saying that, it makes for some very good TV.
Last year, Pachuca, the most successful club in CONCACAF over the past few years, won the trophy (and the money). However, they needed penalty kicks to beat the Los Angeles Galaxy, led by the newly arrived Beckham, in the final. The game was a thriller, including a bicycle-kick goal from Chris Klein to equalize late in regulation time.
New Teams: Quality over Quantity
After the success of 2007, interest in participating in Superliga jumped. In the first year, the teams were chosen for maximum marketing effect -- hence the inclusion of L.A., who eventually even missed out on the MLS playoffs -- but this year the best teams are involved from both countries.
Returning MLS teams include D.C. United, who won the 2007 MLS Supporters Shield, and two time defending MLS Cup champions Houston Dynamo. Newcomers Chivas USA, who are tied for first in the Western Conference right now, and the New England Revolution, who possess MLS’s best overall record, round out the US contingent.
The Mexicans are once again led by reigning CONCACAF champs Pachuca. They are joined by 2008 Clausura champs Santos Laguna, 2007 Apertura winners Atlante, and 11-time champions Chivas de Guadalajara, who may have as many fans in the United States as they do in Mexico.
The Format
As was the case in last year’s inaugural edition, the format consists of a group stage. The two groups each consist of two teams from the Mexican Primera Division and two teams from Major League Soccer. The top two teams in each group advance to the semifinals.
Group A
D.C. United
Houston Dynamo
CD Guadalajara
Atlante
This group includes the two more seasoned MLS teams when it comes to international competitions. D.C. United opens against a familiar foe in Chivas de Guadalajara who knocked the Black-and-Red out of both the Champions' Cup and Copa Sudamericana in 2007. With Chivas the favorites, United have an upper hand over Houston as they will play all three of their group matches at home.
Group B
Chivas USA
New England Revolution
Santos Laguna
Pachuca
Pachuca, with their international experiece, will be the team to beat in this group. This competition is the first for Chivas USA and the newbies will find it difficult to advance. In battling for second, New England are in good form and have seemingly endless attacking weapons, while Santos bristle with confidence and boast Mexican-American Edgar Castillo is a star in the making.
The Schedule
Saturday, July 12
D.C. United vs. CD Guadalajara (RFK Stadium) 8 p.m.
Houston Dynamo vs. Atlante (Robertson Stadium) 10 p.m.
Sunday, July 13
New England Revolution vs. Santos (Gillette Stadium) 8 p.m.
Chivas USA vs. Pachuca CF (Home Depot Center) 10 p.m.
Tuesday, July 15
D.C. United vs. Atlante (RFK Stadium) 8 p.m.
Houston Dynamo vs. CD Guadalajara (Robertson Stadium) 10 p.m.
Wednesday, July 16
New England Revolution vs. Pachuca CF (Gillette Stadium) 8 p.m.
Chivas USA vs. Santos (Home Depot Center) 10 p.m.
Saturday, July 19
D.C. United vs. Houston Dynamo (RFK Stadium) 8 p.m.
Atlante vs. CD Guadalajara (Buck Shaw Stadium) 10 p.m.
Sunday, July 20
Chivas USA vs. New England Revolution (Titan Stadium at Cal State Fullerton) 8 p.m.
Santos vs. Pachuca CF (Pizza Hut Park) 10 p.m.
Tuesday, July 29
Semifinal 1
Wednesday, July 30
Semifinal 2
Tuesday, August 5
Final
-- Goal.com
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