The Worst Logo in Professional Soccer
The first ever edition of the Leagues Cup started last night with the Chicago Fire facing Cruz Azul. Leading up to the start of the competition I said PLENTY about Leagues Cup on the MLS Aces Podcast. This is a money grabbing competition, MLS roster’s don’t have the depth, MLS teams have financial restrictions compared to Liga MX teams, and the logo is disgusting (maybe Jason Vevang should have created it). There are fans of both leagues that have come out saying they will refuse to watch this, this doesn’t mean anything, and what is the point. I still think I agree with those points; why add another competition between these two leagues after failures in the past, CONCACAF Champions League, and the Campeones Cup. Also, on top of this, before even playing a game there was an announcement that the Leagues Cup will expand to 16 teams in 2020… great…
So in Bridgeview last night the Fire lost to Cruz Azul 2-0 in what seemed like an away game for the Fire. The crowd was a sea of blue and it was honestly a little embarrassing as a fan of MLS and its teams (especially against Mexican teams). Let’s start with Cruz Azul, they had 69% possession, they had 7 shots on target compared to the Fire’s 1, and completely outplayed the Fire. Now for the Fire, they started their 3rd string keeper, an 18 making his first appearance for the club, and three other young players who are not normal starters. It was not a great showing from MLS it is just another example of MLS having 0 self awareness when it comes to global competition. Stop having MLS teams face clubs like Atletico Madrid for an All Star Game, or forcing these competitions with Liga MX who have no budget restrictions and TONS of DP level talent.
Yes, the LA Galaxy defeated Club Tijuana last night while playing a lot of youngsters too… I get it. But if you actually watched the game, Tijuana should have won the game numerous times. Regulation ended 2-2 and it seemed like failed chance after failed chance for Tijuana. But, to give the Galaxy credit, Efrain Alvarez, Ema Boateng, and Giancarlo Gonzalez showed up and performed. Eventually, the Galaxy won in PKs and they will move on to face Cruz Azul. But a lucky performance and win shouldn’t justify a competition and more games on the slate of these MLS players.
