The fourth annual edition of Superliga kicks off tonight amid little fan fare for a tournament that has lost a bit of luster over the years, but thanks to the performance of the U.S. National Team in South Africa, the presence of a pair of World Cup veterans are sure to generate interest.
This year's edition offers a bit of added intrigue as the inclusion of Americans Herculez Gomez as well as the presence of Jose Francisco Torres are sure to make Pachuca a favorite of U.S. fans. In addition to Pachuca, Superliga will also feature top Mexican club Pumas UNAM to highlight the Mexican contingent. The tournament consists of a number of MLS clubs who have had disappointing campaigns in league play and will be expected to use the tournament to build confidence for the second half of the season.
The tournament has drawn criticism as both nations are in different places in their fitness with Mexican club's still in preseason fitness while MLS sides will be at mid season conditioning, but despite the gaps in fitness we can expect some great games.
Here is the upcoming schedule:
(All Times Eastern)
Wednesday
8:00pm – Pumas UNAM vs. New England Revolution (Galavision)
9:30pm – Monarcas Morelia vs. Chicago Fire (Galavision)
Thursday
8:00PM – Pachuca vs. Houston Dynamo (Telefutura)
10:30PM – Puebla vs. Chivas USA (Telefutura)
Are you excited for Superliga to start? Will you be cheering for Pachuca with their USMNT connections more than an MLS side? Worried about the added schedule congestion for your MLS team? Hoping that your club brings home the trophy?
Share your thoughts Below.
what would these teams do without this tournament? They’re not going to Champions League, and the stadiums hosting would be empty. Its an opportunity for teams to test themselves against another league and sell a few drinks. Just because some MLS teams get blown away by far better competition doesn’t mean you quit.
I’m so excited and I just can’t hide it…
Lost a little luster over the years? I’d say this tournament outlived it’s purpose after year one, maybe year two. Particularly with two new teams entering the year and a balanced schedule necessitating more league games, the sooner this one is scrapped the better.
So whats the point of Europa League (UEFA CUP)…. they already have the champions league.
The only flaw with this competition is the lack of English speaking tv. Its not the first or second years of this. Yet MLS SUM, apparently managed by morons (just like the mlssoccer site) don’t get that this should be on more than Spanish TV.
Anyone who doesn’t watch these games is missing out. They are intense as hell.
Streaming online for free brotilda. I’m assuming you have the internet since you posted that comment.
Minimum salary is $40k brah, which is more than I make. I seem to be doing fine, but I’d hate to be an “underpaid” MLS player who plays soccer for a living.
So what? We have CCL for that. This is just a waste of time.
If you have MLS Matchday online package, the games will be broadcast in English. But unless you have it already, don’t pay $40 just for this.
why so much crying here. i always wanna see mls teams beat mexican teams. i hope my chivas “USA” take this and can’t wait to see them take on los gringos form pachuca i hope they draw though cuz i will be conflicted cuz im always country before club and wanna see yanks do go good no matter what club they play on.
Let me guess, MLS matches are more entertaining?
Whenever MLS teams take on Mexican League teams, MLS teams are pushed to the limit and take their ability up a notch. You see them play to their best whereas MLS matches most guys are sleep walking because everything is so predictable, thus they don’t try too hard to unsettle the opposing team’s defense.
I will watch it because I am hoping the Fire can catch fire and win the tournament. It’s the only hope for Chicago fans since they don’t have a shot at the MLS championship this season.
This still exists? Why?
I would watch if I actually got those two channels but since I don’t, who gives a crud?
^valid
hmmm… looking for the english language broadcast. Can’t seem to find it. ohh yeah now I remember this “Tourney” ain’t for the American fans it is for the Mexican fans. Nice job SUM, another lost opportunity to showcase your product to the english speaking fan. But I suppose since “soccer” isn’t really an American sport it doesn’t really matter. Go FCDallas, keep climbing the latter so you won’t have to deal with this crap next year.
Are these games at least online in INGLES? No offense to the spanish speaking audience, but can I just press the SAP button to watch in English.
I really like this tourney. Another chance for the USA to beat down on Mexico. I’ll be watching in Spanish if that’s the best we can do. Viva Chicago, NE, Houston, and Chivas ‘USA’
I’ll second that.
Not sure why some of you are whining. This involves MLS teams that ended 5-9. The top four teams go to CCL. Without superliga the rest of the MLS teams would be home continuing their mediocre level… and yes TFC would never be part of superliga or any other type of competition. They’re just not good enough. Even playing on a grass field there’s no hope for them.
I’m glad TFC will never have to participate in this.
stupid liga
Nice tourney, but it should be on FSC or Gol at least
I’ll be rooting for MLS pride, though at the same hoping Gomez and Torres have good games against Houston
i’ll be rooting for pachuca over houston
*Yawn*
The extra money MLS players get?
Hopefully it is more than the $1000 — for the team, $42 each — that Metro got a decade ago …
definitely rooting for the gringos and Pachuca for this one.
Remember that Pachuca will have Herculez Gomez, Jose Torres, and Marco Vidal. Houston’s a little beat up but I’m sure Dominic will have his boys focused for this game.
How about the third amigo at Pachuca – Marco Vidal?
Dynamo/Pachuca on Thursday should be a good one. They have created quite a rivalry over the last few years.
SuperLiga is a good way for the underpaid MLS players to earn some extra cash. Considering how little MLS players earn, every little bit helps. I really do not think SuperLiga is marketed and promoted enough by MLS/SUM. I like SuperLiga and am going to next Tuesday’s game to see the Fire-Pumas match.
So glad LA aren’t in this waste of a competition.
No, the Cutting Crew is opening for Kansas.
DCU wins, once again, by not having to be part of this moneygrab.
Columbus are playing the Jayhawks?
Yeah, I love SuperLiga. Like Eric K I’m not a LAG fan, but that Gal-Pachuca final in 2007 (?) was crazily entertaining.
I guess I would prefer more emphasis on CCL play, but SuperLiga is always entertaining.
I like the Superliga. I enjoyed watching the best Mexican teams in person when DC United was in it. The timing sucks for Mexico. But the timing of the final rounds of the Champions League sucks for MLS.
I always like the Superliga games – they’re consistently competitive contests. Good experience for a lot of the players, to play against some teams that have a different style. I’m not an LA fan, but I still watch the clip on YouTube from time to time of Chris Klein scoring in extra time on a bicycle kick.
Who cares? Just a bunch of meaningless games.
Crew is playing Kansas tonight.