The rivalry between Mexico and the United States is one of the best in the world and the greatest in Concacaf. A match between these two national teams always draws in a crowd and is guaranteed to be a vehement encounter.
The leagues of these two countries (Major League Soccer and Liga MX) have long been a story of dominance. Some would argue the tale of Liga MX dominance will never die. Tigres defeating LAFC in the CONCACAF Champions League Final on Tuesday would suggest the pendulum of soccer superiority is still heavily in Liga MX’s favor.
Critics of MLS are quick to forget LAFC defeated three of Liga MX’s best in its path to the final. Statistics show that Mexico’s noisy neighbor to the north has been slowly pulling even in the past two years.
So MLS teams are now 13-2-15 (W-D-L) against Liga MX clubs since 2018 and have been victorious in 7 of 16 matchups.
That's not 50/50, but it's close enough that you'd expect to win one of these things sooner or later, god dammit.— Jamie Hill (@_jameshill) December 20, 2020
With the teams becoming a little more evenly matched, what if MLS and Liga MX combined into one giant super league? It’s an insane idea that will likely never happen, but let’s weigh some pros and cons to what I will now refer to as Liga MLS.
Yes, I am highly aware that the name is “League Major League Soccer”.
Pros And Cons Of Liga MLS
Pros
1. We Will Never Have To Watch A Seattle Vs. Toronto MLS Cup Again
I know I’m not the only American soccer fan tired of seeing Toronto and the damn Sounders competing for the MLS Cup. Four of the last five MLS Cup games have had at least Seattle or Toronto participating with three of those finals being Seattle vs. Toronto.
The introduction of the big boys from Liga MX will surely rid the league of this recurring issue.
2. New Rivalries
Every game between a Mexican club and an American club will have a little extra spice to it. National pride will be on the line each time. Here are several new rivalries that fans could look forward to.
Border Battles: Tijuana vs. LAFC/LA Galaxy and Juárez vs. Houston Dynamo
Capital Counterparts: D.C. United vs. Club América/Pumas/Cruz Azul
Battle of the Bottlers: Minnesota United vs. Cruz Azul
3. Biggest League In The World
If the rest of the MLS expansion teams are included, Liga MLS could feature 48 clubs (30 MLS and 18 Liga MX). Having a league of 48 clubs would be impossible.
The solution? RELEGATION BABY.
Split the league into two tiers of 24 teams. There could be the Premier Liga MLS and the Liga MLS Championship. Bottom three of the Premier Liga get relegated with the top three of the Championship getting promoted.
Here's where it could get really interesting: the bottom SIX of the Championship get relegated with the three best USL and Liga de Expansión MX clubs getting moved up.
This would be dream come true.
Cons
1. MLS Clubs Might Never Win A Title
One giant thorn in the side of this masterplan is that MLS might not be able to win a league title. This has obviously been the case with the Concacaf Champions League/Champions’ Cup as a Mexican club won for the 15th straight year following Tigres' victory.
MLS is close to pulling even with Liga MX, but America’s league isn’t quite there yet.
2. Travel Would Be Ridiculous
I don’t think the Canadian clubs will be too thrilled about having to make six-hour flights every other week in order to play away games in Mexico. At the end of the day, North America is a big-ass continent that would make a super league quite challenging.
3. No More MLS Expansion Teams
This can be either a pro or a con depending on how you look at things. The past decade has brought a wave of new clubs and the announcement of new clubs. In 2010, MLS consisted of 16 teams. By 2023 there will be 30 clubs.
An additional 18 clubs from Mexico will all but put an end to expansion efforts. This will definitely put a damper on things for expansion candidates like Las Vegas, Phoenix, Detroit, Louisville, San Diego and Indianapolis.
