CCC: DC, Dynamo dumped

Both MLS clubs participating in the CONCACAF Champions Cup have been bounced from the competition. Despite beating Mexican club Pachuca 2-1 in the home leg, DC United was defeated 3-2 on aggregate thanks to a sub-par away performance. Houston fared even worse against Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica, losing 3-0 in the away match and failing to score a goal in either leg.

While many pundits will point to the timing of these matches to explain away poor performance by the MLS squads (it is after all only the second week of the season), the poor away performances by both clubs does little to dispel the criticism that the American game (whether that be club or country) suffers homesickness whenever they are away from comfy confines. Not to mention that this is exactly the same stage that both clubs were bounced from the tournament last year.

Meanwhile, CONCACAF is planning on canceling the tournament in favor of a regional, Champions League-like competition. Any change is probably welcome by the MLS sides who have managed to win the tournament only twice in the eleven years that MLS has participated (1999 - DC United, 2000 - Los Angeles).