MLS on the Verge of Overtaking Liga MX?

MLS and Liga MX have formed a close alliance over the last few years and their rivalry has also became more imprint as MLS improves every year. I brought on Eric Gomez of ESPN Mexico to talk about both leagues and Concacaf Champions Cup
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[@MLSMoves]

Will MLS pass Liga MX soon?

[@mrmr5580]

I reckon so, as MLS continues improving, Liga MX is getting worse, you're not quite there yet, but I reckon you will pass it in the not too distant future

[@HarveyWallbangers2]

Yes. The writing is on the wall. In a lot of ways, it already has. However, there are a handful of Liga MX teams that spend more than MLS teams. Once the salary cap is high enough that most MLS teams will be spending as much as the highest spending Liga MX teams, it’s over.

[@mrmr5580]

@HarveyWallbangers2 I agree, I think in about 5-10 years time, they will, I reckon they'll have probably raised the cap by then

[@MLSMoves]

@@mrmr5580 this is the closest they’ve ever been and it won’t be long imo.

[@MLSMoves]

@@HarveyWallbangers2 I think MLS might be better already from top to bottom but Liga MX has better top end teams atm.

[@stevenygabbyperez695]

The number one goal above all others that MLS needs to accomplish is to become a "mainstream" American sport. It is not a competition with any other soccer league. If they can have a fanbase anywhere near the NBA or MLB, they will be the richest soccer league in the world. Win the US, and we win the world. The American sports model is proven and works better than any other sports model at generating revenue.

[@waynebender1032]

Then MLS needs to act like a big league and let teams spend and significantly rise the salary cap.

[@HarveyWallbangers2]

@@waynebender1032 Unfortunately, they don't have that kind of support yet .Yes, they are like the 6th or 7th most attended league in the world, but their TV ratings have never been great. That's where the big money lies. If American fans who only watch EPL and Liga MX also watched MLS, I think MLS could get near the top 6 leagues soon. I think they are on the edge of the top 10 now, but not quite there yet. The Apple deal gives each team less than $10m/year. Most MLS teams generate less than $50m/year, and much of that budget has gone to infrastructure (SSSs, training grounds) and academies. They've had to build from the ground up. However, I think they are close to being able to increase the salary cap relatively substantially.

[@brando7266]

Mlb and nba make about 10 billion a yr, it's gonna take at least a decade, for mls to get close,

[@shamrockshawtty]

​@waynebender1032 I was just about to say they need to dump these kooky transfer rules

[@davidday2373]

Dude, if MLS reaches MLB or NBA level of fandom we would DOMINATE the Soccer world. We would be able to buy practically all the players we wanted (but that will never happen). A more realistic goal is reaching the level of the NHL. MLS at the NHL-level would mean the league would be among the 3rd to 6th best in the Soccer world. MLS would be full of UEFA Europa League Group Stage-caliber of teams (e.g. Rangers, Napoli, Marseille, Ajax, West Ham, Olympiacos, Real Betis, PSV, Lazio, Union Berlin, Sporting CP, Rennes, Roma, Starpa Prague, Brighton & Hove, Bayer Leverkusen, Braga, Genk, etc) with maybe 4 to 6 teams at a higher level.

[@zenace33]

I love that you’re pumping out MLS specific content, but you have to know your stuff - the CONCACAF Champions Cup final is not a 2-leg affair. It is a single game in Pachuca on June 1. Vamos Columbus. Should be decent traveling support there actually, so hopefully MLS can grab a win here.

[@MLSMoves]

Yes you are correct that it is a single match

[@HarveyWallbangers2]

@@MLSMoves I don't know why they changed it. It's always been 2 legs, but they changed it to 1 leg during COVID, change it back to 2 legs the last couple of years, and now changed it to 1 leg. It's really unfortunate for Columbus.

[@joeyfosterWVU]

Great video.....

[@MLSMoves]

Have to keep them coming!

[@HarveyWallbangers2]

This guy was a good guest.

[@MLSMoves]

He’s been covering Liga MX for a long time! Glad he was able to come on!

[@RDRevolver8282]

The opta power rankings have MLS ahead right now.

[@MLSMoves]

Not everyone recognizes that as the best measurement. Many Liga MX fans will say we haven’t passed them until we win CCC consistently

[@RDRevolver8282]

@@MLSMoves I think that's somewhat a fair argument considering Liga MX is pretty much the only competition in the CCC and they aren't that much better (or worse) than MLS.

[@HarveyWallbangers2]

@@MLSMoves The only problem is that's not the only way to evaluate a league. Most foreign leagues are top heavy, so judging only the top team or two ignores the depth of a league.

[@michaelpeli2429]

What I like about Leagues Cup is that I get to see the rest of LigaMX teams, instead of just the same 4-6 teams. I think MLS will keep getting better, and these same top MX teams will keep spending what it takes to keep up, but I think the bottom half will lag farther and farther behind. Just like whats happening in other European leagues. Maybe the next step is to be equal with Argentina and Brazil with increased improvement and more history. Plus, now that we have both Mexican and US players moving between both leagues, that only helps with the rivalry.

[@MLSMoves]

I love the concept of it. I wish it was more fair traveling wise and that it didn’t happen every year though. It’s very entertaining

[@HarveyWallbangers2]

@@MLSMoves I don't care about the travel. Liga MX owners don't even want that. This tournament caters to Mexican fans in the USA. Mexican teams get so much support that games are almost neutral anyways. Now, the top Mexican teams won't have to travel as much. Also, it's about time Mexican teams had a disadvantage. They've had the major advantage of having the Champions Cup during the MLS offseason (for many years) or early in our season (recently). Their fans have never acknowledged that, so I'm not hearing any whining up the Leagues Cup setup.

[@ElondonOSRS]

Do you think Columbus will beat Pachuca Moves? I think they will!

[@MLSMoves]

I think they will win now that Pachuca has so much time off. Will be close though

[@HarveyWallbangers2]

@@MLSMoves If I had to bet, I'd go with Pachuca. That altitude is tough, and Pachuca has been dominating in this tournament. It's unfortunate they changed the finals to one leg (which they've only done during the COVID years in the past). Otherwise, I would have liked the Crew's chances. I have adopted Pachuca as my Liga MX team, so a small part of me would be happy for them. Pachuca caught my eye in Leagues Cup last year with how they played without the normal CONCACAF shenanigans. They aren't one of the super clubs in Mexico. I like their focus on youth. Also, their town seems great, and their fans seem sane.

[@marin2435]

Great conversation!

[@MLSMoves]

Thank you!

[@gbanuelos01]

The CC final is single leg this year, just so you know, Columbus isn't getting a home game

[@pcoleman1971]

Geography / demographics is a big factor on whether this question even matters. In some MLS cities there is a very small Latino population, and their fans don't care about Liga MX. When my team (Vancouver) hosted two Mexican sides last summer for the Leagues Cup, the attendance was much less than an average MLS match. Attendance was comparable to a Canadian Championship match against a lower tier team from the Canadian Premier League. Yes, it is a large market in the US, but for a number of teams, the Leagues Cup was not important for their fans or the teams themselves. It showed in terms of the rosters and the play on the field. Many teams rested players, preparing for the final push of the MLS season.

[@MLSMoves]

Leagues Cup is the biggest thing I’ve seen happen to MLS in a long time. Messi definitely had a part in it but having every Liga MX team playing in a tournament with you was quite the spectacle!

[@pcoleman1971]

@@MLSMoves Clearly you are in a different environment from me. In my area, Cascadia (Seattle, Portland, Vancouver in MLS), most people didn't care.

[@orlandomartinez4085]

It’s at the very least in equal footing now. There are a lot of areas MLS has surpassed liga MX but also viceversa

[@gerhernz1698]

Great discussion! Love the opposing opinions yet professional respect!!

[@MLSMoves]

We have another video coming out Thursday!

[@gerhernz1698]

@@MLSMoves looking forward! Fantastic content man!!! 👍👍 (ps. DannyTradio wouldn't be a bad guest as well hehehe)

[@Coolwhip899]

The competitiveness' of MLS with other leagues will all be determined by the MLS salary cap compared to what other leagues are spending. It's going to happen its just the timeline that's debatable

[@MLSMoves]

I think there is more to it than just salary cap. I think coaching has to get better as well

[@Coolwhip899]

@@MLSMoves I would assume a raise of salary cap will also raise front office salaries even if it lags a little behind

[@wilsongv95]

DID YOU SEE NYCFC VS REDBULLS??? BAKRAR LOOKING SOLID

[@HarveyWallbangers2]

He seems like a good dude. It seemed like a big relief for him. He's had a lot of opportunities, so maybe the goals will start coming for him.

[@brando7266]

Yeah, he finally scored a goal,

[@JaimeSoto-yz5bw]

Loved this video 👏🏻 As an MLS Fan I won’t lie and say I did not worry when Eric mentioned that The Leagues Cup could potentially strengthen Liga MX with all the money they’re making and how could they eventually spend more on players 🥺😢😭 MLS needs to get rid of the salary cap or raise it before it’s too late!!!! 😩

[@MLSMoves]

I don’t think they will ever get rid of it but they need to increase it enough to compete on the global stage

[@JaimeSoto-yz5bw]

@@MLSMoves agree!

[@stevenygabbyperez695]

Don't worry. LigaMX is already cooked they just don't know it yet. If MLS were organized like Liga MX, where all of the best players were on a handful of teams, MLS would already dominate head to head. Liga MX can profit all they want, but they will never become a "mainstream" league in this country while MLS is all but guaranteed to get there one day.

[@siglo2764]

@@MLSMoves you need to sp[read the foreign imports out thropugh the league not just to inter miami or lafcor you will become two one team copnfrences

[@oyaml1211]

​@@stevenygabbyperez695this is the problem with Liga MX. Most of the talent is concentrated on 3 teams. Teams like Pachuca who overachieved will sell their best players to Monterrey, Tigres and America making Pachuca irrelevant for several seasons until they pick up again. We see this with Pachuca, Santos, Atlas, San Luis etc. all the time.

[@davidday2373]

MLS Payroll has been DOUBLING every 5 to 6 years, mean average, since 2010. If the trend continues, MLS Payrolls will be nearly $35 million by 2028 and $70 million 10 years from now. Liga MX is not going to keep up with that rate of growth, neither will most other leagues in the world. MLS will catch and surpass many leagues, not only Liga MX... MLS will be full of teams comparable to PSV, Ajax, Feyenoord, Tigres, America, Monterrey, Benfica, Porto, Flamengo, Palmeiras, Gremio, River and Boca, in about 10 years.

[@waynebender1032]

MLS surpassing Liga MX is something I have to see to believe. Liga MX could also get better since they also benefit from leagues cup.

[@davidday2373]

@@waynebender1032 Liga MX is stagnant, compared to MLS's growth rate. They'll increase Payroll too, but not at the same rate that MLS will.

[@orlandomartinez4085]

@@davidday2373maybe this’ll put a fire on Liga Mx to get their stuff together. Would be interesting to see

[@chrisvance2562]

They need to raise the floor and ceiling of the cap. If you want a top to bottom strong league, that’s the way to do it. If you just raise the ceiling, it’s going to be like the European leagues and Liga MX.

[@MLSMoves]

I think that’s part of it but they need to do a couple other things as well

[@alanwylie7207]

Who do you guys think is gonna win the Liga MX final club America or Cruz Azul?

[@alanwylie7207]

Let’s just have all the big market teams in the US and Mexico split off from everyone else create their own league where they can do whatever they want to and then we’ll be happy Get a few TV deals and everything‘s Good

[@siglo2764]

light years away

[@MLSMoves]

Nah lol

[@siglo2764]

@@MLSMoves just inter Miami and latch will be competitive possibly colombus

[@orlandomartinez4085]

@@siglo2764USA has been catching up very fast at the very least. I think it’s only a matter of time now before they surpass Liga Mx

[@alanwylie7207]

The salary kept my opinion is BS. The MLS is only hurting itself with said salary cap remove that and everything‘s OK.