MLS Still Trails Liga MX After Columbus Crew Loss in Concacaf Champions Cup Final

Despite some progress in recent years, Major League Soccer remains a step behind Mexico's Liga MX in terms of overall quality, as evidenced by the Columbus Crew's loss to Pachuca in the Concacaf Champions Cup final. The Mexican league's superior financial resources and spending power continue to give its teams a significant advantage in continental competition.

The Columbus Crew's defeat in the Concacaf Champions Cup final to Pachuca has cast doubt on whether Major League Soccer (MLS) is truly close to surpassing Mexico's Liga MX as the top soccer league in North America. Despite gradual loosening of salary restrictions and the Seattle Sounders' triumph over Leon two years ago, MLS teams continue to struggle to match the success of their Mexican counterparts in continental competitions.

Liga MX boasts a dominant 19 wins in Concacaf competitions this millennium, while MLS has only managed two victories. The Crew's loss to Pachuca marks the latest in a string of disappointments for MLS teams in the region, with LAFC also falling to Leon in last year's final.

The altitude and financial disparity between MLS and Liga MX teams played a significant role in the Crew's defeat. Pachuca's Estadio Hidalgo is located 8,000 feet above sea level, giving the home team a distinct advantage. Additionally, Liga MX clubs are allowed to spend freely on players, while MLS teams are subject to salary restrictions.

Columbus's loss is particularly disappointing given their strong performance in the tournament, beating both Tigres and Monterrey to reach the final. However, the Crew's chances of victory were severely diminished by Pachuca's early goals and the altitude.

Salomón Rondón scored the opening goal for Pachuca less than 12 minutes into the contest, while Miguel Emilio Rodriguez Macías added a second 20 minutes later. Rondón completed the rout with a third goal in the second half, but the Crew's hopes of a comeback were effectively extinguished by the early deficit.

Columbus had a golden opportunity to score just before Rodriguez Macías's goal, but Cucho Hernandez's shot went wide. Hernandez had been out with an injury and his lack of match fitness may have contributed to the missed chance.

Despite the loss, Columbus remains in a strong position in the MLS regular season. They are currently in playoff position and have played four fewer games than the Eastern Conference leaders. The Crew will look to bounce back from their Champions Cup disappointment when they face New York City FC on Friday.

Pachuca, meanwhile, will celebrate their sixth Concacaf championship, their second since 2010. The Tuzos will return to action on July 30 when they visit the New York Red Bulls in the group stage of the Leagues Cup.

The Columbus Crew's loss to Pachuca underscores the challenges that MLS teams face in competing with Liga MX clubs. While MLS has made some progress in recent years, the Mexican league remains a more established and financially powerful competition. MLS teams will need to continue to improve and invest in their rosters if they want to truly challenge Liga MX for continental supremacy.

The Concacaf Champions Cup is the highest level of club football in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The tournament was originally known as the CONCACAF Champions' Cup and was first played in 1962. The current format of the tournament involves a group stage followed by a knockout round. The winner of the tournament represents the CONCACAF region in the FIFA Club World Cup.