MLS Weekend: Leadership

WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 26, 2008) USSoccerPlayers -- The New England Revolution and Chivas USA open the last step to making the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions Cup and Chicago gets a president.

In Champions League

For the cynical among us, New England and Chivas USA have the opportunity to add a lot of games to an already crowded schedule if they can get past the CONCACAF Champions LEague preliminary stage tonight and next week.  For the enthusiasts among us, the more the merrier from MLS in that group stage.

New England hasn't had an easy time of it after going the reserve route in the Open Cup semifinals, losing starting keeper Matt Reis, and letting Columbus catch them at the top of the Eastern Conference.  Joe Public might be the best team in Trinidad & Tobago, but New England have shown they can win minus their best players.  Compared to the Chivas USA experience, the Revs look like jackpot winners.

Chivas USA remain the most injury-prone club in Major League Soccer, and tonight they face Panama's Tauro FC minus sufficient scouting and their now common available players issue. 

"I don't know much about the opponent we are playing but going down there, we are looking for the win obviously. I think everybody is excited, despite how early we are here.  We want to win the trophy, we want to advance," Chivas USA defender Bobby Burling told MLSnet. "I was talking to a couple of the guys and nobody knew much about Tauro. It's going to be interesting and we are excited."

In Chicago

The Chicago Fire have named former Chicago Bears executive David Greeley as the club's president.  Of course there's a press release quote: "I am excited to be joining the Chicago Fire as they are clearly a dominant franchise in Major League Soccer,” said Greeley. “I am looking forward to working with everyone in the entire Fire organization, as well as ownership, to elevate the Fire to become even more successful.”