Houston Bounced

Houston was knocked out of the Concacaf Champions League last night in a tough 3-0 loss down in Cancun Mexico. Houston didn't look particularly sharp to me at any point in the game last and that's not good when you're going into a road game a goal down. The total aggregate score from the game last night was 5-1, ouch. At least the Dynamo made a run of it in the CCL, all other MLS sides were knocked out long ago at this point. Overall MLS did not put out a good showing this time in the Champions League, something that should be a serious concern for the league. This group stage should be the earliest that any MLS team should be knocked out of the CCL in my opinion. Many are pointing to the USL's success in the compilation as an embarrassment for MLS, and I agree. Houston is probably better side than the two remaining USL sides, and has proven their better than at least Montreal. They couldn't get it done when it counted, though and that's a problem.

In the next edition of the CCL MLS will be represented by Columbus, New York, Houston and DC. Columbus has a deep squad and should be able to make it to the knock out phase easily. Houston with their experience this year and an intact core of players means they should as well. On the bubble will be DC and NY both squads have the talent to push aside smaller Caribbean and Central American squads, but both squads aren't nearly as deep as the Crew or Dynamo. This lack of depth could be their downfall as the glut of games that comes mid season will strain on them even more. Couple that with DC needing to reassert themselves in the regular season again their CCL chances look even more grim. In the end of course only time will tell which squads will meet with success or failure, but one thing is clear. MLS should not tolerate another poor CCL showing like this year's again, next year every MLS squad should make the knock outs, bare minimum.

Sound off, what are your thoughts on MLS' CCL troubles.