Maybe it will be different this fall when the CONCACAF Champions League kicks off, but for now the bitter taste of another CONCACAF Champions Cup failure should make MLS fans wonder when their clubs will show their true value in this regional tournament. While either Mexico's Pachuca or Costa Rica's Deportivo Saprissa will rule the region again, we're left to wonder just why MLS teams trip at this regional hurdle.

This time, certainly, we didn't come away with the sense that Pachuca or Saprissa was markedly superior to D.C. United or Houston. Indeed, had the Dynamo made something of their chances in the first leg at Houston the return in Costa Rica might not have been so one-sided. Full value to Saprissa for nailing it at home, something Houston could not accomplish.

The D.C.-Pachuca series was even more difficult to assess. Good as the Mexicans are -- and their consistency over the past 18 months has been terrific -- D.C. never quite seemed to display the urgency needed in a regional semifinal. They didn't show to full quality in the first leg on the road and were too slow to approach the challenge of fighting from a two-goal deficit in the return match. Pachuca had far too much of the ball and too much space in a match where D.C. needed to go for the jugular immediately.

(As an aside, there was very strange disconnect post-match, when coach Tom Soehn told the TV audience he believed DC had been in Pachuca’s half of the field for almost 80% of the match. That simply wasn’t true, as anyone who watched the game could have seen for himself.)

It's easy to suggest that MLS teams have been at a huge disadvantage in this event because they are meeting teams in mid-season form while just starting their own campaigns. It is also correct to observe that neither MLS team caught a break from the league, which might have thought about easing their season-opening schedule to allow a bit more breathing space for the regional qualifiers.

Those are excuses, however. MLS teams are plenty good enough to win regional honors and the excuses will be considerably lamer should the clubs fail in the new format which CONCACAF will launch. Although some of the Champions League dates may clash with important MLS end-of-season games or playoff contests, our entrants should be expected to succeed. Even MLS commissioner Don Garber admits there’s a problem, telling Soccer America that “we have to do better.” His candor is refreshing, and he’s right.

Just as the American national team has established itself as the team to beat in CONCACAF, MLS clubs have to aim for that status themselves. It's the obvious next step to be taken.

From the official FIFA release:

In relation to the allegations made against vice-president Jack A. Warner and the Simpaul Travel company with regard to World Cup ticketing, the FIFA Executive Committee followed the recommendation of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee chaired by Marcel Mathier (Switzerland) and closed the file. The recommendation reads as follows:

The Executive Committee expresses disapproval of vice-president Jack A. Warner’s conduct and reminds him to exercise the requisite level of care in ticketing matters in the future and to strictly abide by all directives.
Jack A. Warner should, in particular, ensure that his son, Daryan Warner, does not abuse the position held by his father.
 

UPDATED: Anyone reading this in the UK might wish to tune into Panorama on Dec 10, to watch Andrew Jennings attempt to confront Mr. Warner about this. Everyone anywhere else...well, it would not be proper of me to suggest a copyright-defeating thing thing like Bit Torrent.

The BCC tonight is reporting that Bolton manager Sam Allardyce, a former candidate to coach the England national team, is involved in a transfer bribe scandal. Two agents —Teni Yerima and Peter Harrison  — claim to have made the payments (nicknamed "bungs") to Allardyce to secure transfers. The allegations follow the claims of Luton Town manager Mike Newell, who said freelance agent Charles Collymore offered him money as well. In addition, the BBC fingered Southampton manager Harry Redknapp and Chelsea's Frank Arnsen. 

The news comes on the heels of a report detailing that Newcastle United lied to a VAT and Duties commission about how much money they had spent on transfers and agents.

In other news, Jack Warner has struck back at allegations he touted World Cup tickets, claiming he was set up, and issuing a press release stating that he would be filing a defamation lawsuit. Warner has been a pivotal figure in the FIFA government under Sepp Blatter, and is no stranger to controversy. For a stomach-turning look at just how in the muck Warner apparently is, see Andrew Jennings' excellent book Foul, which is currently unavailable in the USA. And go try to find a copy of the book "Badfellas" by Andrew Tomlinson and John Sugden. It's riveting stuff for FIFA wonks.

 

The scandal finally comes to roost: Jack Warner is under the gun again. Watch for more on this and remember: This is the SECOND time Warner has been questioned over ticket sales and the fifth (by my count) that he has been accused of impropriety.

Asian Fed head Mohammed bin Hammam told Asian news agencies yesterday that he believed "a lack of professionalism among Asian domestic clubs and leagues" was the cause for his region's poor showing at the Cup.

"It is my belief that this defeat is because of poor competition structures, particularly club competitions, both at national and confederation level," he said. "We will not see any improvement at the international standard unless we restructure and improve the professionalism in our clubs and in our leagues. We need to professionalise all aspects of the game, including administration and management, to really create professional leagues comparative with those outside Asia."

Huh.

It would be nice to hear something similar out of the mouths of Jack Warner and Chuck Blazer.