MLS vs EPL 'Anglo-American Cup' a possibility

Jul 27, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; MLS commissioner Don Garber greets Tottenham Hotspur players during the MLS All-Star welcome reception at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Major League Soccer is seriously considering the possibility of fielding teams against Britain’s best in an official, competitive competition (as opposed to the current friendly/exhibition games) in the near future according to MLS commissioner Don Garber. This would be a huge step for the league and something definitely exciting, but with a feeling of trepidation too. It would face a lot of logistical hurdles. But it is not impossible.

Commissioner Garber, who has been in charge of Major League Soccer since 1999 confirmed both leagues had held talks about the possibilities of holding a competition.

“We have been talking to the Premier League about doing some sort of official competition as opposed to just having clubs come over to the country on a random basis playing in a tournament that takes place every summer,” Garber said.

“I would love to find a way that we could play our cup champion and our league champion against an FA Cup and league champion in a tournament and play it in New York City every year.

“If not every year, then every four years.

The Community Shield takes place in England, where the winners of the FA Cup face-off against the Premier League champions to open the season. This year saw Chelsea lose against FA Cup holders Arsenal. So a similar concept would be used in this ‘transatlantic supercup’.

The mention of New York City as the host is deliberate – it is seen as a key market in MLS and as such has two teams – New York Red Bulls and New York City. Not to mention the availability of world-class facilities and financial opportunities that travelling fans would bring.

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It also seems as if Major League Soccer want to keep it in the States rather than fly out to England which would make sense especially if it does take place in summer because of course the league is well underway. Plus, British teams are already in the United States on pre-season.

But it is this exact point that complicates things. How can it be made legitimate, and not another ‘International Champions Cup’ exhibition tournament that means nothing at all and if anything is rather messy/ It took place in the United States. And Australia. And China. Under the same name with little distinction or direction. Winning the Cup meant very little as opposed to the multi-million dollar fee paid to participating teams. You win by just turning up and playing a couple of youth players.

The EPL-MLS Cup must not become that or there is simply no point. Pack your bags everyone, we’re going home. It’s been fun. No but seriously – if neither side will take it seriously then just stick to glorified friendlies, don’t make a trophy and try and pass it off as an important competition. If that happens then it just unfair on the fans.

…if the Cup is going to be a competitive one then teams will need to field full-strength teams as they would any other competition. Easier said than done for MLS teams halfway through their league campaign…

This meant teams from both leagues played reserve teams, and young players. There is nothing wrong with this in pre-season but if the Cup is going to be a competitive one then teams will need to field full-strength teams as they would any other competition. Easier said than done for MLS teams halfway through their league campaign so the incentives for winning must be really good for it to work out.

Garber did not rule out something closer to home. He even mentioned Liga MX as an alternative.

“This concept of super cups involving the MLS, whether it’s one with Mexico or one with some of the other leagues, would be smart.

“And many years ago they used to take place before MLS was in existence. It was called the Toyota Cup. That took place around the world.

“Overall there is no doubt that there are opportunities for the MLS and Premier League to work more closely together on either a tournament or some other type of activity, but that is about as far as it has gone.”

Both are seen as lucrative markets for one another, and of course the shared and storied history between Great Britain and the United States makes it almost inevitable that such a competition will one day be held. There was the ‘Champions Shield’ between Sporting Kansas City and Manchester City but again, both fielded very different teams to their normal team because it actually meant nothing.

MLS vs EPL ‘Anglo-American Cup’ a possibility – Don Garber

By Jack Williams | Sep 9, 2015

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