Since this is the defacto MLS thread now too... what an absolutely fantastic MLS Cup final!
When you compare it to the CanPL Finals, its absolute night and day. No, I'm not referring to the fact that there's no players in CanPL at the level of Bradley, Lodeiro, Altidore, etc., I'm referring to the following:
1. Quality of Officiating: No clear botched calls, no allowance for excessive play acting, no loss of control of the game, no goals scored off officiating errors. Just let the two sides go at each other and kept tempers from flaring. The official had no influence on the game.
2. Class of the Teams: Sounders kept playing, TFC kept playing... Sounders parked the bus after goal 2, but still played soccer. The lack of cynical play was notable by both teams, and neither team went to curse out the opposing supporters.
3. Quality of Format: Supporters Shield means something, MLS Cup means something. LAFC gets a trophy for being the best in the season (and a CL berth), Sounders get a trophy for winning the playoff (and get a CL berth).
If CanPL wants to be a real Canadian Div 1... that's the bar. We don't expect $30m rosters or 70000 people in the stands any time soon, but the three points above are easily something within the league's control.
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