Among many noteworthy quotes when signing last week for the LA Galaxy, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez stated that MLS has taken bigger strides forward in recent years than Liga MX.
That declaration caught the ear of Tigres center back Diego Reyes, who’s also Hernandez's teammate with the Mexico national team.
“I think the recent [Concacaf Champions League] winners have been Mexican, and with that I answer the question,” Reyes recently told Mexican media.
Reyes’ point has merit. Mexican teams have won every version of the continental tournament since 2006. MLS teams made the 2011 (Real Salt Lake), 2015 (Montreal Impact) and 2018 (Toronto FC) finals, but have never raised the CCL trophy and with it a spot at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Yet, Hernandez enters MLS with a clear point-of-view after a decade of playing in Europe. His professional career began in 2006 with Liga MX side Chivas Guadalajara, and he’s also the all-time leading scorer for Mexico.
“I think MLS is getting very close,” Chicharito told MLSsoccer.com’s Calen Carr upon signing. “I think our country doesn’t want to admit that MLS is getting very close. ... And I think one of the reasons that MLS is growing so good is they learn, for example, from Liga MX and other leagues that they want to dream big and try to make this league as big as it can."
As the back-and-forth unfolds, MLS and Liga MX continue to grow closer. The 2020 MLS All-Star Game in Los Angeles that will see the cream of the crop in MLS compete against Liga MX’s best, and there’s also the burgeoning Campeones Cup and Leagues Cup competitions. Next month, five MLS teams will soon embark on 2020 CCL play, hoping to dethrone Liga MX.
