LAFC’s head coach Marc Dos Santos has expressed frustration with Major League Soccer’s (MLS) scheduling, particularly concerning their involvement in the Concacaf Champions Cup (CCC). His remarks come after LAFC’s narrow win over Toluca, where they secured a 2-1 victory in the semifinals at BMO Stadium.
Dos Santos Critiques MLS Scheduling
Following the match on Wednesday night, Dos Santos described the congestion of LAFC’s fixtures as a “scandal.” His team is navigating a demanding schedule, having played four matches in 11 days. Despite this challenge, they have managed to stay undefeated in the competition.
Dos Santos stated, “It’s hard. It’s very hard. To think that we arrive here undefeated, that it’s easy? No, this is not Championship Manager. It’s hard.”
Call for Support from MLS
The coach highlighted that other leagues often adjust domestic schedules to accommodate teams in continental competitions. He referred to South American clubs like Palmeiras and Flamengo, who receive support through rescheduled fixtures during critical stages of the tournament.
- South American clubs often receive adjustments in their domestic schedules for continental competition.
- European clubs like PSG have had fixtures moved for similar reasons.
In contrast, Dos Santos noted the relentless Saturday-Wednesday schedule LAFC has been subjected to, questioning who is responsible for the current scheduling decisions. He remarked on the impracticality of expecting players to perform at peak levels under such strain.
Upcoming Matches and Player Rotation
Looking ahead, LAFC will face San Diego FC in an away match before traveling back to Mexico for the second leg against Toluca. Dos Santos indicated that this grueling sequence will necessitate rotating players to ensure they remain competitive.
He emphasized, “Saturday we have to go to San Diego and you have to go there to win. Then we have to go at home against Houston, then St. Louis, then Nashville.”
At present, LAFC sits in third place in the Western Conference, boasting 20 points from 10 matches. The coach’s concerns about the MLS schedule reflect a larger issue of balancing league demands with the aspirations of clubs competing internationally in the CCC.
As LAFC prepares for their upcoming matches, the pressure mounts on the organization and the league to find a solution that supports teams engaged in multiple competitions.
