CCL Update: All MLS Final?? It’s possible.

The impossible seems slightly more probable every day

With the quarter-final closeout of Tigres and Herediano this week, the buzz surrounding American soccer begins and ends with one question:

Can Major League Soccer place two teams in the CONCACAF Champions League Final?

Why Not?

For those who remember, US-Based soccer came enticingly close a few years back when MLS side Real Salt Lake, up 1-0 with the final leg at Rio Tinto, fell to current champion Monterrey.

Currently, the 2013 version of the Monterrey club stands in the way of both the championship and regional double aspirations of the 2012 MLS crown-holders the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The in-form Galaxy have faired well in the early stages of the MLS season despite the loss of long-time leader and USMNT star Landon Donovan. To soften the sting associated with the former captain’s self-imposed “sabbatical,” LA has relied heavily on a cast more than capable of picking up the slack.

Irish star and fan favorite Robbie Keane appears ready for the transition into team leader as he has picked up both the scoring slack and the ‘star’ leadership void left by both Donovan and departed Designated Player David Beckham.

The team also benefits from the experience and professionalism of stalwarts Omar Gonzalez and Mike Magee.  Their steady play provides a pivotal component in dampening the loss of Donovan and facilitating the emergence of young players like Jose Villareal and Jack McBean.

The Seattle Sounder Football Club face an experienced Santos Laguna team that features US international and former MLS forward Herc Gomez. The Sounders will no doubt look to feed from the energy of last Tuesday’s electrifying defeat of current Liga MX leaders UNAM Tigres.

The shale-clad Northwestern side looks to continue the fine offensive play that saw them score three highlight worthy goals to vanquish a 10-man Tigres squad that curiously fielded a reserve-laden team in the quarterfinal’s deciding match.

The question remains: Can Los Angeles and Seattle match the hype with semi-final success?

Sure they can. Both Seattle and Los Angeles come into the round with the experience and depth to move forward. Fittingly, they face off versus the two Mexican sides that have captured the CCL title over the last several tournaments.

No doubt, the recent play of both MLS sides will cause the Mexican teams to approach the round with the appropriate amount of caution.

In reality, the same may not have been said for previous MLS semifinalists Toronto and Salt Lake. Either way, league leaders and American fans alike with enjoy the best chance yet at seeing a domestic side capture the title and earn a birth in the Club World Cup.

This mere presence of two strong sides this late in the tournament bodes well for both the growth of the sport and the strength of regional soccer as a whole.