Following LAFC's CONCACAF Champions League final loss to Club Leon, head coach Steve Cherundolo claimed that keeping up with Liga MX sides will be difficult due to Major League Soccer's squad building format.
LAFC's young history is filled with success and now expectations to bring home the biggest honors possible. However, Cherundolo believed his side did everything they could to bring home the CCL, but Leon were simply the better team.
LAFC were looking to become the second consecutive MLS team to conquer the continental tournament, but fell just short in their second CCL final appearance. The Black and Gold were runners up in 2020 to Liga MX side Tigres UANL.
"Guys fought like lions," Cherundolo stated. "They did everything in their power to try to win this match. A few bounces don't go our way, early chances don't go in and then you let one in and you're chasing the game."
Cherundolo clarified in his post-game comments that MLS will have to have a different approach when it comes to squad building if their teams are to regularly compete in the CCL like Liga MX sides have done so successfully.
"The fact that we have to face, as an MLS team in tournaments like this, if you want to consistently compete in finals and win these, you're going to have to rethink your roster rules and regulations," Cherundolo bluntly stated. "You're at a big disadvantage. There's a little more money on their side of the table. And money in this game buys quality players."
The LAFC boss added: "But I think with our scheduling and all the competitions this year, we had a lot going on, and we ended up in the final not at our best moment. Roster building is about that, and having deeper rosters and more players – quality players on your team will allow you to extend those periods of play, and every MLS team is at a disadvantage there."
LAFC has a quick turnaround following Sunday night's loss when they host the up-and-down Atlanta United on Wednesday night.
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This article was originally published on 90min as Steve Cherundolo criticizes MLS format following CONCACAF Champions League loss.
