#INSERT type:image caption:Major League Soccer on Tuesday said it was open to a proposal from Mexican League owners that teams from both leagues play in Copa MX. END#
Major League Soccer on Tuesday said it was open to a proposal from Mexican League owners that teams from both leagues play in Copa MX.
On Monday, Mexican league president Decio de Maria said league owners during Monday's owners meetings discussed the possibility of adding MLS teams in the Copa MX as soon as 2016. League owners did not say how the proposal would be scheduled in addition to CONCACAF Champions League.
De Maria said the owners feel a dual nation Cup competition is a possibility and MLS confirmed it would consider the discussion.
"As Commissioner [Don] Garber recently mentioned in his State of the League address, we believe the more competition we can have between MLS and Liga MX clubs, whether in official tournaments or exhibition tournaments, is a positive for both leagues," said Todd Durbin, MLS vice president for player relations and competition. "We have a strong relationship with the Mexican Football Federation and Liga MX and are open to exploring opportunities to continue to work together to continue the growth of the game in this region."
De Maria said the Mexican league is studying the idea as a way to draw fans to the Copa MX, which runs parallel to the league championship. De Maria said dates for the Liga MX's Clausura 2015 tournament were also set, with the season running from Jan. 9-May 31.
"What we've started to evaluate is a tournament with a bi-national context with our partners in MLS," De Maria told reporters. "But it is just a project that is under evaluation with the United States and it is just a possibility."
Earlier this year, CONMEBOL president Juan Angel Napout said he would consider adding CONCACAF sides, particularly MLS clubs, to the Copa Libertadores tournament.