Mac Kandji is the kind of USL talent dominating Champions League – and that MLS needs to mine
By BRIAN LEWIS
Red Bull striker Macoumba Kandji, just acquired on loan from the Atlanta Silverbacks, is one of three finalists for USL Player of the Year. And if he’s not a good enough endorsement for USL talent, just check out the league’s sterling CONCACAF Champions League mark, putting MLS to shame.
Kandji led the USL in scoring earlier in the season, eventually finishing fourth in goals (11) and tied for third in points (27). The 23-year-old’s campaign was abbreviated by injuries and coming to RBNY, making his debut as a late substitute Saturday and notching an assist.
And while the young Senegalese striker’s future emergence should reflect well on USL down the road, that stunning 6-0-4 CONCACAF record after Montreal Impact’s upset of CD Olimpia last night says a lot about their present. MLS? A humiliating 0-6-3 in the tournament.
I know MLS teams are stretched thin between league tilts, Champions League, U.S. Open Cup and InterLiga, but those numbers can’t be alibied. Or ignored.
The Montreal Impact lead CONCACAF Group C at 2-0-1, three points clear of second-place Atlante, which has a goal in hand. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico Islanders, led by USL Player of the Year finalist Jonathan Steele and Goalkeeper of the Year Bill Gaudette _ remember him from Red Bulls camp this winter? _ lead Group D at 2-0-1, ahead of Tauro FC.
Meanwhile, on the MLS side of things, two of the four teams have been eliminated while D.C. and Houston sit in the cellar of Groups A and B, respectively. United lost 1-0 at home to Cruz Azul Wednesday, 0-3 in the tournament and still waiting for their first goal. Yes, it’s that bad.
The best MLS showing has been two-time MLS Cup champion Houston tying Pumas 4-4; but even that came after the Dynamo blew a 2-0 lead.
What do you think of the MLS’ dismal showing so far? Think the fixture congestion and lack of depth is too much to handle? Does seeing Red Bulls midfielder Matthew Mbuta _ just acquired from USL-2 side Crystal Palace Baltimore _ scoring four minutes into his debut raise your opinion of USL?