Efraín Juárez, the head coach of Pumas, has provided insights on the growing competitiveness between Liga MX and Major League Soccer (MLS). Having played in the MLS with Portland and served as an assistant coach for New York City FC, where he celebrated championship success, Juárez’s perspective on the league differences is significant.
He recently addressed the shocking 7-0 defeat of Cruz Azul against Seattle in the Leagues Cup, which has stirred discussions within the Mexican football community. While he refrained from explicitly commenting on Cruz Azul’s performance, he emphasized that the level of play in the MLS has significantly improved over the years, making it comparable to that of Liga MX.
Juárez defended the reputation of MLS by highlighting that many in Mexico continue to view it as inferior, a perspective that is outdated. He noted, “The truth is that I can’t comment on teams that are not mine… I can say that the MLS has seen exponential growth over the last decade.” He underscored that the perception of MLS as the same league from 20 or 30 years ago does not hold true anymore.
As Pumas prepares for their upcoming match against Atlanta United, Juárez aims for a victory to enhance their chances of advancing to the quarter-finals. “Our goal is to keep competing,” he stated, reflecting on the even playing field between the two leagues. “We’re taking this tournament very seriously and are hopeful for a good performance.”
The continued evolution of the MLS, reflecting robust growth and competitiveness, suggests a promising future for both leagues and the overall landscape of North American soccer.