SuperLiga back in 2008, but how different will it look?

Pachuca will almost certainly be back to defend its SuperLiga crown next year -- but which Mexican clubs will join los Tuzos? Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

MAILBAG Submit a comment or question for Luis. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

Also in this column:
• Five SuperLiga matchups we crave
• Mexicans in Champions League

CARSON, Calif. -- Wednesday's dramatic SuperLiga final between Pachuca and the Los Angeles Galaxy was a fitting end to a competitive tournament.

In many ways, SuperLiga exceeded expectations as MLS clubs stood toe-to-toe with their Mexican counterparts, a 12-year-old league stepping up to the challenge of decades-old, tradition-rich clubs who've been there and done that.

Pachuca's pulsating penalty-kick win over the Galaxy at Home Depot Center late Wednesday was the highlight of a tournament that saw a slew of exciting matches and hardly any forgettable moments.

But like any upstart franchise, the tournament has plenty of room for growth. Fortunately, SuperLiga 2007 has provided a solid base on which to build.

"SuperLiga succeeded, and it's not just because of the million-dollar prize," Mexican soccer federation President Justino Compeán said after the final. "The U.S.-Mexico rivalry is very healthy and it's good that it exists because it helps spur growth on both sides."

Though club and country are different entities, the U.S.-Mexico rivalry is strong enough internationally to carry over into the domestic leagues, and SuperLiga's attempt to build off that was somewhat successful, mostly in the stands.

Mexican clubs, such as Chivas de Guadalajara and Club América, enjoy strong support throughout the U.S., but Mexican officials didn't have much first-hand dealings with MLS teams and their respective supporters.

"It surprised us the amount of support the Galaxy has," Compeán said. "With the amount of time they've been in existence and to have their own stadium, it's a good thing."

Supporters were, for the most part, on their best behavior as well. While previous U.S.-Mexico affairs have been tainted by off-the-field incidents, SuperLiga went over without many problems in the stands.

"It also pleases us that we have that rivalry and that we have had good atmospheres in the games," Compeán said. "We had fair play on the field and fair play in the stands."

Meanwhile, Pachuca hadn't even finished celebrating when Compeán was already discussing SuperLiga '08. Next year's edition, however, will take only a few added measures toward making the tournament a true international competition. Clubs will have to qualify in order to participate, unlike this year's invite-only affair.

Compeán said that Mexican clubs were interested in taking part in next year's tournament, but the actual composition of the event was still far from being decided.

"This is a great problem we're going to have because everyone is going to want to participate," he said. "We told all of our 18 members that the second tournament would require some sort of qualification based on achievements. We just have to work out the details because we have teams right now in Copa Libertadores and [Copa] Sudamericana and we also have to figure out who would go to the CONCACAF Champions' Cup."

1 of 2