Carlos Vela may be the face of an MLS team these days, but that doesn't mean he favors rival sides over their Liga MX counterparts in the Concacaf Champions League.
The LAFC forward was asked what he thought of MLS teams going 3-0-0 this week in CCL quarterfinal first-leg play against Liga MX opposition, and Vela defended his compatriots. He also gave credit to the MLS teams active in the competition.
"Obviously, the teams in Mexico are strong, it's a very competitive league and the [series] aren't over," Vela was quoted as saying on Thursday by ESPN. "I think in Mexico, things will change.
"Above all, I think Tigres [can overturn the deficit], the current [Liga MX] champion and a team that has been in finals or winning for a number of years. It's one of the strongest teams in the tournament and it'll be hard-fought.
"But I think [the results] show that the [MLS] isn't as bad a league as people in Mexico think, that it is very physical, very competitive and you don't play walking and that was shown [on Wednesday]."
Still, when it comes to rooting for a league overall in the CCL, Vela's loyalties lie with the country of his birth.
"I hope the Mexican teams win because I prefer teams from my country to win," he said.
