Last November, San Jose Clash and U.S. forward Eric Wynalda was comparing MLS to the German Bundesliga. He said MLS champion D.C. United could hold its own with the top German clubs head-to-head, but when asked how United would fare in a full, 34-match Bundesliga season, he replied, “That’s different.” The difference is depth and motivation. The Galaxy sleep-walked through the first half of its 3-2 MLS loss to the Clash Aug. 17, but then blanked D.C. United in a hard-fought CONCACAF Champions’ Cup semifinal five days later. In the CONCACAF final against Cruz Azul Aug. 24, Los Angeles raced out to a 2-0 lead, only to collapse after midfield maestro Mauricio Cienfuegos took a knee to the ribs and had to leave the game. Cruz Azul was probably worth its 5-3 win, but L.A. ù which had already lost Welton to a harsh tackle in the San Jose game ù was too depleted to put up a real challenge. If there are lessons to be learned from the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, it’s that MLS second-tier players as well as superstars must be paid more, and rosters must be larger. Teams are moaning and groaning about congested schedules, but D.C. United arbitrarily switched a June 28 game against Columbus to July 30, then whined about its crowded schedule. Sorry, no sale. On the other hand, Galaxy players were absolutely right to complain that MLS did not kick in bonus incentives for the CONCACAF tournament. How can the league insist its teams compete in competitions like the U.S. Open Cup, but refuse to compensate a team that beat the Mexican first-half champion Santos in the CONCACAF quarterfinals? by Soccer America Senior Editor Ridge Mahoney