MLS champion D.C. United and the Los Angeles Galaxy will play in the inaugural Copa Merconorte, a competition CONCACAF and CONMEBOL, the South American confederation, are sponsoring this fall. CONMEBOL has decided to drop the CONMEBOL Cup, the South American equivalent of the UEFA Cup. The two MLS teams will join Club America and Cruz Azul of Mexico, Emelec and Barcelona of Ecuador, Alianza Lima and Sporting Cristal of Peru and Atletico Nacional and Deportivo Cali of Colombia. Venezuelan and Bolivian teams are also expected to compete, with the exact number of teams to be confirmed next week by tournament organizers in Miami. The tournament, which will be played September through December, is expected to consist of four groups, with each team playing the others in its group on a home-and-home basis. “Any time that American teams play international games that are not exhibition games, we definitely acquire an experience that is invaluable,” said Galaxy head coach Octavio Zambrano. “International competition is an essential part of any player’s professional development.” More details about the tournament and the schedule will be announced March 17.