Historically yes, with the great years of Atl. Nacional and America de Cali, but recently in the last 5-6 years, they really have dropped off in the international tournaments, and their national team has struggled as well. Certainly their players are still great coming to the MLS, but recently the league is on the outs. The last major success was 2004, Once Caldas won the Copa Libertadores.

I would say that Chile is in the mix with Paraguay, Uruguay, Mexico, and recently even Ecuador teams. These countries usually have one, maybe two teams that reach later stages in the south american tournaments. It kind of depends on the team and the year. I wouldn't put Mexico that high in comparison to the South American leagues. Mexico has never had a team win the Copa Libertadores, (Chivas reached the finals 2010 & America, reached the semis in 2008) & Pachuca is the only Mexican team to win a tournament, (Copa Sudamericana 2006). In Chile, Universidad Catolica and Universidad de Chile have been playing rather well. So again, I would just say it really depends on the team and the year, which could swing rankings of leagues' strength.

Calvin - M- 27- Corvallis, OR, DC United, Portland Timbers, USMNT, anything Ecuador, South American Competitions