Colorado Rapids coach Gary Smith believes the English Championship is of a standard below Major League Soccer.

The level below the English Premier League is widely rated as one of the hardest leagues to win and is also about the fourth-highest viewed league in the world but from what Smith has seen on his return to his homeland, he is not so convinced.

"It's always interesting to see these games," Smith told MLSsoccer.com after watching Coventry City beat Middlesbrough. "I have to say, Coventry were absolutely dreadful. If they played like that in the MLS, they would be lambasted. It was route-one 1982 football.

"It is a sad indictment of the Championship," he added. "Coventry are a very big, physical side - and there are always issues with that - and played with confidence. [But] Middlesbrough played much better football."