Santos Laguna is the only team standing in the way of a MLS team going to the CONCACAF Champions League championship game for a second straight year. The Mexican giants were placed in the same side of the bracket with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders, who they will play in the quarterfinals.
CONCACAF Champions League 2012: Full Championship Round Draw Set
The catch, of course, is that Santos Laguna is also arguably the best team in the field. During the group stage, they finished with more points (13) and a better goal-difference (+10) than any other team. They are also fourth in the current Apertura standings, better than any of the other remaining Mexican teams.
Monterrey, Monarcas Morelia, Pumas UNAM and Isidro Metapan were placed in the other side of the bracket. Monterrey and Pumas are that side’s group winners.
Complete draw:
CONCACAF Champions League
(Home teams listed first)
Quarterfinals
First Leg
March 6-8, 2012
Seattle Sounders (USA) vs. Santos (MEX)
Isidro Metapan (SLV) vs. Pumas (MEX)
Toronto FC (CAN) vs. LA Galaxy (USA)
Morelia (MEX) vs. Monterrey (MEX)
Second Leg
March 13-15, 2012
Santos (MEX) vs. Seattle Sounders (USA)
Pumas (MEX) vs. Isidro Metapan (SLV)
LA Galaxy (USA) vs. Toronto FC (CAN)
Monterrey (MEX) vs. Morelia (MEX)
Semifinals
First Leg
March 27-29, 2012
LA Galaxy-Toronto FC winner vs. Santos-Seattle Sounders winner
Monterrey-Morelia winner vs. Pumas-Isidro Metapan winner
Second Leg
April 3-5, 2012
Santos-Seattle Sounders winner vs. LA Galaxy-Toronto FC winner
Pumas-Isidro Metapan winner vs. Monterrey-Morelia winner
Finals
First Leg
April 17-19, 2012
Monterrey-Morelia/Pumas-Metapan winner vs. LA Galaxy-Toronto FC/Santos-Seattle Sounders winner
Second Leg
April 24-26, 2012
LA Galaxy-Toronto FC/Santos-Seattle Sounders winner vs. Monterrey-Morelia/Pumas-Metapan winner
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