The first matchday of the CONCACAF Champions League didn't have many surprises. For all of the talk about the MLS teams' perfect record, how many were good wins? The Seattle Sounders, LA Galaxy and Colorado Rapids all won at home against teams that aren't expected to win the group, Toronto FC beat what is probably the worst team in their group and FC Dallas did win in Mexico, but against a Pumas team that was almost completely devoid of first team players.
2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League: Preview, Teams Look To Make a Statement
With Seattle and Monterrey fielding weakened squads, Alajuelense’s visit to Los Angeles is the top match up on matchday two in the CONCACAF Champions League as teams look to separate from the pack.
What the MLS clubs need to do now is turn last week’s wins into control of their groups. Overly impressive or not last week, grabbing spots atop of their groups and setting themselves up to advance out of the group stage will be impressive. That is what the MLS clubs are looking to do this week.
The MLS sides are hardly the only clubs that matter though. The Mexican teams may have been stunned a little by Pumas’ loss and hopefully that forces them to play stronger teams in this competition, which will only make things more interesting. Monterrey gets a home match this week to grab a stranglehold on Group C and Morelia will be looking to make a move in Group A after being dealt a matchday one setback.
Leading the marquee may be Alajuelense, who defeated Morelia a week ago. Now they head to Los Angeles to take on the Galaxy and are a win away from taking control of the group. While Saprissa has long led the way for Costa Rican teams, Alajuelense has been the dominant team in the country of late and grabbing three points last week only made it even clearer that they are a threat in Group A. One quality team, be it LA, Alajuelense or Morelia will not make it to the knockout stages and Thursday’s match with the Costa Rican side in LA will be a key match in determining which team that could be.
Group D: Monterrey vs. Seattle Sounders
Tuesday, 8 pm ET
This match could have been the highlight of the week. Both sides picked up wins last week and were primed for a big-time match up in Mexico, but it appears as if this match is losing a lot of sizzle quickly. Seattle will not send Fredy Montero, Mauro Rosales, Kasey Keller or Jhon Kennedy Hurtado to Mexico, while Monterrey is likely without Humberto Suazo because of injury, while Aldo de Nigris is also battling injury. Monterrey is coming off a tough match against Chivas last weekend and Seattle is in the hunt for the Supporters Shield, meaning that Champions League is not a priority for either right now. So much for that awesome match.
Group B: Real Espana vs. Colorado Rapids
Tuesday, 10 pm ET
It took a late goal for Santos Laguna to get past Real Espana last week, raising the question as to whether Real has a real chance to get out of their group. The Rapids didn’t look particularly good against Metapan and maybe the Hondurans can sneak past the Rapids for a spot in the knockout stages? If they are to do it then they will certainly need three points on Tuesday at home against a Colorado side that has been average away from home this year, but hardly world beaters.
Group D: Comunicaciones vs. Herediano
Tuesday, 10 pm ET
Few teams had worse openings to the group stage than Comunicaciones and Herediano. Comunicaciones went on top of Seattle after just two minutes, then had the roof fall in on them. They gave up for goals the rest of the way and ended up embarrassed. Herediano topped them by getting smashed, 5-0, at the hands of Monterrey. With goal difference already starting to slip away from them, both sides need to get points on matchday two, especially Comunicaciones, who can’t afford to leave empty handed at home.
Group C: Toronto FC vs. FC Dallas
Wednesday, 8 pm ET
Dallas pulled off the historic win on matchday one, becoming the first MLS team to win in Mexico when they defeated Pumas, 1-0. Now they have control of the group and are certainly in the driver's seat to win the group. To do so they will have to take care of business at home though and that begins with Toronto visiting on Wednesday. The Reds are much better than they were earlier in the season thanks to the signings of Danny Koevermans and Torstein Frings, along with the acquisition of Ryan Johnson and emergence of Joao Plata. Getting a win in Dallas is probably too tall a task for them though as Dallas stays atop the group.
Group B: Isidro Metapan vs. Santos Laguna
Wednesday, 10 pm ET
After pretty much ignoring the Champions League last year with predominantly youth players in the team, Santos Laguna is taking it more seriously this season. It’s a good thing that they are too because it appears as if they are in for a challenge. They struggled to get past Real Espana last week at home and now have to head to El Salvador for a tough match against Metapan. Getting points there is a chore, although Metapan missing Allan Kardeck after he got a red card last week does make things easier.
Group C: Tauro FC vs. UNAM Pumas
Thursday, 8 pm ET
Who would have guessed that Pumas would still be looking for their first points? That’s what happens when you play a bunch of youth players against a good team. It’s obvious that Pumas doesn’t care much about the Champions League and that probably won’t make much of a difference this week when they play at an overmatched Tauro side. They should have no problem getting three points, even if they rest most of their starters and top youth players Diego de Buen, Carlos Orrantia and David Izazola are unlikely to play after just returning from the U-20 World Cup.
Group A: LA Galaxy vs. Alajuelense
Thursday, 10 pm ET
The top match of the week, Group A will be a little more clear after these two tussle in Los Angeles. LA is coming off of a tough match against the Earthquakes on Saturday and it travelling to New York for a high profile match against the Red Bulls on Sunday. As a result, they may not play their best team on Thursday, which would open the door for the Costa Ricans to grab some points. Group A is already the Group of Death with Morelia and Motagua filling out the field, but open the door for Alajuelense to make a run at the top of the group and things will get even crazier. They are good enough to do it and could make that abundantly clear at the Home Depot Center on Thursday.
Group A: Monarcas Morelia vs. CD Motagua
Thursday, 10 pm ET
Both sides are looking for redemption after being defeated on the opening matchday. Morelia cannot afford to drop points at home, but very well could against a strong Motagua side. Jerry Bengston could open up the Morelia defense that was shaky at times last week. The question is whether Morelia’s attack can look any better than it did against Alajuelense. They were terrible in Costa Rica, but Motagua’s defense is not always very well organized and gives away opportunities. Miguel Sabah, Rafael Marquez Lugo and Co. will have to take advantage of that and manage more in the attack than they did last week so they can get three points at home.
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