Jack Warner has been a busy man. In Bahrain one day, in Trinidad the next, and now in New York to announce the draw for the 2006 CONCACAF Champions' Cup. The draw is not as complicated as that of the European Champions' League - the only thing you have to do is keep the American and Mexican clubs separated - but it is nice to see better organization from CONCACAF headquarters for a change.
Here is the draw for the quarterfinal round, to be played on 22 February and 8 March (home team in first leg listed first):
QF1: Portmore United vs. América
QF2: Alajuelense vs. New England
QF3: Olimpia vs. Toluca
QF4: Los Angeles vs. Saprissa
The semifinals will be played on 22 and 29 March and will feature QF1 vs. QF2 in one semi and QF3 vs. QF4 in the other. The finals will be played on 12 and 19 April.
So América gets to take the Caribbean vacation, while the American teams get to go to Costa Rica, which will be anything but a vacation. The Galaxy better hope that Steve Sampson learned well from his stint in Costa Rican soccer. I don't know who will emerge from the crapshoot that is the Mexican playoffs, but I think Olimpia will give the Apertura winner more than they can handle.
I'll come back with some analysis and predictions as the quarterfinal dates approach. I'm not going to make any predictions right now, but that doesn't mean you don't have to.
UPDATE (12/18): All of the teams in the final eight are now known, so I've updated this post.
New England has some familiarity with Alajuelense from the 2003 CCC.
Posted by: Tim | November 22, 2005 at 09:16 AM
Of note in the Revs 2003 bid was that the team agreed to play their 'home' leg in Costa Rica. Apparently the cost of getting Gillette up and running and the field in playable condition was more than the Kraft family could swallow.
There is speculation this year that the Revs' home leg could be played in Bermuda, where the team will be conducting part of their preseason training. If Bermuda native Khano Smith is still with the squad, the Revs could enjoy some fan support.
Posted by: mosler | November 22, 2005 at 12:26 PM
At this point, I would like see one MLS team make it back to a CCC final. I just hope they are prepared to play.
Posted by: Tim | November 23, 2005 at 10:20 AM
If cost is the big issue, why not play the home leg in New Hampshire? If I recall correctly, there's a decent facility up there.
Posted by: Howard Hamilton | November 29, 2005 at 11:32 PM
And while I'm at it, I'll make some predictions.
This is América's cup to lose, but then again, it's been a Mexican club's cup to lose for the last two years.
And I think that an MLS club's chances of reaching the final are negligible. I'd really like to see a team from the USA return to a CCC final, but MLS teams aren't sophisticated enough to be successful over a two-leg series. I'd like to be wrong here, but bet on form, as they say.
Posted by: Howard Hamilton | November 29, 2005 at 11:39 PM
We are long overdue for some success. Between LA and NE, I just have a feeling, that they will turn some heads.
Has anyone notice that last year CCC runner-up Pumas, is in the final of the Copa Sudamericana.
Anyone has any thoughts about Garber's comments about MLS/Mexican League "Champions League" type competition?????
Posted by: Tim | December 01, 2005 at 02:59 PM