CONCACAF Champions League: Happy Hour Edition

Normally we here at MLS Multiplex like to use our match-day coverage as a medium to fill you, our loyal readers, with various previous of knowledge and insight to wow your fellow supporters.

But with only one CONCACAF Champions League match being played this week here in the United States, chances are you will be watching your team’s match at a bar or someone’s house. So we are retrofitting the tailgate edition of our CONCACAF Champions League coverage into Happy Hour coverage. So enjoy your dollar off beer and your half-price appetizers and enjoy the matches.

Teams That Have Already Qualified

So far four teams have qualified for the next of the CONCACAF Champions League with four additional spots to be decided among Groups 2,5,6, and 8.

While one might expect D.C. United, Montreal Impact, and Pachuca to take it easy given that they have already qualified  for the next round (Herediano has played all four matches of the Group Stage,) there is still much to play for. Positioning in the quarterfinal rounds is extremely important to making it deep into the CCL.

In particular for D.C. and Montreal the goal is clear: avoid a Liga MX side in the quarterfinals at all cost. MLS sides have only beaten Liga MX just once in the modern era of the CCL (Real Salt Lake in 2011) and have struggled mightily in Mexico. Although finishing first among all teams does not necessarily guarantee an easy opponent, it certainly gives them an advantage.

Both MLS sides should be bringing strong sides for their road matches. United wrapped up the Eastern Conference title last week against the Chicago Fire and were eliminated from Supporters Shield contention weeks ago. Their opponent tonight, Tauro F.C. (0-0-3) has looked poor in CCL play and will likely not put up much of a challenge.

Montreal meanwhile have been out of contention in MLS league play for months and have put most of their energy into CONCACAF Champions League play. Their shock 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls in August knocked out the presumptive favorites in Group 3. The Red Bulls are still vying for playoff seeding in MLS league play and will likely use a very experimental squad on Wednesday.

The biggest hurdle that the MLS clubs have in overcoming Herediano and Pachuca is Goal Differential, which will be used as a tiebreaker if all three teams are even on points. Pachuca will be heading to Honduras to play a Real Espana side that has already given up 8 goals in CCL Group Play. Pachuca already has a plus 6 and plus 3 goal advantage over United and Montreal respectively so both MLS sides may be resigned to the second and third seeds.

Games to Watch

Pachuca vs Real Espana- 10/22 10pm Univision Deportes

D.C. United vs Tauro F.C.- 10/21 8PM Fox Soccer Plus

Montreal Impact vs New York Red Bulls-10/22 8pm Fox Sports 2

Groups Still In Play

Sep 18, 2014; Kansas City, KS, USA; Sporting KC forward C.J. Sapong (17) heads the ball away as Deportivo Saprissa midfielder Gabriel Badila (16) defends during the second half of the match at Sporting Park. Sporting KC won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Group 2

*-eliminated

Game to Watch:

Sporting Kansas City vs Saprissa- 10/23 10pm Fox Soccer Plus

If Sporting Kansas City want to make the second round of the CONCACAF Champions League they are going to need to do it in one of the toughest stadiums in North America. La Cueva del Monstruo or the Monster’s Cave is a very loud, boisterous stadium where rough tackles on the road team are encouraged and goals by the home team are celebrated like victories in a war. Ask any Mexican or U.S. National Team player what it is like to play there and chances are you will get some very discouraging opinions.

In their first match, Sporting KC thrived off of the outside play by forward Toni who scored a brace to lift the 1-1 deadlock and give Sporting the three points. But Peter Vermes’ side has suffered from a lack of confidence recently, losing 6 of their last 10 matches and dropping points in 8.

To win this match, Sporting will need to have consistent play from their defense. The club has not shutout an opponent since their June 27th win over the Portland Timbers and have been plagued with poor decision-making along their back four. Saprissa has only scored five goals in CCL play, but three of them came against Real Esteli at home.

Prediction: Saprissa 2- Sporting Kansas City 2

Sep 16, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Timbers midfielder Maximiliano Urruti (37) scores a goal on C.D. Olimpia goalkeeper Noel Valladares (27) during the second half of the game at Providence Park. The Timbers won the match 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

Group 5

Game to Watch:

Portland Timbers vs Olimpia- 10/21 10pm Fox Soccer Plus

Needing a win and six goals, it might seem like the Leones are a bit outmatched. But given that Portland are still fighting with the Vancouver Whitecaps for the final playoff spot in the MLS Western Conference, but 28-time Honduran Premier League Champions still have a chance.

Although the win might be doable, it is the goal differential that will be the biggest hurdle. Honduran National Team Forward Anthony Lozano will need to find the form that allowed him to score three goals against Alpha United at home earlier in CCL play and put them in the position to advance. Also look for World Cup veteran goalkeeper Noel Valladares to keep the young backline in form during critical periods of the match.

If Olimpia are looking for inspiration, look no further than the 2013-2014 CONCACAF Champions League where Arabe Unido were able to overcome the Houston Dynamo at home and take their spot in the knockout round of the tournament. It can be done, but it requires a ton of luck and a strong defensive effort.

Prediction: Olimpia 3- Portland Timbers 1

Mar 12, 2014; Kansas City, KS, USA; Cruz Azul starters pose for a photo before the game against Sporting KC at Sporting Park. Kansas City won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Group 6

Game to Watch:

Cruz Azul vs Alajuelense- 10/21 10pm Galavision (Yes, this still exists)

Cinderella may unseat the defending CCL Champions on Tuesday night when Alajuelense will look to kick Cruz Azul out of the Champions League on Tuesday night.

After getting a draw in the first match against Cruz Azul, The Black and The Reds have floundered a bit, only getting four points against Chorillo.

But they will have the home-field advantage against one of the strongest squads in North America. Cruz Azul has struggled away from home this season in Liga MX. Thus far in the Aperutra, Cruz Azul thus far is win-less (0-3-3) away from Estadio Azul and have a goal differential of minus 4.

Expect Alajuelense to invest most of their resources on defense with forward Jerry Palacios playing as a lone striker. Maintaining their defensive shape will be integral to containing the high-flying attack led by midfielders Marco Fabian, Christian Gimenez, Joao Rojas, and  Rafael Baca.

Prediction: Alajuelense 1- Cruz Azul 1

Group 8

Game to Watch: 

Club America vs Communicaciones- 10/21 8pm Univision Deportes

Perhaps the most interesting match of the week finds Club America, one of the giants of Mexican football, taking on Communicaciones, one of the giants of Central American football.

Let’s not mince our words: Communicaciones can only proceed to the knockout stages by winning. There is no way that they are going to be able to overcome a plus 7 goal differential at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Club America are far too good of a squad to get beaten that badly at home.

Now can Los Cremas get the three points? Yes. Ivan Sopegno’s side will need to score early and avoid the early mistake. In their 1-1-1 draw in Guatemala City in August, the Guatemalans were able to overcome an early goal by Club America striker Oribe Peralta and even the score in the 28th minute. Forward Rolando Blackman scored the goal in that match and is currently in the running for the Golden Boot (4 goals).

That being said, Club America should do enough to win this match. They are currently at the top of Liga MX (9-2-2, 29 points) and have enough space in the standings that they can field a full side.

Prediction: Club America 2- Communicaciones 1