Concacaf Champions League 2009-10

[Rjbatzler]

Believe it or not, the draws for the preliminary round and the group stages for this years champions league come out this Thursday, June 11th. Because we won the US Open Cup last year, we qualified for the preliminary round, which will be held late July and early August. It's a home and away series against a Central American or Caribbean opponent. The teams we could be drawn against are...

Real Espana (Honduras)
CD Chalatenango (El Salvador)
Communicaciones/Jalapa (Guatemala)
Arabe Unido/Apertura winner (Panama)
Herediano (Costa Rica)
West Connection (Trinidad)
San Juan Jabotleh (Trinidad)
Puerto Rico Islanders (Puerto Rico)

I would not want to draw the Islanders based on their performance last year, but we are better than all of these teams, the key is to not overlook them or play scrubs, as this knocked out Chivas and NE last year.

For the group stage, if we make it, the two auto qualified teams we would play would be either Pumas or Toluca, and one of Saprissa (CR), Marathon (Hon), Metapan (ES), or Municipal/Communicaciones (Gua). Plus one other prelim winner.

So who do you guys want to draw, how do you want Tommy and the boys to approach this years tourney, and how far do you see United going?





PS. Some good sources of info on the tourney: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CONCACAF_Champions_League_2009%E2%80%9310
http://concacaf.com/competitions/champsleague/index.aspx

[Footer Phooter]

We've got to take this seriously, which is going to screw us in MLS.

[Doctor Woo]

Maybe it wouldn't screw us so badly this year if we play the guys who've been coming off the bench, e.g., Gomez or Moreno. Olsen hasn't been getting much PT this year, maybe we could give him some time off the pines.

[MattMathai]

Maybe it wouldn't screw us so badly this year if we play the guys who've been coming off the bench, e.g., Gomez or Moreno. Olsen hasn't been getting much PT this year, maybe we could give him some time off the pines.

Olsen would be starting if he weren't injured.

[onefineesq]

We've got to take this seriously, which is going to screw us in MLS. I don't think it screws us. This year, unlike years past, we have QUALITY depth. Even from 2004-2007 when this team won an MLS Cup and 2 SS, the team was typically 15 deep with guys I trusted. This year, we literally have 20+ guys on this squad who don't scare me in the starting lineup. Honestly, the only guy that scares me a bit is Peters, being that I've seen practices and he still looks like he doesn't know where he should be half the time. But everyone else? Seriously, I'm totally comfortable seeing them on the field. Sure, it is going to be a strain on us under any circumstance. But I feel a lot better than I have in ANY previous foray into international competition over the last 4 years.

[dcuni_ted]

I would not want to draw the Islanders based on their performance last year, but we are better than all of these teams, the key is to not overlook them or play scrubs, as this knocked out Chivas and NE last year.

D.C. United usually takes this tournament very seriously. Last year we had a tough group and the the tournament began during our collapse last season. This year, we don't have to worry about that stupid Superliga tournament, which is a huge help. Plus our schedule lightens up toward the end of the year, when the tournament is underway.

[Footer Phooter]

I don't think it screws us. This year, unlike years past, we have QUALITY depth. Even from 2004-2007 when this team won an MLS Cup and 2 SS, the team was typically 15 deep with guys I trusted. This year, we literally have 20+ guys on this squad who don't scare me in the starting lineup. Honestly, the only guy that scares me a bit is Peters, being that I've seen practices and he still looks like he doesn't know where he should be half the time. But everyone else? Seriously, I'm totally comfortable seeing them on the field. Sure, it is going to be a strain on us under any circumstance. But I feel a lot better than I have in ANY previous foray into international competition over the last 4 years.

We'll see what the injury list looks like once the tournament starts.

[JB252]

i want an excuse to go to Trinidad. So i hope we draw a team from Trinidad :)

[La Barra Blonde]

i want an excuse to go to Trinidad. So i hope we draw a team from Trinidad :)

I want an excuse to go to Trinidad so I can get a Joe Public jersey. :D

[dcchelseafc]

panama for me

[JeremyEritrea]

I wanna go back to Costa Rica.

¡Pura Vida!

[Doctor Woo]

Olsen would be starting if he weren't injured.

Sorry, should have showed the "wink" of sarcasm.

[MattMathai]

Sorry, should have showed the "wink" of sarcasm.


Whoooosh! That went right past me.

[Bolivianfuego]

I hope we put this close to first priority, cause its no lie, we arent going to win the supporters shield this year most likely. I rather us do good outside of the MLS, because the MLS needs it. What better team to rise above and show the rest of the MLS how to do it? We sacrifice our regular season, sneak into the play offs, do awsome and possibly win the concaf champions league, and when in play offs make it FULL priority, win that and kick ass next marchish when the final is and win it!! :p

[Count]

Looking forward to this. As stated, our depth is exponentially better than last year and we don't have to work around Superliga. Also, I think we should expect at least one new player to come in if (when) crayton gets cut loose.

[Nerroth]

EDIT: Never mind, I saw the list here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CONCACAF_Champions_League_2009%E2%80%9310#Format).


Prelim-wise, I'm glad that neither D.C. nor the Canadian champ (probably the Whitecaps) will have to face a Mexican side.


I'm not sure who I'd prefer United to draw, but I at least hope that neither they, Pachuca, Cruz Azul or the Canadian champs draw the Islanders - they are all teams I'd like to see make the group stages.


I'm looking forward to learning more about some of the other sides, though. (I hadn't heard from Herediano until they were awarded CRC3 - the only non-Saprissa side from Costa Rica I had known about was Alajuelense.)

[gringolimon]

What happen to the other girl from last year´s draw. She was cute . . . although a bit clumsy . . . I guess that´s why she is not in it this year.

[Rjbatzler]

What happen to the other girl from last year´s draw. She was cute . . . although a bit clumsy . . . I guess that´s why she is not in it this year.

Yea she was funny. I think it's gonna be the old lady this year.

[gringolimon]

Yea she was funny. I think it's gonna be the old lady this year.

That sucks! Funny and cute is must see online draw.

[Rjbatzler]

That sucks! Funny and cute is must see online draw.

At least we can laugh at that awkward guy, he's there again :D