CCL 09-10 Group C [R]

[usafan12]

Hey everyone,

Just to make separate threads for prediction and discussion, for when this stage kicks off soon...

The games for this group (as per the finalized schedule on the tournament's website):

Matchday 1

Tuesday, August 18:

Columbus Crew (USA) vs. Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR) 8 p.m.

Wednesday, August 19:

Cruz Azul (MEX) vs. Saprissa (CRC), 10 p.m.

Matchday 2

Tuesday, August 25:

Saprissa (CRC) vs. Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR), 10 p.m.

Wednesday, August 26:

Cruz Azul (MEX) vs. Columbus Crew (USA), 10 p.m.

Matchday 3

Tuesday, September 15:

Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR) vs. Cruz Azul (MEX), 8 p.m.

Wednesday, September 16:

Saprissa (CRC) vs. Columbus Crew (USA), 10 p.m.

Matchday 4

Tuesday, September 22:

Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR) vs. Saprissa (CRC), 8 p.m.

Wednesday, September 23:

Columbus Crew (USA) vs. Cruz Azul (MEX), 8 p.m.

Matchday 5

Tuesday, September 29:

Columbus Crew (USA) vs. Saprissa (CRC), 8 p.m.
Cruz Azul (MEX) vs. Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR), 10 p.m.

Matchday 6

Tuesday, October 20:

Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR) vs. Columbus Crew (USA), 8 p.m.
Saprissa (CRC) vs. Cruz Azul (MEX), 10 p.m.

Who do you think will win the group, and which two will make the quarterfinals? And what games interest you the most?

[IKickAndIm50]

I am still pissed off at how the PR Islanders "beat" Toronto FC to get here, so i want them to lose all their games lol... i highly doubt Columbus Crew makes it out of this, this is the group of death for sure

[Moises]

I crazy was it may seem I think Columbus can pull out of this group even with Saprissa of Costa Rica.

Saprissa has been that good in the CL.

[Onionsack]

Sapprisa and Cruz Azul in the group of death..that said Columbus is good by MLS standards and i wouldn't rule them out. Puerto Rico could be the wild card here that decides the group.

[jared9999]

Cruz Azul and Saprissa go through. the Islanders with a slim chance

[Moises]

Saprissa has been that good in the CL.
Edit: Hasn't been

[usafan12]

Edit: Hasn't been
??? Don't confuse them with the national team. :D

In the last 5 years, haven't they been in the finals twice (+ getting 3rd in the CWC, something only Necaxa has also done for CONCACAF teams)? And even last year, they (I think) got the most points of anyone who didn't make it to the quarterfinals.

[Moises]

??? Don't confuse them with the national team. :D

In the last 5 years, haven't they been in the finals twice (+ getting 3rd in the CWC, something only Necaxa has also done for CONCACAF teams)? And even last year, they (I think) got the most points of anyone who didn't make it to the quarterfinals.
yeah that was FIVE YEARS AGO.

last year they werent strong in Group stages and then they didnt come out champs this year...so i dnt think their was strong as in FIVE years ago.

[TrueCrew]

Cruz Azul (5 times) and Saprissa (3 times) have won it eight times between them, and have to be the favorites in terms of the general consensus.

However, the Crew are almost fully healthy, deep, and will be pretty well rested for the first two games at least, possibly the first three. Plus, they want to win the thing, and have some cushion at the top of the east. That's a combination that doesn't happen very often for MLS participants.

Obviously, this is the toughest group, and I'm not taking PR lightly, who had a great showing last year and knocked out TFC, but I'm going with Columbus and Saprissa. Just can't bring myself to pick any Mexican team after another classy display of sportsmanship from El Tri and their fans at Azteca (though Cruz Azul are probably the best team in the group).

As for the match that excites me the most, the Crew v. Cruz Azul match in round 4. Hopefully, that will be the one that knocks them out. :)

[tomwilhelm]

This group is fantastic. I'm going with the two standard bearers, Cruz Azul and Saprissa. But honestly, either of the Crew or Islanders could sneak through. Both are the class of their respective leagues and regions and both play very strong defense.

[Otaku]

This might actually be interesting. I hope its a close group.

[MetroChile]

This might actually be interesting. I hope its a close group.

Hey Otaku: do you know if Emilio Hdez. is supposed to start tonite?

[Otaku]

The Cruz Azul website says that the team is training but that it won't be known who is starting until right before the match.

I'm not sure how serious CA is taking this so its probably going to be a mix of starters and bench warmers. Good news for him is that supposedly Landin is going to be traded to Houston Dynamo so thats less competition up front.

[MetroChile]

I'm not sure how serious CA is taking this so its probably going to be a mix of starters and bench warmers. Good news for him is that supposedly Landin is going to be traded to Houston Dynamo so thats less competition up front.

I am not a huge fan of his (as I posted on the CA transfer thread) but I still hope that like a lot of Chilenos, he gets better and brings something special to la Maquina Cementera. Hopefully he does better than Eduardo Rubio, for example. :eek: Thanks for the info, btw. :cool:

[tomwilhelm]

In other transfer news, it looks like the Crew will be adding some South American talent up front, which is a huge help when you're trying to win the league and compete in the CCL GoD...

The target is Emilio Renteria, a 24 year-old striker currently with Caracas FC. He has scored 3 goals for the Venezuelan NT.

Anyone know anything about him?

[MetroChile]

In other transfer news, it looks like the Crew will be adding some South American talent up front, which is a huge help when you're trying to win the league and compete in the CCL GoD...

The target is Emilio Renteria, a 24 year-old striker currently with Caracas FC. He has scored 3 goals for the Venezuelan NT.

Anyone know anything about him?

I've seen him play for Vza. a few times as well as in the Libertadores with Caracas. He should do OK in the MLS and would certainly be an upgrade to most forward lines in the league. Hopefully he clicks with Moreno, seeing as how he is also Venezuelan.

[Otaku]

Its pouring in DF for the Cruz Azul-Saprissa game :/

[TrueCrew]

Well, results for Round 1:

Columbus (USA) 2: Puerto Rico 0
Cruz Azul (Mex) 2: Saprissa (CR) 0

Solid holds by the favored home teams in round 1, status quo so far.

Can the Crew become the first MLS team to win in Mexico?

The loser of the PR/Saprissa game (if there is one) could be in trouble early. PR would have no margin for error at home, and Saprissa will have lost ground to Columbus (inferior result vs. PR at home) and Cruz Azul (loss head to head).

[Moises]

Can the Crew become the first MLS team to win in Mexico?


no.

[It's called FOOTBALL]

Well the Crew has the advantage of 8 days of rest, while Cruz Azul had to play 2 games during that stretch, and will go into their game with the Crew with 4 days of rest, half of what the Crew gets