CONCACAF Champions League draw preview

[scaryice]

draw preview (http://usasoccer.blogspot.com/2008/06/concacaf-champions-league-draw-preview.html)

Yes, the draw is only two days away, June 11th. I've put together a preview of what to expect on my blog, going over what the various pots will look like, as well as performing a mock draw.

[Nazzer]

Nice preview. I do find it a little odd that the group stage draw is being done before the prelim round is complete. If CONCACAF seeds the teams for the group stage draw under the assumption that the Pot A teams will all win the prelim round then there will be a really easy group if there is an upset in the prelim round.

[SideshowBob]

I think you are basically right about the pots if I read it correctly. The group stage pots will likely be like this:

Pot 1: MEX1, MEX2, USA1, USA2 (the auto berths)
Pot 2: CRC1, GUA1, HON1, SVL1 (the other auto berths)
Pot 3: MEX3, MEX4, USA3, USA4 (or of course their opponents)
Pot 4: CRC2, HON2, PAN1, CAN1 (or of course their opponents)

With the simple criteria that 2 teams from the same federation cannot be drawn against each other. I believe that's what you have in your blog, but I wanted to clarify. This setup would ensure that even with an upset that every group would have at least 2 of the automatic berths (1 Mexican or US and 1 Central American). That should minimize the odds of having groups with widely different strength.

[scaryice]

Yeah, that's right.

[gringolimon]

Is this draw going to be televised? I couldn't find it listed anywhere.

[SideshowBob]

Is this draw going to be televised? I couldn't find it listed anywhere.

That would be nice, but completely unrealistic. For starters, I'd be surprised if there were an actual "draw" (as opposed to Warner just assigning teams however he wants within certain limitations). Secondly, I'm not so sure we'll even see the results posted on the CONCACAF website in any efficient manner. We might see some information on official team websites before CONCACAF announces things, but we'll see.

[sshami88]

lol at saprissa being in the group of death......we could everything in that mock group....i think santos is the only real threat for us because of their offense, but we CAN SCORE ON SANTOS, especially at home, la liga well they have lost many key player so u will be shocked if they make it past the first round, unless they make some good signings. atlante, please, unam......maybe but not really and cruz azul seems like the most balance of all the teams. it will be interesting.

[sshami88]

lol i meant we could beat everybody in that group.....sry

[el chingon]

lol at saprissa being in the group of death......we could everything in that mock group....i think santos is the only real threat for us because of their offense, but we CAN SCORE ON SANTOS, especially at home, la liga well they have lost many key player so u will be shocked if they make it past the first round, unless they make some good signings. atlante, please, unam......maybe but not really and cruz azul seems like the most balance of all the teams. it will be interesting.

Cruz Azul is also strong(they changed coach, so that might change), Pumas they're a big team, they did bad this year they finished in 12th place, but if you think about it, Pachuca who finished in 10th place beat Saprissa in the final. So its not like Saprissa is unbeatable.

[NateP]

Great stuff Scaryice. I've been trying to figure out how this draw would work and couldn't find anything from Concacaf itself.

Now let's see how long it takes them to announce the pairings Warner made up.

[sshami88]

Cruz Azul is also strong(they changed coach, so that might change), Pumas they're a big team, they did bad this year they finished in 12th place, but if you think about it, Pachuca who finished in 10th place beat Saprissa in the final. So its not like Saprissa is unbeatable.

agree saprissa is beatable specially away, but i believe that all that we need is a stronger midfield and we should be good. the one thing i admire about the mexican league is that there alot of strong team not just two or three, pachuca, toluca, san luis, pumas, america ( pathetic) chivas, santos and cruz azul. Even i get tired of saprissa winning the league every year, we need more parady and the way you get that is with money, mexico as more money so could buy better players. :D

but i still stand by santos being the only real threat, because of their offense.:)

[Intru]

http://www.concacaf.com/competitions/champsleague/images/front_pround.jpg

[el chingon]

agree saprissa is beatable specially away, but i believe that all that we need is a stronger midfield and we should be good. the one thing i admire about the mexican league is that there alot of strong team not just two or three, pachuca, toluca, san luis, pumas, america ( pathetic) chivas, santos and cruz azul. Even i get tired of saprissa winning the league every year, we need more parady and the way you get that is with money, mexico as more money so could buy better players. :D

but i still stand by santos being the only real threat, because of their offense.:)

Yeah Santos is the strongest one, especially with their home-field advantage. Atlante will be the weakest mexican team, they started sucking after they were champions.

[el chingon]

http://www.concacaf.com/competitions/champsleague/images/front_pround.jpg

So that's official?

[sshami88]

So that's official?


yep its official i saw it in the concacaf website, it looks pretty easy for the "big teams" but lets see we MIGHT get an upset just maybe.

[hura]

yes, it's official!!!

http://www.concacaf.com/competitions/champsleague/index.aspx

http://www.concacaf.com/competitions/champsleague/images/front_pround.jpg

dale ISLANDERS!

[SideshowBob]

According to the article on the CONCACAF website (http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?id=4209), the group stage matchups have been drawn as well but won't be revealed until next Monday.

The Preliminary Stage winners will join the eight seeded teams (MEX1, MEX2, USA1, USA2, CRC1, GUA1, HON1, SLV1) in the Group Stage that consists of four groups of four teams each.

The eight clubs have been also drawn into Group Stage today for the inaugural CONCACAF Champions League™ and CONCACAF will officially unveil the Group Stage along with the complete schedule for the preliminary round on Monday (16 June).

[scaryice]

Says that they also drew the group stage, but will reveal it on Monday.

[IASocFan]

A little easier to read from concacaf.com:

Preliminary Round Draw Results (Home Team Listed First)
First-Leg (26-28 August 2008)
GUA2: CD Municipal or Deportivo Jalapa – PAN1: San Francisco FC
CFU2: Joe Public FC of Trinidad & Tobago – USA3: New England Revolution
CRC2: LD Alajuelense – CFU3: Puerto Rico Islanders
MEX4: CD SC Cruz Azul – BLZ1: Hankook Verdes
CFU1: Harbour View FC of Jamaica – MEX3: Pumas UNAM
PAN2: Tauro FC – USA4: Chivas USA
CAN1: Canadian Champion – NCA1: Nicaraguan Champion
SLV2: CD Isidro Metapan – HON2: CD Olimpia or CD Marathon

Second-Leg (2-4 September 2008)
PAN1: San Francisco FC – GUA2: CD Municipal or Deportivo Jalapa
USA3: New England Revolution – CFU2: Joe Public FC of Trinidad & Tobago
CFU3: Puerto Rico Islanders – CRC2: LD Alajuelense
BLZ1: Hankook Verdes – MEX4: CD SC Cruz Azul
MEX3: Pumas UNAM – CFU1: Harbour View FC of Jamaica
USA4: Chivas USA – PAN2: Tauro FC
NCA1: Nicaraguan Champion – CAN1: Canadian Champion
HON2: CD Olimpia or CD Marathon – SLV2: CD Isidro Metapan

[scaryice]

aoKMqCzsvUI