CCL 2008-09 Group C - what (may) await the NCC champ

[Nerroth]

Hey.


With the recent draw for the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions' League (http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?id=4218), we can see what kind of group that the winner of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship will face...

...assuming they can get past the prelims, of course.


Group C
MEX1: Atlante FC
HON1: CD Olímpia or CD Marathon
Series 2 Winner: Joe Public FC or New England Revolution
Series 7 Winner: CAN1 or NCA1

Schedule, Home Team Listed First (All Kickoff Time Eastern Standard)
17.09: CAN1 or NCA1 – Joe Public FC or New England Revolution (TBD)
18.09: Atlante – HON1 (22:00)
24.09: Joe Public FC or New England Revolution – HON1 (20:00)
24.09: CAN1 or NCA1 – Atlante (TBD)
30.09: Atlante – Joe Public FC or New England Revolution (20:00)
02.10: HON1 – CAN1 or NCA1 (22:00)
08.10: Joe Public FC or New England Revolution – CAN1 or NCA1 (20:00)
08.10: HON1 – Atlante (22:00)
21.10: CAN1 or NCA1 – HON1 (TBD)
21.10: Joe Public FC or New England Revolution – Atlante (20:00)
28.10: HON1 – Joe Public FC or New England Revolution (20:00)
28.10: Atlante – CAN1 or NCA1 (22:00)


What kind of odds do you see the NCC winner having, when it comes to progressing out of the group - again, assuming they get there in the first place?

[Nazzer]

First, this is based on the assumption that TFC wins the Canadian Championship as I feel they have more players that will break open a game than both Montreal or Vancouver.

I think the game away at New England on June 28 will be a decent barometer of how well TFC does in Group C. If TFC can pull at least a draw I think they can be assured of minimum second place in the group. Also, New England have an all-time record of 1-1-2 (W-D-L) in Concacaf Champions Cup so I don't think they show well traditionally. I don't know much about Olimpia... having said that they did lose to DC both legs in 2007, Toluca both legs iin 2006, Lost and drew UNAM in 2005. Also, I recall reading somewhere on here that Atlante is the weekest of the 4 mexican teams.

Overall, I think if the Canadian Championship winner is TFC, they will make the quarterfinals. If it's Vancouver, or Montreal they will finish third or fourth in the group.

[Real Corona]

Toronto should be able to beat any team from Nicaragua and what I assume to be Honduras (Hon). I have no idea about any of these Carribbean or central American teams, but I can't imagine they are better than MLS or the Mexican teams. That being said, the away legs will be very difficult. The group would come down to Toronto getting results against Honduras, and then knocking off New England. I think Atlante would beat them.

So in conclusion, it is possible and not improbable, but it would be difficult.

If Vancouver win the qualification, they could have a tough match against Nicaragua, but probably would win. I really have nothing to base that on, other than I really have never heard of Nicaraguan clubs. I couldn't see them getting out of the group over New England or Atlante.

If the Vancouver and Toronto players all come down with Small Pox and Montreal is able to qualify the match with the Nicaraguan team will go 0-0 0-0 and end in penalties. No chance in the group.

[devioustrevor]

Also, I recall reading somewhere on here that Atlante is the weekest of the 4 mexican teams.



You mean Atlante, the 2007 Mexican Apertura winners?