This is the major factor in all of this. If the MLS teams got the 2nd leg they'd have a decent chance, but playing the 2nd leg in Mexico is going to be exceedingly difficult I feel.
I don't know if major factor. In my opinion having the home game first is actually a plus. You can get a good score at home, hopefully 2-0, and then go as visitors knowing that the other team is obligated to score. Doubly so against Mexican teams since to my eyes they take things a little easier in the first game.
These two points seem contradictory.... I'd much rather get an away goal in Mexico in the first leg and have a home crowd bolster my defense in the second leg than play a potentially sloppy game at home in the first leg and then have to weather a Mexican crowd the second. Also, all four quarterfinals have the second-leg-home-team advance. Granted, Monterrey did it in an odd way, but they still are two-time defending champs, too.
I guess it depends on the scenario and what you get. If you get a 1-1 tie on the road then yeah your at home and the visitor needs to score. That's a great scenario. I just think a 2-0 win at home is easier than a 1-1 tie on the road. Again, it's all opinions and my main point is that the order of the games is not a major factor.
For me, Santos heavy favorites over Sounders. I just don't believe in this Sounders team. They will have to do much better to advance over a very talented Santos team. With Tigres gone, this is a golden chance for Santos. LA on the other hand have a good chance over Monterrey, of all MLS teams, they have the talent up top to make the most of whatever opportunities may show up while Monterrey is, for me, the most meh of the MX teams in CCL. Still, LA are the underdogs.
Great results for MLS, but these two series will definitely favor the Mexican teams. I happen to think having the second legs at home is a big bonus.
Santos looked underwhelming over two legs against Houston but the real question is which Seattle team is going to show up? The one holding on to dear life in leg one or the one who scored great goals in the second half of the second leg? Something tells me it's going to be more of the former, you don't score long-range golazos like that every game at the right time.
Santos have really regressed from clasura 2012 but sounders have looked really bad so far from what i've seen so I guess i'll take santos. Monterrey finally seem to have everybody healthy, I think they beat gals 4-2 aggregate.
At last Monterrey have natural CMs again (they have been experimenting guys in that position, specially RB Severo Meza who simply looked lost in that position)... with the De La Peña and Zavala (Zavala being the biggest add) again I see Monterrey just getting better (maybe a bit late in the league, but well timed for CCL).
Good news for LA Galaxy, Orozco will not play in the semifinals: Jonathan Orozco se perdería el Clásico Regio There would be at least 4, up to 6, weeks of recovery.
MLS once again cleared the league schedule for Seattle and the Galaxy in the semis: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...la-galaxy-seattle-sounders-accomodate-ccl-par
ouch for Rayados in general, they have had terrible luck with injuries this year. who is the back up?