http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008–09_CONCACAF_Champions_League Had to backtrack through Wiki, they were both in the first edition of the CCL. Alajuelense went out to Puerto Rico in the prelims, Saprissa finished third in their group behind Marathon and Cruz Azul. D.C. United's only result in that tournament is what kept Saprissa from advancing, which is sort of hilarious.
In Mexico and Central America, playoff results don't count towards the full-year table, so Rio Abajo are already as good as gone from the LPF. If they win the Clausura final (tonight at 9:00 p.m. EDT, btw), in the fall they'll play against Thierry Henry in midweek and Teo Henrique the part-time construction worker on the weekend.
Bullet dodged: Chorrillo won the Clausura Final 1-0 to earn themselves a chance at redemption. 2014-15 CCL Qualifiers 1) DC United [USA4] 2) New York Red Bulls [USA2] 3) Portland Timbers [USA3] 4) Sporting Kansas City [USA1] 5) Tauro [PAN1] 6) Club América [MEX3] 7) Club León [MEX1] 8) Comunicaciones [GUA1] 9) Real España [HON2] 10) Isidro Metapán [SLV1 or SLV2] 11) LD Alajuelense [CRC1] 12) Real Estelí [NCA] 13) Puerto Rico Bayamón FC (PUR) [CFU] 14) Waterhouse FC (JAM) [CFU] 15) Alpha United (GUY) [CFU] 16) Olimpia [HON1] 17) CF Pachuca [MEX2] 18) Deportivo Saprissa [CRC2] 19) Cruz Azul [MEX4] 20) Municipal [GUA2] 21) Chorrillo FC [PAN2]
Wikipedia reporting (though no source is given) that Belmopan Bandits won the Closing title 4-0 on aggregate last night to complete the Opening/Closing double and qualification to this years CCL (subject to confirmation from CONCACAF regarding the stadium situation).
Today in El Salvador, Isidro Metapán and recently-promoted Dragón won their semifinal series against Juventud and FAS (respectively) to reach the Clausura final. Since the caleros finished higher in the full-year table, they're now guaranteed the top seed for their country...but FAS still have a shot at the CCL. As I learned the hard way a couple years ago, El Salvador does not give preference to runners-up for hand-me-down spots left behind by back-to-back champions. Thus, while Dragón can live the Tijuana/León dream of shooting up from the second division to continental play by winning the Clausura, a Metapán triumph favors the tigrillos, top of the full-year table with 64 points. 2014-15 CCL Qualifiers 1) DC United [USA4] 2) New York Red Bulls [USA2] 3) Portland Timbers [USA3] 4) Sporting Kansas City [USA1] 5) Tauro [PAN1] 6) Club América [MEX3] 7) Club León [MEX1] 8) Comunicaciones [GUA1] 9) Real España [HON2] 10) Isidro Metapán [SLV1] 11) LD Alajuelense [CRC1] 12) Real Estelí [NCA] 13) Puerto Rico Bayamón FC (PUR) [CFU] 14) Waterhouse FC (JAM) [CFU] 15) Alpha United (GUY) [CFU] 16) Olimpia [HON1] 17) CF Pachuca [MEX2] 18) Deportivo Saprissa [CRC2] 19) Cruz Azul [MEX4] 20) Municipal [GUA2] 21) Chorrillo FC [PAN2] 22) Belmopan Bandits [BLZ]*
According to Google Translate, yes: "This Thursday unveiled the drums for the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League, after the draw of the event to be held on 28 and 29 May."
28 AND 29?!?! I know they messed up last year but ca'mon guys, if the dude doing the draw reads the rules before hand, should only take 15 minutes top!!
They're going to display a new feature in this draw: showing the previous tournament in its entirety.
MLS reporting the draw takes place next Wednesday, May 28th in Miami. Article confirms Belmopan Bandits to represent Belize (again, subject to confirmation). EDIT: Isnt there a mistake in the teams the Canadian team can play? I am fairly sure they can only be drawn against MEX/USA teams from Pot A, not any of the Central American Teams.
From an all-inclusive standpoint, I hope that Belmopan can play. From a competitive standpoint, I really hope they can't.
It doesn't say at what time the draw will be. I'm assuming it will be an afternoon affair so it won't interfere with the Mexico-Israel match and the ACC Final. And let's hope they remove ineligible teams before each team's draw this year so they won't have to go through the embarrassment again of redrawing. Last year's redraw was worse than elementary school playlot antics. If a team is ineligible to be drawn with the other, then remove them before the draw. The Concacaf couldn't do something that simple.
There is nothing wrong with the draw mechanics itself. It is conducted in the same manner as the FIFA World Cup or UEFA Europa League draw (whereby if a team is placed into a group which will create a clash, they are moved to the next available group). The guy explained that last year before conducting the draw, but when the draw was underway, he forgot!!!!
Tough luck for Dragón, who took the Salvadoran Clausura final all the way to penalties; but Isidro Metapán won the shootout 6-5 to double up on domestic titles and open the back door for FAS. Now taking bets on whether CONCACAF throws out Belize on Monday or Tuesday... 2014-15 CCL Qualifiers 1) DC United [USA4] 2) New York Red Bulls [USA2] 3) Portland Timbers [USA3] 4) Sporting Kansas City [USA1] 5) Tauro [PAN1] 6) Club América [MEX3] 7) Club León [MEX1] 8) Comunicaciones [GUA1] 9) Real España [HON2] 10) Isidro Metapán [SLV1] 11) LD Alajuelense [CRC1] 12) Real Estelí [NCA] 13) Puerto Rico Bayamón FC (PUR) [CFU] 14) Waterhouse FC (JAM) [CFU] 15) Alpha United (GUY) [CFU] 16) Olimpia [HON1] 17) CF Pachuca [MEX2] 18) Deportivo Saprissa [CRC2] 19) Cruz Azul [MEX4] 20) Municipal [GUA2] 21) Chorrillo FC [PAN2] 22) Belmopan Bandits [BLZ]* 23) FAS [SLV2]
This article from last year highlights where their stadium falls short of standards: "Despite their efforts with the stadium lights, it was still inadequate, said Vicente. But not only did the stadium need more lights, but the Champions League officials are now saying that a camera stand is a requirement also, as well as a back-up generator for the stadium. Furthermore, the team locker rooms must be air-conditioned (ours are not), and they must have 12 shower stalls each for both teams. Besides that, there must be at least three 5-star hotels within an hour’s drive from the stadium, because each team as well as the game officials must stay at separate hotels. “No way could we meet all those requirements right now,” said Vicente, who revealed that up until quite recently he was under the impression that the lighting was the main concern." I also found this article from the weekend that states: "Providing the FFB Stadium is ready on schedule in August, the Bandits will represent Belize in the CONCACAF Champions’ League this year." So it looks like Belize are putting in the effort into making the stadium adequate. I have a feeling they will be included in the draw.... whether they get replaced later (by Herediano?) remains to be seen.
Perhaps...but in the past, CONCACAF's been good at letting Nicaragua and Belize know where they stand ahead of the draw.
Pots announced for tonights draw. Belmopan Bandits included!!!!!! Draw streamed live on CONCACAF.com from 7pm ET