#CCLFEVER (R)

They had chances to increase their leads in both games, but didn't convert, blowing a 2-0 lead away, a 2-1 lead at home, and 2 penalties. That sounds about par for the course for a team like the Sounders that seems to struggle early in the season.

 

Seattle is always better the second half of the season. That hurt them here.

 

No Lodeiro and Seattle is a different team.

 

Here’s 538’s ranking for each team

1. LAFC 133
2. Tigres 139
3. Club America 141
4. Cruz Azul 160
5. Atlanta 219
6. NYCFC 231
7. Montreal 415
8. Olimpia NR

Sounds like LAFC has as good a shot as anyone as the top four are bunched together. I’ve asked 538 for CCL predictions by game and tournament.

 

Plenty of talent to beat Olimpia. They choked it away, they didn't get beat by a better team.

 

Agree. But they still are a different team without Lodeiro. He's their engine.

 

Based on that, the matchups from best average rank to worst average rank are:

1. LAFC vs. Cruz Azul: 146.5
2. Club America vs. Atlanta: 180
3. Tigres vs. NYCFC: 185
4. Montreal vs. Olimpia

You gave ranks. I hope they provide values. The two clubs that have the best average rank don't have to have the best average value because the gap between consecutive clubs isn't constant. In this case, it's safe to say the first matchup has the highest average value, but the middle two could go either way in average value.