So, who do we think are going to get out of the group stage? Granted, still a few games to complete the groups, but for the most part, we know who will be in each group. I'm taking UNAM Pumas and FC Dallas out of their group. Toronto might be able to make things a bit difficult for Dallas, but I can't see them knocking one of the best teams in MLS out. Anyone have insights on Tauro?
Agreed on the Mexican clubs. And LA has a tough challenge in its group, no doubt. Which other US team doesn't make the cut, do you think? Seattle? Colorado? or Dallas?
Group A Morelia gets through. As much as I want to be optimistic about the Galaxy, I can't get past last year's meltdown versus Puerto Rico. Alajuelense and Motogua are also in the group. I'll go with Motogua as the 2nd team. Group B Santos and Colorado go through. Real Espana and Metapan do not. Group C UNAM and Dallas look to be the class of this group. Tauro and Toronto's rides end here. Group D Monterrey, of course. I think Seattle can rise to the challenge this year. Communiciones and Herediano don't go through.
I am more confident on LA than on Seattle and Colorado. Colorado would have a great adventage in the elimination round, home game at altitude and with February weather.
A 1. Morelia 2. Motagua B 1. Santos Laguna 2. Real España C 1. Pumas 2. Dallas D 1. Monterrey 2. Comunicaciones
Group A: Morelia & Motagua Group B: Santos Laguna & Real España Group C: Pumas & Dallas Group D: Monterrey & Herediano
Did you not see them lose to an awful Houston team recently? Much as I wish MLS would do better, I have to admit I fear that the predictions of Dallas only getting through are probably true.... Or at least very possible.
Morelia, Montagua, Santos, Colorado, FCD, Pumas, Monterrey, Herediano. This year Mexican teams are more vulnerable than ever before. I think that there's a chance UNAM doesn't go through at all.
Not to mention that the loss is taken out of context if you don't include the fact they traveled to Panama and then directly to Houston after that. I said last year we'd be lucky to finish third and people laughed at me. This year I think we'd be under-achieving if we finished 3rd. However, I wouldn't be incredibly surprised if we were curb stomped once or twice. Especially in away matches.
All 4 Mexican teams, 3 from MLS (LA, Dallas, Colorado) + Herediano. No way Seattle is even close to as good as RSL was last year, and wouldn't be even if Zakuani was healthy, which he isn't.
In a dream I once had, all 5 MLS teams advance. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgY0mL_OrEI&feature=mh_lolz&list=LLPwrRgx-IKoI"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgY0mL_OrEI&feature=mh_lolz&list=LLPwrRgx-IKoI[/ame]
Well Seattle is head and shoulder better than Colorado. Seattle is just about even with Dallas on points per game in league play. Colorado lags way behind both of them.
Group A: Morelia & Motagua Group B: Santos Laguna & Colorado Group C: Pumas & Dallas* Group D: Monterrey & Herediano *I honestly see TFC screwing this up somehow, may be due to some very bs reffing in Dallas (this always happens).
it does but Pumas looks good. No way they get stuck in group stages. Now if you would have used Santos Laguna as your example I might not be so quick to disagree. Their coach sucks, they lost at home to Tijuana 3-1, and they were lucky to get past Olimpia in the prelim.....Olimpia had over 20 corner kicks in the second leg.
I predict Group A: LA Galaxy & Morelia Group B: Santos & Colorado Group C: Pumas & Dallas Group D: Monterrey & Comunicaciones
Santos's group looks far too easy. They will likely escape. Toronto's going to show up in the CCL and we don't know how much Pumas will (they didn't have to face a ton of quality when they won their 2008-2009 champions league group and promptly exited in the quarterfinals.)