CONCACAF Confederations Champions Cup Does anyone know when this schedule will be coming out? It would be interesting to see what happens as July looks to be a busy month for all of us and I believe that the US Open Cup, and the Confederations cup will be playing the 2nd phase of this tourney then. How is this Years Cup set up? Round Robin 4 groups of 4? Or will be be home and home through the end?
last i heard it was starting in late february or early to mid march, and it would be in round robin groups of 4, a la the champions league in europe. (both the first and second stage.) i think the round robin idea is a horrid one, as this tourney must in many ways be a money loser, and it creates many more games than is probably necessary. from mls' point of view it's also tough as we have such regimented (and small) rosters. it should be a great experience for the players participating though, albeit a taxing one. it almost killed kc's season last year, as they barely survived their ccc obligations along with their simultaneous participation in the open cup (as well as, obviously, the regular mls season). it'd be nice to see a few games on tv. fsw might be able to get the rights for practically nothing, though for all i know, there's no feed so they couldn't even do it.
According to the CONCACAF newsletter, the first round (round of 16) legs are scheduled for Feb 26 and Mar 12.
This is the deal, as reported in the December newsletter: CHAMPIONS CUP: The field is nearly set for the first round proper of the 2003 FC Champions Cup, again to be played over two legs from the round-of-16 onward. The six Central Zone qualifiers have already been decided: CSD Comunicaciones and CSD Guatemala from Guatemala, the only country with two teams, along with CD F.A.S. (El Salvador), Deportivo Arabe Unido (Panama), CD Motagua (Honduras) and LD Alajuelense (Costa Rica). In addition, the four U.S. clubs were decided with the completion of the 2002 Major League Soccer schedule: MLS Cup champion and runner-up Los Angeles Galaxy and New England Revolution, U.S. Open Cup winner Columbus Crew, and MLS Supporters’ Shield winner San Jose Earthquakes. One Caribbean Zone finalists was determined when Arnett Gardens FC captured their group final; the other will come from W Connection FC (Trinidad & Tobago), FICA (Haiti), Harbour View FC (Jamaica) and US Robert (Martinique). As well, the four Mexican representatives will be known following the completion of the 2002 Torneo Apertura in the Primera Division. Tom
It is. For the second straight year they've backed off of prior announcements about going to opening round groups. Knockout it is.
concacaf dates Some teams objected to the late February/early March dates. CONCACAF is supposed announce the revised dates Friday.
Here are the teams so far that are in the Champions Cup as of 1/9 USA LA Galaxy(MLS Cup champions and Supporter's Shield) Columbus Crew(US Open Cup Champions) NE Revolution(MLS Cup Runner-ups) SJ Earthquakes(2nd best MLS record) CenAM Deportivo Arabe Unido(Panama) CD F.A.S(El Salvador) LD Alajuelense(Costa Rica) CD Motagua(Honduras) CSD Comunicaciones(Guatamala) CSD Municipal(Guatamala) Carribean Arnett Gardens FC(Jamacia) W Connection (T&T) Mexico Toluca(apertura cup) Club America (apertura point leader) ? ? Mexico is still deciding who the other two teams will be. I'm pretty sure Morelia will be in the tournament as runner ups to apertura cup. I thought mayby UNAM, but they are going to the Copa Libertores. Hopefully they get their heads out their ass and announce the final two shortly.