Hi. While there are still two evening's worth of prelim games to play, the likely group stage compositions are already on their way to taking shape. Of the 4 groups we are likely to have (or may have if you respond to this thread after Thursday) which will you have the most interest in following? (And to clarify, I don't mean just because a team you support is in such and such a group - but more in terms of the potential each group has to produce some interesting match-ups.) For me, it's looking like Group C will be the one to watch. Cruz Azul (assuming Herediano don't pull off a miracle at the Estadio Azul...) and Saprissa will be strong, the Islanders will look to give as good an account of themselves as they did last season, and it will be interesting to see how the Crew's CCL debut will go. I'll be keeping an eye on how D.C. and Pachuca do in their groups, but I can't say I'm overly excited about Group D, however.
Group C is the only remotely interesting & competitive group. Group D is only interesting because of curiosity to see DC United eat 5 or 6 goals in Pachuca
Group A: Arabe Unido Houston Dynamo Metapan Pachuca Group B: DC United Marathon San Juan Jabloteh Toluca Group C: Columbus Crew Cruz Azul Puerto Rico Islanders Saprissa Group D: Comunicaciones Real España UNAM W Connection
Group C is defintely the most interesting. Last years runner-up and former winners (Cruz Azul), Puerto Rico who lost to Cruz Azul in the semis last year, and if they can make it out of the group will defintely solidify their reputation. Saprissa who are the best team outside of Mexico, and Columbus who in my opinion are flying the flag of MLS as the League Champions and playoff champions. I think there is a chance that any team could win it, and any team could get in 2nd place, definitely a possiblity of seeing Cruz Azul not even make it out of the group. The rest of the groups seem like for sure locks in regards to the Mexican team getting first place. In group A Houston should get through as second place. Group B Marathon seems the likely second place but here's to hoping that DC United make it interesting at least. Group D... yawn, maybe we'll see the first T&T or Guatemalan quarterfinalist.
One year does not make the Islanders a better team. In last years CCL the Islanders went to the semis, great. They also got less points in the group stage than Saprissa did, while Saprissa was in what many had called the group of death that year. In 2007 Saprissa finished 2nd in the UNCUF Club Championship, while Puerto Rico finished third in the CFU Club Championship. (Meaning that for the 2008 Champions Cup Saprissa was good enough to qualify and the Islanders were not, and Saprissa went on to finish second in the 2008 Champions Cup) I think Islanders being better than Saprissa is debatable just on the last CCL's results, and if you take into account we should be judging on more than just one year the Islanders have not yet proved themselves.
no doubt it is group c The Islanders will look for revenge on Cruz Azul for knocking them out in the Semifinals and so will Saprissa for that 4-0 ass kicking they recieved
As a Crew fan, it would be C for me. But even as a neutral, I think most would say C. You've got 2 traditional CONCACAF champs who have won the tournament 8 times between them: Cruz Azul (5 time winners, T1st of any team), and Saprissa (3 time winners). Both have had recent success in the tourney. You have a semifinalist from last year, Puerto Rico, who lost a heartbreaker to Cruz Azul. And you have the best team in MLS, who are taking the competition very seriously, be all appearances. Of course, Unido just made that group pretty interesting as well: 4-1!!??
Pumas - Mexico's Champion Connection of T&T - Fast and Skillful Team Real Espana - Honduras top teams Seeing Comunicaciones play on Group D - Priceless