The CONCACAF Champions League group play will begin this Monday as the Columbus face the Puerto Rico Islanders. The Crew are the defending MLS Cup Champions, while the Islanders were surprise semifinalists last season.
The remaining teams (16) have been placed in four groups (A,B,C,D):
A-Isidro Metapan, Arabe Unido, the Houston Dynamo, and Pachuca
B-D.C. United, Marathón, San Juan Jabloteh, and Toluca
C-Columbus Crew, Cruz Azul, Saprissa, and the Puerto Rico Islanders
D-Comunicaciones, Pumas UNAM, Real España, and W Connection
It will be an exciting tournament for many reasons. First, the best clubs from the entire region will be facing off. Second, CONCACAF is a first-class organization from top to bottom. Third, fans here in America and Canada get to see the elite teams from other areas. We feel that Saprissa and Columbus are the favorites to win it all. A darkhorse could be W Connection, who defeated a struggling New York Red Bull squad 2-1 on August 5.
