The dust is still settling from Real Salt Lake's disappointing loss to Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions League final, but that doesn't mean it's too early to look ahead to the 2011-2012 edition of the tournament.
The draw for this summer's preliminary round will be held May 18, and as many as three Major League Soccer teams will be involved. The Seattle Sounders (last year's U.S. Open cup winner), FC Dallas (MLS Cup runner-up) and the Canadian Championship winner, which figures to be either Toronto FC or Vancouver, will fight for the right to join the Colorado Rapids (MLS Cup winner) and Los Angeles Galaxy (Supporters' Shield winner) in the group stage.
Which of those teams has the best chance to make an extended run like Real Salt Lake? Let's take a look at the options:
The Galaxy, Sounders and Toronto FC all have CCL experience from this past year, although it wasn't necessarily positive experience.
Los Angeles was upset in the preliminary round, and Seattle and Toronto didn't make it out of the group stage. TFC actually fared the best, missing out on the knockout stage by two points and finishing behind Real Salt Lake and Cruz Azul in its group with a record of 2-2-2. Seattle went 1-0-5 in its group, including two losses to eventual champion Monterrey.
Looking ahead, the Galaxy will still boast Landon Donovan, and David Beckham should be around for the group stage before his contract expires. The team has shown it has the depth capable to win league games even without its stars, but will that success translate onto the regional stage?
Seattle could be seen as a viable threat, but the long-term injury to Steve Zakuani definitely does not help the team's credibility on the regional stage. As for TFC, it doesn't have a Dwyane De Rosario-like figure to lean on like in the past and is in rebuilding mode. Should Vancouver unseat Toronto as Canadian champion, the Whitecaps would be exploring uncharted territory.
Newcomers Colorado and FC Dallas present interesting cases. Colorado showed it can hang with anybody in MLS after winning the league title last year, and its physical style of play coupled with its strong strike tandem will make the Rapids a tough out.
FC Dallas likely won't have David Ferreira for the preliminary round, meaning that just getting into the group stage could be a challenge. On its best day, FCD has proven it can be a title-worthy contender. If Dallas can make the group stage, achieve a consistent level of play and have Ferreira come back at 100 percent, it would also make for a tough team to beat.
Which MLS team do you think has the best shot at making a deep run in the upcoming CONCACAF Champions League? Cast your vote here:
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How did you vote? Which team do you think has the best shot at making a deep run? Do you see any team making it past the quarterfinals?
Share your thoughts below.