Photo by Nick Turchiaro/ISIphotos.com
There were solid odds that two MLS teams would have to go up against each other in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, and that scenario unfolded during Tuesday's quarterfinal draw in New York.
The Los Angeles Galaxy drew Toronto FC for the first round of the knockout stage, which commences in March.
The Seattle Sounders will go up against Mexican side Santos Laguna, while defending champion Monterrey clashes with Morelia, and Pumas UNAM meets Isidro Metapan in the final pairings.
The winners of the Galaxy-TFC and Seattle-Santos ties will meet in the semifinals, meaning an all-MLS final is not a possibility, but there's a solid chance of an MLS team reaching the final. The Monterrey/Morelia and Pumas/Metapan winners will meet in the other semifinal.
Teams couldn't be drawn against other clubs from their group, but there were no restrictions on teams from the same league playing against each other in the quarterfinals. The Galaxy-TFC matchup marks the second straight tournament in which two MLS sides were paired together in the quarterfinals. Real Salt Lake defeated the Columbus Crew during its run to the 2010-2011 CCL final.
The first legs of the quarterfinals will be played March 6-8, and the second legs will take place March 13-15. The teams from the runner-up pool (Seattle, Toronto, Morelia, Isidro Metapan) will host the first-leg matches.
What do you think of the draw? How do you see the MLS sides faring?
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