The CONCACAF Champions League has undergone some changes ahead of the 2018 competition, and now the field is set ahead of the upcoming draw.
A total of 16 teams will compete in the 2018 CCL with the official draw set for Monday Dec. 18. The new-look tournament will feature a knockout format from the start with teams playing a home-and-away series all through the tournament. As a result, the competition will conclude with quarterfinal, semifinal and final rounds in the months of March and April.
Higher-ranked team from Pot 1 will be drawn against lower-rated opposition from Pot 2. Pot 1 is made up entirely of teams from MLS and Liga MX with Toronto FC, the New York Red Bulls and the Seattle Sounders representing MLS. Meanwhile, the Colorado Rapids round out the list of MLS participants with a spot in Pot 2.
Pot 2 also features CS Herediano, a wild card addition that replaces Guatemala’s participant, Antigua, who was disqualified due to FIFA’s suspension of the Guatemalan federation.
Here’s a full look at the teams involved:
Pot 1: Toronto FC (CAN), CD Guadalajara (MEX), Club America (MEX), Tigres UANL (MEX), Club Tijuana (MEX), FC Dallas (USA), New York Red Bulls (USA) and Seattle Sounders FC (USA)
Pot 2: Deportivo Saprissa (CRC), CS Herediano (CRC*), Cibao FC (DOM), FC Motagua (HON), Club Deportivo Olimpia (HON), Tauro FC (PAN), Santa Tecla FC (SLV) and Colorado Rapids (USA)
I just don’t care about this competition. I’m sure it appears that my dislike is based upon the fact that no MLS team has ever won it, but it’s actually more because I don’t know most of the Central American teams. And the fact that Dallas and Colorado’s participation is based on what they did 18 months ago, even though they sucked this season, just makes it that much harder to care.
No matter what region, CL is about a team being consistently good over a long period of time. MLS is not set up to be like this with it’s parity bias. Add to that the immense roster $$ difference and we are definitely underdogs in this fight.
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I still enjoy watching though, we’ve gone down and surprised a few teams in the past. I am in no way an RSL fan but was rooting for them when they went on their run, same for Montreal.
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We are getting closer though, so it won’t be too long before we break through.
They are fixing that 18 month problem. The four 2019 qualifiers go to the 2020 CCL. The four 2020 qualifiers go to the 2021 CCL…etc.