The five Major League Soccer participants involved in the 2019 Concacaf Champions League learned of their first opponents on Monday night.
Sporting Kansas City received the toughest round-of-16 draw, as Peter Vermes’ side is set to take on Liga MX club Toluca.
Atlanta United, which hosts MLS Cup on Saturday night, takes on Costa Rican side Herediano in their its foray into continental play.
U.S. Open Cup champion Houston Dynamo are matched up with CD Guastatoya from Guatemala.
The fourth spot for American MLS clubs will be determined on Saturday, with the New York Red Bulls or Portland Timbers occupying the position in the tournament.
If Atlanta wins MLS Cup, the Red Bulls will play Atletico Pantoja of the Dominican Republic, but if the Timbers take MLS Cup, they’ll be inserted into that matchup.
Canadian champion Toronto FC will take on Independiente of Panama in the round of 16.
The dates of both legs in each of the eight matchups will be announced at a later time.
CCL Round of 16 Matchups
Marathon vs. Santos Laguna
Herediano vs. Atlanta United
Independiente vs. Toronto FC
Sporting Kansas City vs. Club Toluca
Guastatoya vs. Houston Dynamo
Saprissa vs. Tigres
Atletico Pantoja vs. New York Red Bulls/Portland Timbers
Alianza vs. Monterrey
Potential QF of Monterrey vs. Atlanta could be massive.
Tigres vs. Saprissa in the first round should be excellent too.
Why is Pantoja playing NYRB or Portland? Shouldn’t it be Atlanta or one of the former? How can Herediano vs. Atlanta United already be decided if we don’t know if Atlanta is in the CCL via the MLS Cup spot or the 2-year SS?