Group C: Seattle Sounders, Monterrey, Saprissa, Marathon

Monterrey enters the group as favorites, as is almost always the case with the Mexican clubs. In fact, in the two years of group play, every Mexican side has advanced out of their groups, and seven out of eight have won their groups. So even though this is Monterrey's first appearance in the Champions League in awhile, there is little doubt they are the favorites, even in this tough group. Monterrey has been arguably the best club in Mexico for the past year, winning the Apertura in 2009 and finishing first in points in the Bicentenario before falling in the first round of the playoffs. Monterrey is one of the better defensive sides in Mexico and is certainly a threat to win the tournament.


Saprissa is the most successful team from outside of Mexico in CCL history, having taken three titles, including in 2005, the last non-Mexican team to win. They were also runners-up in 2008, but have not made it out of the group stage the past two years. They represent a real challenge, the best team from a strong league. We have seen them take on many MLS teams in recent years. Just looking at the past five years, in the Champion's Cup format, they knocked out the Wizards in 2005, the Galaxy in 2006 and the Dynamo in 2008. In the new format, they finished ahead of DC United in 2008/2009, while Columbus is the only team to come out ahead of them when they took second in their 2009/2010 group, which included a win in Costa Rica.


Marathon is one of the strongest club from Honduras, and has had much success in the CCL in the past two years. To continue on a theme, they are the only club from outside of Mexico to win their group when they did it in 2008, finishing ahead of Cruz Azul, Saprissa and DC United. They lost in the quarterfinals to Puerto Rico Islanders. Last year they finished second in their group, this time only finishing two points ahead of DC United, before losing to UNAM in the quarterfinals.


Group C should be a lot of fun, with each team capable of advancing. Last night Monterrey beat Saprissa at home in a game they seemed to dominate (I didn't get to watch it). I still will put my faith in the Sounders, they have been playing so well recently that I can't bet against them. That being said, Marathon's recent success is hard to ignore, and I think they will push the Sounders hard for second place behind Monterrey.


Group D: Toluca, Puerto Rico Islanders, FAS, Olimpia

Toluca has been been up and down in recent years, finishing last in the 2007 Clausura, but also winning the 2008 Apertura and 2010 Bicentenario. The clear favorites to advance out of a group left weaker from the Galaxy's defeat.


Olimpia is another familiar face in the tournament, they and Marathon are the strongest two clubs in Honduras. It has been awhile since they have gone deep in the tournament, losing in the preliminary round last year to Arabe Unido and finishing third in their group the year before. Having already picked up an away point from the Islanders, however, they seem to be the team to beat for second in the group.


Puerto Rico Islanders continued their form of performing well in thetournament when they advanced past the Galaxy, but now have their work cut out for them if they are going to make the quarterfinals again,having dropped points at home to their main competition. However it would be a mistake to write them off with only one game played, they should at least make the fight for second place interesting.


FAS is one of the most successful club in Salvadoran football history, but Salvadoran teams have not done well in the CCL in quite awhile. In an interesting note, FAS did win the Champion's Cup in 1979. Given the recent form of Salvadoran teams, I think FAS will find itself at the bottom of the group.


When I look at this group, I can only see how the Galaxy would have a
very reasonable chance at advancing, and the disappointment lingers. That being said, watching the Islanders try to advance may make the group interesting, although it looks like no one will threaten Toluca for the top spot.