Group A

Árabe Unido

Hometown: Colon, Panama

Stadium: Estadio Rommel Fernandez

Manager: Richard Parra (Colombia)

Qualification Method: Winners of Liga Panameña Apertura 2009 and Clausura 2010

Champions League Appearances: 2; quarterfinals in 2009-10

Honors: 6 titles in Liga Panameña

An up-and-coming team in the region, Árabe Unido made an unexpected run to the CCL quarterfinals last year, knocking the Houston Dynamo out of the group stage and posting an impressive 4-1 home win over Mexican powerhouse Pachuca.

The attack is led by striker Orlando Rodríguez, who has scored a whopping 50 goals in just 63 matches since rejoining the club in 2008. His partnership with Victor Rene Mendieta Jr. or Manuel Mosquera will give them a formidable attack. Though the player to watch could be 22-year-old midfielder Armando Cooper, who was recently capped for Panama and who will act as the conduit between the back and the front.

Cruz Azul

Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico

Stadium: Estadio Azul

Manager: Enrique Meza (Mexico)

Qualification Method: Mexican Apertura runner-up

Champions League Appearances: 2; runner-up in 2009-2010

Honors: 5 CONCACAF championships (1969, 1970, 1971, 1996, 1997), 8 titles in the Primera División

The five-time continental champions were a minute away from winning their sixth last season, but they conceded a late goal to Pachuca in the second leg of the final and had to settle for second.

Blessed with attackers like Tito Villa and Christian Giménez, the Azulinos have a tendency to use the CCL group stages as a test ground for younger players, though, captain Gerardo Torrado and defender Fausto Pinto have often appeared in group play. La Maquina Celeste will have their hands full this time, though, and manager Enrique Meza—who coached Pachuca to two CCL titles—could use his regulars this time around to ensure that they advance from an unpredictable group.

Real Salt Lake

Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Stadium: Rio Tinto Stadium

Manager: Jason Kreis (USA)

Qualification Method: 2009 MLS Cup champion

Champions League Appearances: None

Honors: 2009 MLS Cup

The reigning MLS Cup champions have made the Champions League a priority in their maiden participation. With the likes of Javier Morales, Kyle Beckerman, and Will Johnson, RSL boast one of the most balanced and dynamic midfields on the continent.

They also boast MLS’ top offense (36 goals in 21 games), led by recently acquired Costa Rican striker Álvaro Saborío, who won the 2005 CONCACAF tournament with Saprissa. He gives them some handy international experience. Their additional great advantage is Rio Tinto, where they have not lost in more than a year, thanks to the combination of altitude and rabid supporters. Provided RSL’s 2010 script holds, they should advance to the knockout stage.

Toronto FC

Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Stadium: BMO Field

Manager: Preki (Serbia)

Qualification Method: Winners of 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship

Champions League Appearances: 2; qualifying round in 2009-2010

Honors: 2 Canadian Championships (2009, 2010)

Last year, TFC’s inaugural foray into international competition ended before it truly got under way. The Reds stumbled against the surprising Puerto Rico Islanders in the preliminary qualifying round.

In the wake of that loss and another playoff-less season, the club replaced the manager with Preki. He has built a tough, organized side that has yet to lose at BMO this season. Thanks to the stringent defense and the individual talent of Dwayne De Rosario and Chad Barrett, they proved their international mettle against Honduran side Motagua, winning 1-0 at home and then gutting out a 2-2 draw in the away leg to earn a spot in the group stage. However, getting out of this group is a tough proposition considering the travel required to Utah and Mexico City.

Group Dynamic

Most likely, fans of group favorites Cruz Azul are not nervous about their opponents in Group A. This is understandable considering their lack of knowledge about MLS sides; however, Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC are not pushover sides this year. RSL have the talent and the cohesion to compete internationally, and TFC are disciplined enough to cause problems. Plus, Árabe Unido have proven difficult for anyone to beat in Panama.

However, los Azulinos are the favorites for good reason. They are loaded with talent and experience. Coach Enrique Meza has won the CCL before, and he has one of his old warhorses in the squad: “El Chaco” Gimenez, one of the most crafty #10s in the hemisphere and a two-time CCL winner.

El Chaco will be a centerpiece on August 25 when Cruz Azul host RSL in a mouth-watering, tone-setting match between the two best sides in the group. No MLS team has won a CCL match in Mexico, but RSL feel they have the ability to do it.

The biggest underdog in the group are, obviously, Árabe Unido, whose magical 2009 quarterfinal run seems unlikely at best this time around. They will be hard to beat at home, but not nearly as hard to beat as TFC, whose unfavored chances are probably better discussed. Few expect the Reds to compete with Cruz Azul or RSL, but their home form will give them an outside shot at advancement. Will it be enough? Probably not. But if they can get a win at home over RSL on September 15, they’ll make it interesting.