HOUSTON, TX --
The Houston Dynamo learned their draw for the group stage of the inaugural CONCACAF Champions League when the results of the draw were announced by CONCACAF on Monday.
The Dynamo, one of eight automatic qualifiers for the 16-team group stage, will begin play in mid-September. In late August and early September, 16 other teams will compete for the final eight spots.
When the group stage begins, the Dynamo will compete in Group B. Houston will be joined by Salvadoran club Luis Angel Firpo and the winners of two preliminary series. Mexican club Pumas UNAM and Jamaican club Harbour View will play one preliminary series, while the other will pit Panama's San Francisco against the loser of a Guatemalan playoff between CSD Municipal and Deportivo Jalapa.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage of the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League, with the quarterfinals beginning in late February 2009. The winner of this edition of the CONCACAF Champions League advances to the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup.
Houston Dynamo CONCACAF Champions' League Group B fixtures:
Sept. 17 - Dynamo vs. Luis Angel Firpo
Sept. 23 - Dynamo at San Francisco/Jalapa/Municipal
Sept. 30 - Dynamo at Pumas/Harbour View
Oct. 8 - Dynamo vs. San Francisco/Jalapa/Municipal
Oct. 22 - Dynamo vs. Pumas/Harbour View
Oct. 28 - Dynamo at Luis Angel Firpo
Times and venues to be announced.
The Houston Dynamo, two-time defending MLS Cup champions, continue their MLS season with a game Saturday night on the road against the Colorado Rapids. The Dynamo's next home game is June 26 against FC Dallas. For more information, call (713) 276-7500 or log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com.
