D.C. United and the Montreal Impact will be flying the flag for MLS when the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals begin early next year, and now know who they will face following the conclusion of the group stage.
United, who earned the top seed for the quarterfinals after becoming the only team in the tournament to finish the group stage with a perfect 12 points from four games, will face Costa Rican outfit Alajuelense, who won Group 6 with just six points. The seeding was determined based on the qualifying teams' point totals in the group stage.
The Impact also grabbed a top-four seed despite being held by an understrength New York Red Bulls side in their Group 3 finale. They will face fifth-seeded Pachuca, the three-time winners from Liga MX.
Both United and the Impact will have the benefit of hosting the second leg of their series at home. Per a CONCACAF release, the provisional range of dates for the first leg of the quarterfinals is Feb. 24-26, with the second legs on March 3-5. Exact dates and times will be announced by CONCACAF in the near future.
The conclusion of the group stage marked another impressive achievement in Costa Rican soccer this year, as they will be sending three teams – more than any other country – to the knockout stage: Saprissa, Alajuelense and Herediano. This, after the national team made a run to the World Cup quarterfinals before falling on penalties to the Netherlands.
After Costa Rica, Mexico will send two teams, with the United States, Canada and Honduras sending one apiece.
2014-15 CCL Quarterfinal Matchups (higher seed listed first)
D.C. United (USA) vs. Alajuelense (CRC)
Club America (MEX) vs. Saprissa (CRC)
Herediano (CRC) vs. Olimpia (HON)
Montreal Impact (CAN) vs. Pachuca (MEX)
