All eyes will be on the Montreal Impact and D.C. United this week, as far as MLS fans are concerned, during their Scotiabank Champions League quarterfinal ties against Pachuca and Alajuelense, respectively.
But those two games make up only half the equation – these are the quarterfinals, after all. Below, we will take a look at the other two quarterfinal ties, the winners of which will face each other in the semifinals.
CD Olimpia vs. CS Herediano (Tues., 8 pm ET, Fox Sports 2)
The opening match of the quarterfinals doesn't bring the same name recognition as the other three series do, but what you will find are a pair of teams that have been here before but are looking to reach even greater heights this time around.
Olimpia, winners of the old CONCACAF Champions Cup in 1988 and 2000, sprung a surprise on the Portland Timbers to reach the quarterfinal round for the first time since 2011, snatching a big enough victory on the final day of the group stage to usurp the top spot in Group 5.
Herediano, a last-minute addition to the tournament after Belize's Belmopan Bandits were disqualified, scored arguably an even bigger upset when they held off Mexico's Leon in the group stage. The 23-time Costa Rican champions have never won the tournament, but are making their fourth straight appearance and made their first quarterfinal appearance in the 2012-13 edition, where they were knocked out by the LA Galaxy on a 4-1 aggregate scoreline.
On the field, Herediano will be without forward Yendrick Ruiz for the first leg, though they will be able to welcome him back for the second. The 6'1" forward will be a welcome return after following up his 11 regular-season goals in the 2014 Torneo de Verano with a remarkable five in four playoff games as Herediano fell just short of the title. In the meantime, forward Cristian Lagos, who's scored in each of the past two games after making the move from Santos de Guapiles to start 2015, is likely to shoulder some of the scoring burden.
For Olimpia, the man to watch on the field will almost certainly be 21-year-old forward Anthony Lozano, who is fresh off a pair of goals for Honduras in two early February friendlies against Venezuela and scored two goals in that vital win over Portland. He'll likely be partnered by another rising Honduran international, Rommell Quioto, while both should be helped by some guile in the midfield from their new No. 10, newly-acquired Uruguayan veteran Mario Leguizamon.
The second leg of the tie will take place in Heredia, Costa Rica on March 5 at 8 pm ET.
Deportivo Saprissa vs. Club America (Weds., 9 pm ET, Fox Sports 2)
It doesn't get much bigger than this when you're talking about CONCACAF heavyweights. America have won the continental title a grand total of five times, only one shy of all-time leaders Cruz Azul, while Saprissa have the best record of any non-Mexican team in the competition, with three wins (the last coming in 2005).
So, don't be surprised if you see a few fireworks in this one. Saprissa are riding high after defeating archrivals Alajuelense in the clásico this weekend and looking to make home-field advantage count against one of the premier teams in the region.
America aren't doing so badly themselves, however, currently sitting second in Liga MX with 14 points from seven games and just a couple months removed from a record 12th Mexican title. They have gone back to the much-ballyhooed 3-5-2 formation that they became known for under Miguel Herrera and have since rattled off consecutive league victories.
On the backline for America is almost certain to be, well, an American. After getting his break in CCL group stage play last year, Ventura Alvarado has made one of the starting center back spots his own, and with America likely to field close to a full choice lineup in San Jose, you can bet he'll see some more time here.
One man Alvarado will almost certainly be tasked with stopping is Saprissa's Ariel Rodriguez, who along with America's Martin Zuniga led the group stage scoring charts with five goals in four games, including the one that put Saprissa in the quarters instead of Sporting Kansas City. Winger Marvin Angulo should add some pace on the right, while newly-signed Uruguayan left back Sebastian Diana has made an instant impression with two goals in four league games so far.
Despite the threat Rodriguez & Co. can pose, America's veritable stable of star Liga MX forwards and strong roster seem to make them favorites not only in this tie, but to win the whole competition. They were knocked out in the group stage in 2013-14 by Alajuelense, but the ownership has made clear this time around that it's Club World Cup or bust.
The second leg of the tie will take place in Mexico City, Mexico on March 4 at 10 pm ET.
