MLSsoccer.com editors and Cobi Jones make their picks for Wednesday first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final (9 pm ET, FOX Sports 2, UniMás in US, Sportsnet World, TVA Sports 2 in Canada, match preview).
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL: LEG 1
<b>Editor</b> |
<b>Pick</b> |
<b>Reason</b> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/GregLalas_0.jpg" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 0px; width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p><strong>Greg Lalas</strong><br><em>Editor-In-Chief</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/04/1292.png" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><strong>3-1</strong> |
<p>Las Aguilas have a ton of scoring power, but I expect <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/ignacio-piatti" target="_blank">Nacho Piatti</a> to have a blinder and get an all-important away goal. </p> |
<strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/JasonSaghini_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong><p><strong>Jason Saghini</strong><br><em>Director of Video</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/04/1292.png" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><strong>3-1</strong> |
<p>Maybe wishful thinking, as America showed their muscle in their last CCL match, but Montreal did show that they know how to prep for a matchup in Mexico. They keep it close and have a chance in Leg 2!</p> |
<strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Rosano_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong><p><strong>Nick Rosano</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/04/1292.png" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><strong>3-1</strong> |
<p>The Impact will find a way to nick their fearsome opponents’ armor in Mexico City, but América’s quality and home field advantage should shine through. The big goal for the Impact here is to keep a series win within arm’s reach heading into the second leg, which this result would do.</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/AndrewWiebe_0.jpg" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 0px; width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p><strong>Andrew Wiebe</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/04/1292.png" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><strong>2-0</strong> |
<p>Montreal put in a valiant effort in CONCACAF’s most daunting venue, but Carlos Darwin Quintero spoils the Impact’s night yet again in CCL play. Still plenty to play for in the second leg.</p> |
<em><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Doyle_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong></em><p><strong>Matt Doyle</strong><br><em>Armchair Analyst</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/04/1292.png" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><strong>3-1</strong> |
<p>Montreal get one early on the counter, but their propensity to flatten out when bunkering comes back to bite them in a big way.</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Borg_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p><strong>Simon Borg</strong><br><em>Senior Editor</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/04/1292.png" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><strong>2-1</strong> |
<p>This match will be more competitive than people think, and it'll set the table for a scrumptious second leg.</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/BENJAMIN_50x50.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p><strong>Ben Baer</strong><br><em>Researcher</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/04/1292.png" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><strong>4-1</strong> |
<p>Just too much firepower in the América attack. Montreal will try to bunker and counter, which could lead to one goal for the good, but ultimately it will be hard to contain Carlos Darwin Quintero, Rubens Sambueza and co.</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/COBI_250x139_0.jpg" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10px; width: 50px; height: 50px; background-color: rgb(167, 167, 167);"><p><strong>Cobi Jones</strong><br><em>MLS and USMNT legend</em><br></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/04/1292.png" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><strong>3-1</strong> |
<p>A goal each for altitude (home field), Dario Benedetto and Montreal defensive struggles. A goal for Montreal with potent attack.</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/04/Folg%20Headshot.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p><strong>Matt Folger</strong><br><em>Social Media</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/1616_200x200_0.png" style="font-size: 9px; width: 50px; height: 50px;"><strong>1-0</strong> |
<p>#MLS4Montreal</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/Slerns%2050x50.jpg" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 0px; width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p><strong>Sarah Lerner</strong><br><em>Social Media</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/04/1292.png" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><strong>2-0</strong> |
<p>I<br>
I believe<br>
I believe that<br>
I believe that we<br>
I BELIEVE THAT WE WON’T LOSE THAT BADLY IN FRONT OF 100K PEOPLE IN ENEMY TERRITORY</p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/ALICIA_50x50.jpg" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 0px; width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p><strong>Alicia Rodriguez</strong><br><em>Contributing Editor</em></p> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/04/1292.png" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><strong>4-0</strong> |
<p>I want to believe! But I think América will show up for their home leg and attempt to put the series to bed immediately.</p> |
<strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 10px; background-color: rgb(167, 167, 167);"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/DiegoPinzon_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong><p><strong>Diego Pinzon</strong><br><em>FutbolMLS editor</em></p> |
<strong>DRAW</strong><b>2-2</b> |
<p>#marquonslhistoire</p> |
