This is the Group E preview as the 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League gets underway on Aug. 4-6. For comprehensive CONCACAF Champions League coverage, bookmark this page.
Club América | HOW QUALIFIED: 2014 Apertura Champions | PREVIOUS BEST: Champions (Most recent: 2014-15)
Motagua | HOW QUALIFIED: 2014 Apertura Champions | PREVIOUS BEST: Group stage (Most recent: 2011-12)
Walter Ferretti | HOW QUALIFIED: Nicaraguan Premier League champions with better aggregate record in 2014-15 season | PREVIOUS BEST: 1st appearance
DAVID AND GOLIATH
Group E may be the most lopsided (on paper, anyway) of the 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League lot, with the defending champions, Liga MX powerhouse Club America, facing off against a team that has never emerged from the group stage in Honduras’ Motagua and a CCL newcomer in Nicaragua’s Walter Ferretti. America will likely make liberal use of squad depth in the group stage and should still advance with little trouble. For the two challengers, the objective will likely be to take points off the Mexican side any way they can.
SCHEDULE
Date/Time (ET) |
Home |
Away |
Venue |
August 5 | 10 PM |
Club America |
Motagua |
Estadio Azteca |
August 19 | 10 PM |
Club America |
Walter Ferretti |
Estadio Azteca |
August 27 | 10 PM |
Motagua |
Walter Ferretti |
Estadio Tiburcio Carias Andino |
September 16 | 10 PM |
Walter Ferretti |
Club America |
Estadio Nacional Dennis Martinez |
September 24 | 8 PM |
Walter Ferretti |
Motagua |
Estadio Nacional Dennis Martinez |
October 20 | 10 PM |
Motagua |
Club America |
Estadio Tiburcio Carias Andino |
STAR POWER
Darwin Quintero, América: The Colombian has vast experience in CCL, having scored in the deciding game to win last year's final in addition to several deep runs with previous club Santos Laguna. Quintero may not get minutes in every group stage game, as one of several star players, but América coach Ignacio Ambriz could opt to give him some time with the youngsters to ensure a positive result.
Wilmer Crisanto, Motagua: The Honduran international is coming off a Gold Cup that was disappointing for the national team, but he started in all three group stage games. The versatile defender is capable of pushing forward at times and even has experience scoring in the CCL with former club Victoria.
X-FACTOR
Recent history has shown that Mexican teams are vulnerable in CCL when they use squad players against supposedly overmatched opposition. Pressure will be on America to produce in multiple competitions, but it will be interesting to see how Ambriz, who was not around to win the last edition of the competition, handles CCL play in the context of major expectations. If he takes the competition lightly, it could open the door enough for one of the other teams, realistically Motagua, to make a real challenge for the group.
MLS/US CONNECTIONS
San Jose Earthquakes defender Victor Bernárdez played for Motagua from 2004-08 before heading abroad for his club career … Amado Guevara, who spent time with the MetroStars, New York Red Bulls, Chivas USA and Toronto FC, spent three separate stints with Motagua (1994-2000, 2007-08, 2010-13) and has had his number retired by the club … Former MLS All-Star Ivan Guerrero also had three stints with Motagua (1996-2000, 2002-04, 2009-11) … Former New England Revolution striker Jerry Bengtson played for Motagua (2011-12).
