We know this much -- DC United won't be facing a Mexican club when the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals kick off next spring.
After United closed out a perfect CCL group stage with a 1-0 win over Tauro on Tuesday, that ensured that the MLS Eastern Conference leaders would be one of the top three seeds when the quarterfinal pairings are determined. But the only two Mexican clubs left standing cannot finish in the bottom three seeds, meaning they can't be drawn against DC (more info on quarterfinal pairings below).
Instead, DC are looking at quarterfinal match-ups with Costa Rican sides Alajuelense or Saprissa, Honduran club Olimpia (which eliminated Portland on Tuesday) or even the potential of an all-MLS match-up against Montreal or Sporting Kansas City depending on how the remaining groups finish this week.
Below are the seedings for the quarterfinal stage as they stand as of Wednesday morning, with three of the clubs still holding a game in hand. Only one quarterfinal berth is still up for grabs and that will be contested between MLS side Sporting Kansas City, who will battle it out with Saprissa on Thursday for the final spot (10 pm ET, Fox Soccer Plus). It's worth noting that goal differential is the first tiebreaker.
- 1. D.C. United - USA (12pts, +5 GD)
- 2. Club America - Mexico (10pts, +16 GD)
- 3. Herediano - Costa Rica (10pts, +8 GD)
- 4. Pachuca - Mexico (9pts, +10 GD); game in hand
- 5. Olimpia - Honduras (9pts, +7 GD)
- 6. Montreal Impact - Canada (9pts, +3 GD); game in hand
- 7. Sporting Kansas City - USA (7pts, +5 GD); game in hand
- 8. Alajuelense - Costa Rica (6pts, +1 GD); clinched No. 8 seed
The two quarterfinal legs are tentatively scheduled for Feb. 24-March 5, 2015. The No. 1 seed will play the No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5. The higher-seeded club hosts the second leg.
Pachuca can snag the No. 1 overall seed from DC United on Wednesday with a win vs. Real Espana due to their superior goal differential compared to DC. Also on Wednesday, the Montreal Impact can also clinch a top three seed and avoid a Mexican club in the quarterfinals if they can defeat the New York Red Bulls.
The 2014-'15 CCL quarterfinals are shaping up to be the most competitively balanced since the current tournament format was implemented for 2008-'09. In fact this is the first time that Mexico will only have two representatives in the quarters. Costa Rica could have a tournament-high three clubs if Saprissa eliminate Sporting Kansas City.
