Concacaf Champions League draw cheat sheet on MLS clubs' potential opponents

Luis Montes- Leon vs LAFC - CCL

The 2021 Concacaf Champions League draw is set for Wednesday, meaning this year's MLS participants will soon find out their opponents as they chase continental silverware.


Atlanta United, Columbus Crew SC, the Portland Timbers and the Philadelphia Union are all guaranteed as league representatives for this year's tournament. Toronto FC could also advance if they beat Forge FC in the Canadian Championship final.


Ahead of the draw, here's a cheat sheet for Pot 2 teams that can be drawn against MLS clubs. Full information on the time and procedures of the draw can be found here.


Deportivo Saprissa


How they qualified: Concacaf League semifinalist


CCL appearances and best result: 9 appearances; 17W-16L-11D record; CCL semifinalists in 2011


2020-21 league position: 5th in Costa Rica's Liga FPD Clausura


Recent form: 2W-2L-1D in last five matches


You may know: Christian Bolanos (former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder), Kendall Waston (former Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Cincinnati captain and center back), David Guzman (former Portland Timbers, Columbus Crew SC midfielder)




LD Alajuelense


How they qualified: Concacaf League semifinalist


CCL appearances and best result: 5 appearances; 13W-9L-6D record; CCL semifinalists in 2014, 2015


2020-21 league position: 1st in Costa Rica's Liga FPD Clausura


Recent form: 3W-0L-2D in last five matches


You may know: Johan Venegas (former CF Montreal, Minnesota United forward), Bryan Ruiz (Costa Rica national team forward)




Club Atletico Pantoja


How they qualified: Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club best-ranked team


CCL appearances and best result: 1 appearance; 0W-2L-0D record; Round of 16 in 2019


2020-21 league position: 4th in Dominican Republic's Liga Dominicana de Fútbol


Recent form: 1W-0D-4L in last five matches


You may know: Luis Espinal (Dominican Republic national team forward)




Arcahaie FC


How they qualified: Concacaf League semifinalist


CCL appearances and best result: CCL debut


2020-21 league position: 1st in Haiti's Ligue Haïtienne


Recent form: 3W-1D-1L in last five matches


You may know: N/A




CD Marathon 


How they qualified: Concacaf League play-in winner


CCL appearances and best result: 5 appearances; 14W-15L-3D; Quarterfinalist in 2009


2020-21 league position: Lost Apertura final of Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional de Honduras after topping Group B 


Recent form: 2W-3L-0D in last five matches


You may know: Carlo Costly (longtime Honduras national team striker)




CD Olimpia


How they qualified: Concacaf League semifinalist


CCL appearances and best result: 11 appearances; 19W-17L-11D; Semifinalist in 2020


2020-21 league position: Won Apertura final of Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional de Honduras after topping Group A


Recent form: 3W-1L-1D in last five matches


You may know: Ever Alvarado (former Sporting Kansas City defender), Johnny Leveron (former Vancouver Whitecaps defender), Jerry Bengston (former New England Revolution forward), Cristian Maidana (former Philadelphia Union, Houston Dynamo midfielder)




Club Leon


How they qualified: 2020 Liga MX Clausura regular season second place


CCL appearances and best result: 2 appearances; 3W-2L-1D; 2014 group stage, 2020 Round of 16


2020-21 league position: 15th in Liga MX Clausura; 1st in Liga MX Apertura


Recent form: 2W-2L-1D in last five matches


You may know: Joel Campbell (Costa Rica national team forward), Luis Montes (Mexico national team midfielder), Angel Mena (Ecuador national team winger)




Real Esteli FC


How they qualified: Concacaf League play-in winner


CCL appearances and best result: 6 appearances; 0W-13L-7D; Group stage 


2020-21 league position: 2nd in Liga Primera de Nicaragua's Clausura


Recent form: 4W-1L-0D in last five matches


You may know: Defenders Juan Barrera and Josue Quijano, forwards Manuel Rosas and Carlos Chavarria (all Nicaragua national team)