MLS teams have learned their fates for the 2020 Concacaf Champions League, with Monday night's draw throwing up a marquee MLS-Liga MX matchup in the round of 16, with the possibility of two more to follow in the quarterfinals.
LAFC, who ran away with the 2019 Supporters' Shield while setting a record for points in a season, were drawn in the only MLS vs. Liga MX matchup in the round of 16, against Club Leon. They would also likely face Liga MX opposition in the form of Cruz Azul should they advance.
Atlanta United have a mouthwatering potential quarterfinal tie, but first must navigate past Honduran outfit Motagua. Should they get through they could face Club América in the quarterfinals — a rematch of the 2019 Campeones Cup — provided the Liga MX giants win their round of 16 clash against Guatemala's Comunicaciones.
The defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders were also paired up with a team from Honduras, CD Olimpia, that has given MLS teams plenty of trouble in the past. That set up a potential all-MLS quarterfinal, should the Montreal Impact win a tough opening series against Costa Rican giants Saprissa.
New York City FC, making their CCL debut along with LAFC, will face Costa Rican outfit San Carlos in the opening round. If they can get past the side that won an unlikely national title in the 2019 Clausura, they'll face a Liga MX opponent, Tigres UANL.
2020 Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 matchups
Leg 1: Feb. 18-20; Leg 2: Feb. 25-27. First team listed hosts Leg 2.
- Atlanta United vs. Motagua (HON)
- Club América (MEX) vs. Comunicaciones (GUA)
- Cruz Azul (MEX) vs. Portmore United (JAM)
- LAFC (USA) vs. Club LeĂłn (MEX)
- Tigres UANL (MEX) vs. Alianza (SLV)
- NYCFC vs. San Carlos (CRC)
- Seattle Sounders vs. Olimpia (HON)
- Montreal Impact vs. Saprissa (CRC)
Quarterfinals
Leg 1: March 10-12; Leg 2: March 17-19. Winner of odd-numbered Round of 16 tie hosts Leg 2.
- Winner 1 vs. Winner 2
- Winner 3 vs. Winner 4
- Winner 5 vs. Winner 6
- Winner 7 vs. Winner 8
Semifinals
Leg 1: Apr. 7-9; Leg 2: Apr. 14-16. Hosting determined by performance in prior rounds.
- Winner 1/2 vs. Winner 3/4
- Winner 5/6 vs. Winner 7/8
Final
Leg 1: April 28-30; Leg 2: May 5-7. Hosting determined by performance in prior rounds.
- Winner SF1 vs. Winner SF2
Each round of the tournament will see a home-and-away series played between the two teams. The team with the most aggregate goals over the course of the two legs will advance to the next round (or win the tournament, in the case of the final). If aggregate scores are even in the round of 16, away goals will serve as the tiebreaker, otherwise the series will be decided on penalty kicks (no extratime). If aggregate scores are even in the final, away goals will not count — instead, two 15-minute periods of extratime will be played, followed by penalty kicks if the aggregate score is still tied.
