The Concacaf Champions League is back, and with it, the first competitive fixtures for MLS clubs in 2020.
With five MLS clubs set to clash with some of the continent's best, here's a quick crash course on their opponents' form and key players:
Club Leon (vs. LAFC)
- 3rd in Mexico's Liga MX Clausura
- 2020: 4W-2L-0D
- Last match: 3-1 loss at Atletico San Luis
Thought of as the team that all MLS clubs hoped to avoid in the Round of 16, Club Leon have proved that hypothesis true with a blistering start to league play in 2020. The lone Liga MX or MLS side put in pot two, Leon's clash with LAFC is the matchup to watch this round.
Led by veteran attackers Luis Montes, Joel Campbell and Leonardo Ramos, Leon have won all three home league matches thus far with a combined goal difference of 9-1, including a 3-1 win over reigning CCL champs Monterrey.
Motagua (vs. Atlanta United)
- 1st in Honduras' Liga Nacional Clausura
- 2020: 6W-1L-1D
- Last match: 1-0 win vs. Real Espana
The Honduran club have failed to advance in their previous four CCL appearances, though will hope to cause chaos against Atlanta United and their busy offseason. Motagua are led by left back Emilio Izaguirre, who returned to the club after spending most of the past decade with Scotland giants Celtic. They also have a few Honduran internationals, including Félix Crisanto and Kevin López.
Saprissa (vs. Montreal Impact)
- 2nd in Costa Rica's Primera Division Clausura
- 2020: 6W-1L-2D
- Last match: 3-0 win at Jicaral
Second on goal difference only with a game in hand, Saprissa are off to a great start to Clausura play in Costa Rica's Primera Division. They fell at this stage in the CCL last season to giants Tigres UANL and return with a clash against the Impact. With former MLSers David Guzman, Roy Miller and Christian Bolanos, Impact fans will be sure to recognize more than a few names.
San Carlos (vs. NYCFC)
- 6th in Costa Rica's Primera Division Clausura
- 2020: 3W-4L-3D
- Last match: 3-3 draw at Herediano
Winless in their last six matches, San Carlos go into their clash with NYCFC not in the best run of form. Nevertheless, the Costa Rican side are led by last year's CCL breakout star Omar Browne as well as Jorman Aguilar and Greivin Mendez.
Olimpia (vs. Seattle Sounders)
- 3rd in Honduras' Liga Nacional Clausura
- 2020: 4W-2L-2D
- Last match: 3-1 win at Vida
Winners of the Apertura 2019 in Honduras, Olimpia return to CCL after last competing in 2018, when they lost to the New York Red Bulls in the Round of 16. With former Vancouver Whitecaps winger Michaell Chirinos unavailable due to injury, Olimpia still have the likes of Jose Cañete, Jose Mario Pinto, Jorge Benguche and former Sporting Kansas City defender Ever Alvarado.
