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CONCACAF Champions League group-by-group preview: MLS, Liga MX sides favored again

Published Aug. 4, 2015 9:00 a.m. ET

Kyle McCarthy

MLS and Liga MX sides paid the price for dismissing the importance of the CONCACAF Champions League group stage a year ago.

The compressed nature of group play left little room for error, but it took too long for the expected favorites to grasp the lesson. They played their reserves too liberally and sloughed off their obligations too willingly. In the end, it cost them dearly as four Central American sides -- three from Costa Rica, one from Honduras -- reached the last eight.

Much of the potential peril for this edition dissipated with the draw. Costa Rica contributed just two teams after taking an extra place a year ago when Belmopan Bandits failed a stadium test. Both of those representatives landed in groups with Mexican opposition. The two Honduran sides face similarly rigorous assignments with Motagua placed in a group with defending champions Club América and Olimpia slotted into the Group of Death alongside Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps.

It isn’t advisable to expect everything to proceed according to plan, though. This tournament continues to deliver its fair share of surprises, even if Mexican clubs always lift the trophy in the end. It remains to be seen where those potential shocks lurk as group play commences this week.

Group A

Reigning Mexican champions Santos Laguna enter this tournament as one of the favorites after finishing second two years ago. Clever manager Pedro Caixinha boasts the tactical chops to guide his team deep into the tournament. Seasoned Champions League campaigner Javier Orozco (Golden Boot winner in 2008-09 and 2010-11 with Cruz Azul) offers a natural touchstone up front once he returns to full fitness. Saprissa loom as the most likely interlopers after the Costa Rica giants knocked out Sporting Kansas City during group play a year ago. There is quality going forward with Ticos forward David Ramirez (back from an ill-fated stint at Evian) and Ariel Rodriguez (five goals in group play a year ago) in tow. Trinidad and Tobago side W Connection is back for the fourth time to continue its quest for a first quarterfinal berth, but the Marabella-based outfit shipped seven goals in four matches during its last appearance in 2013-14.

Group B

There are obligations to finish out in South America first, but Copa Libertadores finalists Tigres UANL expect to march through this group nevertheless. The infusion of cash for that Libertadores run leaves Tigres with the strength in depth to rotate liberally during CCL group play without sacrificing too much quality. Expect the most recent run through the Champions League -- including a humbling quarterfinal exit to Seattle Sounders -- to offer some impetus. Herediano aims to upset that progression after reaching the semifinals during the last edition of this tournament. Look for the Costa Ricans to focus first and foremost on their shape (Panama midfielder Gabriel Gomez is a critical force in midfield) and then try to hit on the counter to mask a lack of sharpness up front. Salvadoran side Isidro Metapan looks likely to make up the numbers here despite considerable experience in the competition.

Group C

Querétaro manager Victor Manuel Vucetich won this competition three straight times during his wildly successful spell at Monterrey. Gallos Blancos do not boast the quality of those famous sides, but they do possess Camillo Sanvezzo and Emanuel Villa to provide the sharpness up front to complement a well-drilled shape. Consider them intriguing outsiders for the title and heavy favorites to emerge from perhaps the weakest group. San Francisco returns for the first time since the 2011-12 edition after winning the Apertura title in Panama last fall. This group does not look particularly likely secure a first quarterfinal berth given the tepid start to the domestic campaign (four points in three fixtures). CONCACAF officials gave Verdes the green light to claim Belize’s berth in the competition last month and stage matches at FFB Stadium in Belmopan. The club imported three Brazilian players and signed Belize forward Deon McCaulay to strengthen the squad during the summer, but it is difficult to imagine this group picking up a point.

Group D

MLS Cup holder LA Galaxy received the benefit of a kind draw to lay groundwork for a deep run. The big question for Bruce Arena during group play: How much will he lean on his squad depth to carry the load and save the big stars for domestic play? If everything comes together as expected and the club invests in the pursuit of a continental title, then the Galaxy should pose a realistic threat to march deep into the tournament. Guatemalan champions Comunicaciones pose the greatest threat to the Galaxy’s place in the quarterfinals. Panama forward Rolando Blackburn leads the line with his pace over the top, while Guatemala defender Walter Lalin features prominently in a seasoned defense. The recent track record in this competition isn’t good, though. Central FC debuts after winning the CFU Club Championship in May. This group is battle-tested ahead of its bow: A fine 3-1 win at Alpha United in Guyana claimed a place in the last four, while a penalty shootout triumph over Don Bosco (Haiti) in the semis paved the way for the eventual victory. Central -- owned by former T&T international Brent Sancho -- boasts three players from T&T’s run to the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals: goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams plus forwards Atuallah Guerra (second in scoring during the last T&T Pro League campaign) and Willis Plaza.

Group E

The big question for defending champions Club América as this competition opens: How will this team look by the start of the quarterfinals next year? Recently appointed manager Nacho Ambriz is already under pressure after a poor start to the season, while the best squad in North America is currently performing well below standards. Those domestic issues likely won’t matter much here, though Las Aguilas must take a wary approach against Honduran giants Motagua. Five players from the 2014 Apertura champions featured in the Hondurans’ group-stage flameout at the Gold Cup last month. They will need to gear up quickly to cope with the initial fixture at Estadio Azteca. Nicaraguan champions Walter Ferretti round out the group. This is not a particularly inviting place for a debuting side to ease into the competition, though. Expect the solid defense -- including four Nicaragua regulars -- to receive a stern examination.

Group F

Margins are particularly tight in the Group of Death with Olimpia, Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps all harboring realistic ambitions of reaching the last eight. The opening match between Vancouver and Seattle (live, Wednesday, 10:00p.m. ET, FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports GO) presents an important opportunity for both teams. MLS sides usually prefer to rotate in this competition, but the pressure of a Cascadia derby might prompt both coaches to retain more regulars here. Olimpia knows these sorts of fixtures well enough after dispatching Portland Timbers during the group stage last year. If the two MLS sides stumble (and the Whitecaps must adjust on their first appearance in the competition), then the Hondurans are poised to take advantage.

Group G

Real Salt Lake returns to this competition for the first time in a couple of years after finishing fourth in the Supporters’ Shield race a year ago. This side isn’t comparable to the vintage group that lost the final to Monterrey in 2010-11, but it does boast the right blend of incisiveness (Joao Plata, in particular) and resolve to navigate through a straightforward group. The opening match against Municipal in Guatemala on Tuesday (10:00p.m. ET, FOX Soccer Plus, FOX Soccer 2Go) offers an immediate chance to chart the course of the group. Carlos Ruiz gives Municipal a canny forward to lead the line, but the Guatemalan side must keep its lines tight in order to navigate through the group. Santa Tecla is in the Champions League group stage for the first time after winning the Clausura in El Salvador. Former Chivas USA midfielder Gerson Mayen and former Cal F.C. goalkeeper Derby Carrillo offer some knowledge of the American opposition, but there are concerns about the ability of this side to withstand a thorough test away from home.

Group H

D.C. United romped through the group stage in the last edition of this competition despite a rather liberal selection policy. Ben Olsen and his players expect a similar level of professionalism against a similar standard of opponent. The parallels extend all the way through the remainder of the group as a Jamaican outfit and a Panamanian side complete the group for a second straight year. Arabe Unido hopes to improve upon Tauro’s dismal showing a year ago. The reigning Panamanian champions boast promising forward Abdiel Arroyo as a potential danger man going forward. Montego Bay United completes the list of debutants after finishing third in the CFU Club Championship. Their perch in the last Jamaican campaign -- 16 points behind eventual winners Arnett Gardens during the regular season -- does not bode particularly well ahead of the challenges here.