With the CONCACAF Champions’ League group draw taking place on Monday, from Miami at 8pm (ET), here’s what you need to know about the Impact’s potential opponents.
Pot A
The Impact is guaranteed to play one of the following four teams from Pot A as each group must contain a team from either the United States or Mexico, meaning U.S. and Mexican teams cannot play each other in the Group Stage. Two of the potential opponents from Pot A could be the San Jose Earthquakes or LA Galaxy, two opponents that the Impact knows well.
The other two are from Mexico:
Tijuana
Qualified as 2012 Apertura champions in Mexico’s Liga MX, tied with Toluca for the top seed with 34 points, but finishing the campaign with more wins. On its roster, Tijuana has American international midfielder Joe Corona and fellow countryman Edgar Castillo amongst its ranks.
Club América
Took the Primera Division’s 2013 Clausura (winter season) and counts on its offence from Ecuadorian international Christian Benitez.
Pot C
Sporting San Miguelito
Panama’s 2013 Clausura Champions will be making its first appearance in this tournament and is made up entirely of Panamanian players.
C.D. Luis Ángel Firpo
El Salvador’s 2013 Clausura Champions, Firpo will be making its third appearance in this tournament.
Real Estelí
Nicaraguan champions with a better aggregate record in 2012-2013, Real Esteli and the Impact met in the a home and away series in the club’s first Champions League run in 2008-2009, with Montreal holding the advantage in the two-game series with a win and a draw on its way to the groupe stage.
Cartaginés
One of the oldest clubs in the tournament, Cartaginés were the runners-up in Costa Rica’s 2013 Verano campaign with a roster made up of entirely Costa Rican players and the team will be making its first appearance in the group stage of this tournament.
W Connection FC
From Trinidad and Tobago, W Connection finished the 2013 campaign as the Caribbean Football Union’s Club Championship group 1 winners and is made up of a number of national team members.
Valencia
From Haiti, Valencia finished as the CFU; Championship group 2 winners after finishing as Haitian league champions in 2012.
Caledonia AIA
A second team from T&T, Caledonia was the 2013 CFU Club Championship Playoff round winner after finishing second in the TT Pro League play.
