One spherical down, 4 to go!
Other than St. Louis CITY SC falling to the Houston Dynamo, each MLS workforce superior from their Spherical of 32 ties, principally in convincing trend. In consequence, half of the sixteen groups remaining within the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup (CCC) are from the USA. Theoretically, that ought to give MLS a 50% likelihood of discovering their second-ever champion of this continental competitors, however the opposition is stiff.
Liga MX nonetheless boasts 5 contributors, together with their three main powerhouses of Membership América, Tigres UNAL, and C.F. Monterrey. Regardless of final 12 months’s champion, Membership León, failing to qualify for the match in 2024, Liga MX can be anticipating to keep up their superiority on this match.
Highlighted by just a few of those mouthwatering MLS vs. Liga MX clashes, this 12 months’s CCC Spherical of 16 may function the very best slate of matchups we’ve ever seen. As all the time, SBI has you lined with a preview of each tie involving an MLS workforce:
Philadelphia Union vs. Pachuca
The Philadelphia Union have been the one MLS workforce to be given a real scare by a international opponent within the Spherical of 32 as they required further time to search out the successful aim towards Deportivo Saprissa regardless of being right down to 10 males. Nonetheless, the Union squeaked by way of right into a Spherical of 16 date with Pachuca.
Though not thought of an enormous of Liga MX as some others we’ll focus on, Pachuca has gained CCL 5 instances and was the one Mexican aspect to obtain a bye within the Spherical of 32 as champions of the 2022-23 Liga MX Apertura. They give the impression of being simply pretty much as good right here in 2024 for the time being. At the moment sitting stage atop the Liga MX Clausura desk on 22 factors by way of 10 matches with wins over Cruz Azul and Membership América, Pachuca has firepower. Former Premier League striker Solomon Rondon will lead the road for Los Tuzos supported by Oussama Idrissi who has been wonderful since coming over from Europe. Regardless of enjoying in a double pivot Erick Sánchez can even look to contribute to the assault.
The Union can be getting a defensive increase as the one three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the 12 months, Andre Blake, is predicted to return from damage within the first leg on Tuesday. Sadly, there may be doubt across the availability of striker Julian Carranza who scored 4 objectives within the Spherical of 32 towards Saprissa, together with a first-leg hat trick. His health can be essential to Philadelphia’s probabilities of advancing. In any case, they wanted all 4 of his objectives to get previous Saprissa.
Orlando Metropolis vs. Tigres
Déjà vu. The rematch is right here.
Within the then-Concacaf Champions League Spherical of 16 final season, these two sides battled out a defensive warfare leading to a 1-1 mixture rating after two legs which noticed Tigres advance on the away objectives tiebreaker. This season, assembly on the similar stage of the identical competitors, Orlando will host the primary leg of this intriguing tie. Although the info might not again it up, typical knowledge says this is a bonus for the Floridians. You possibly can determine for your self.
Regardless, Orlando Metropolis can be in search of revenge towards their Liga MX opponents.
Neither aspect enters the tie in significantly good type, having every misplaced their most up-to-date match – a derby day demolition for Orlando and the second loss in 5 for Tigres. Nevertheless, each groups even have harmful gamers whose names soar off the workforce sheet.
Legends André-Pierre Gignac main the spear and Nahuel Guzmán between the sticks guarantee Tigres are all the time a formidable power regardless of both’s age. Orlando Metropolis will counter Tigres’ attacking expertise with youth within the likes of Facundo Torres, Martin Ojeda, and Duncan McGuire however newly-acquired striker Luis Muriel will present the wanted expertise as nicely.
New England Revolution vs. LD Alajuelense
After dispatching with Panama’s solely CCC participant within the Spherical of 32, the New England Revolution are set for a gathering with Costa Rica’s greatest.
One other first-round bye recipient as winners of the Central American Cup, Alajuelense has been knocked out of the CCL at this stage of the competitors by an MLS workforce in two of the final three seasons. In 2021-22, Atlanta United ousted the Costa Ricans by a 2-0 mixture rating.
After failing to qualify in 2022-23, Alajuelense fell to eventual finalists LAFC final 12 months by a 4-2 mixture rating regardless of capturing a 2-1 second-leg win in Los Angeles. The Revolution can be hoping so as to add one other tally to this dreaded Alajuelense listing.
Houston Dynamo vs Columbus Crew
The reigning U.S. Open Cup champion towards the reigning MLS Cup champion. Boy, do we’ve got a battle on our palms right here!
Houston narrowly snuck by St. Louis CITY SC within the Spherical of 32 by successful 1-0 at residence within the second leg to advance on the away objectives tiebreaker. The Crew, alternatively, had a bye. As a consequence, the Texans have performed twice as many video games as Columbus this season, accruing as many losses because the Crew have performed video games. Having minutes of their legs may find yourself serving as a bonus for the Dynamo, or the coin may flip, with freshness proving helpful to the Crew.
Both method, Houston stays at a serious drawback with their captain Hector Herrera sidelined resulting from damage. With each groups keen to own the ball, Herrera’s absence could possibly be the distinction between having management or dropping it. To make issues worse, Crew’s star striker Cucho Hernández has two objectives in two video games to begin the MLS season.
Houston was in a position to overcome damage hurdles to search out victory over St. Louis however could have a a lot tougher problem doing so towards the defending MLS Cup champions who’re seemingly nonetheless firing on all cylinders in 2024.
FC Cincinnati vs C.F. Monterrey
It ought to be troublesome to select a headlining matchup from such a stacked slate of video games within the CCC Spherical of 32, however in truth, it isn’t. That is it.
FC Cincinnati was undoubtedly the very best workforce in MLS final season, cruising to their first Supporters’ Defend regardless of enjoying within the extra aggressive Jap Convention. Conversely, Monterrey has gained CCL 5 instances and is at the moment thought of the very best squad within the area by most. In keeping with Transfermarkt, Rayados has essentially the most invaluable squad in North America (€95.08m), narrowly beating out the likes of Membership América (€92.9m) and Inter Miami (€90.83m) and over double that of FC Cincinnati (€45.3m).
As if that wasn’t sufficient pleasure, FC Cincinnati’s all-time main scorer Brandon Vazquez will return to face his former workforce for the primary time since transferring to Monterrey lower than two months in the past.
In 127 profession appearances for Cincy, Vazquez netted 43 objectives and 17 assists earlier than being bought for a reported club-record price within the area of $7.5m + $1m add-ons. He hasn’t slowed down in Monterrey both, scoring 5 objectives in his eight matches for Rayados up to now. The USMNT striker will hope so as to add to that tally along with his first aim at TQL Stadium in Rayados blue so as to add to the laundry listing he has scored in Cincinnati orange and blue.
Nashville SC vs Inter Miami CF
The 2023 League Cup Closing was one of the crucial thrilling matches of the 12 months final season with Lionel Messi lifting the trophy alongside DeAndre Yedlin following 20 complete makes an attempt within the penalty shootout that noticed Drake Callender grow to be a hero. We’re fortunate to be getting a rematch right here within the CCC Spherical of 16.
Yedlin, notably, can be collaborating in a distinct marquee CCC matchup after just lately being traded to FC Cincinnati.
Miami although, after all, solely traded Yedlin to make room for different additions that enhance their squad. To assist the additions of Luis Suárez, Julian Gressel, and Nicolas Freire this winter, the Floridians just lately outlayed a reported $8m on 21-year-old Argentinian midfielder Federico Redondo. Regardless of already being essentially the most proficient squad in MLS by a rustic mile, they simply proceed to enhance. With confidence at an all-time excessive, Miami will enter this tie following a 5-0 drubbing of their greatest rivals on the weekend.
Equally to Houston, Nashville is developing towards an Jap Convention powerhouse on the absolute worst time. The Coyotes simply tossed apart Moca FC 7-0 on mixture in spherical one however crucially noticed their two greatest stars endure accidents. 2022 MLS MVP Hany Mukhtar and fellow designated participant (DP) Sam Surridge left the primary leg match early and haven’t performed a minute since. Followers can be hoping to see the return of their stars towards Miami as a result of in the event that they don’t, Nashville could have the hardest problem of all. Which may be the case anyway.