CONCACAF RELEASES CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SCHEDULE

[royalian]

CONCACAF RELEASES CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SCHEDULE

NEW YORK (Wednesday, June 9, 2010) – Canadian champion Toronto FC will open the CONCACAF Champions League against Motagua of Honduras on July 27, while two-time runner-up Cruz Azul will embark on a third attempt to win the title later the same day against San Francisco FC in Panama.

The Preliminary Round schedule announced Tuesday also includes opening-day clashes with Trinidad's San Juan Jabloteh facing Santos Laguna of Mexico on July 27 in the first leg of their series and the MLS Cup runner-up Los Angeles Galaxy facing the Puerto Rico Islanders.

Tauro FC of Panama will host Marathon of Honduras as 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28, with Brujas of Costa Rica to follow against Joe Public of Trinidad and the U.S. Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders hosting Metapan of El Salvador later.

The first leg will conclude Thursday, July 29, with CD FAS of El Salvador hosting Guatemala's Xelaju.

The second leg of each series will be held the following week with Cruz Azul-San Francisco, Motagua-Toronto and Metapan-Seattle on Tuesday, August 3; Puerto Rico-Los Angeles, Santos-Jabloteh and Marathon Tauro on Wednesday, August 4; and Joe Public-Brujas and Xelaju-FAS completing the Preliminary Round on Thursday, August 5.

The winners on aggregate all will advance to the Group Stage, which will commence August 17-19.

The top two teams in each group will qualify for the knockout quarterfinals, set for February and March of 2011.

Preliminary Round Schedule
(All Times U.S. Eastern; home teams listed first)
First Leg
Tuesday, July 27
Toronto FC (CAN) vs. Montagua (HON), 8 p.m.
San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) vs. Santos Laguna (MEX), 8 p.m.
Los Angeles Galaxy (USA) vs. Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR), 10 p.m.
San Francisco FC (PAN) vs. Cruz Azul (MEX), 10 p.m.

Wednesday, July 28
Tauro FC (PAN) vs. Marathon (HON), 8 p.m.
Brujas (CRC) vs. Joe Public (TRI), 10 p.m.
Seattle Sounders (USA) vs. Metapan (SLV), 10 p.m.

Thursday, July 29
CD FAS (SLV) vs. Xejaju (GUA), 10 p.m.

Second Leg
Tuesday, August 3
Cruz Azul (MEX) vs. San Francisco (PAN), 8 p.m.
Motagua (HON) vs. FC Toronto (CAN), 8 p.m.
Metapan (SLV) vs. Seattle (USA), 10 p.m.

Wednesday, August 4
Puerto Rico (PUR) vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (USA), 8 p.m.
Santos Laguna (MEX) vs. San Juan Jabloteh (TRI), 10 p.m.
Marathon (HON) vs. Tauro (PAN), 10 p.m.

Thursday, August 5
Joe Public (TRI) vs. Brujas (CRC), 8 p.m.
Xelaju (GUA) vs. FAS (SLV), 10 p.m.

[Andre]

santos is a good side. i doh see jabs getting pass them.

i never hear bout brujas (which mean "witches" in spanish) before. maybe public could advance.

galaxy vs. puerto rico = birchie vs. nuff trini.

[andre samuel]

I find its interesting that none of the Caribbean teams got a direct path into the group stage.  I would have expected at least the champions (Puerto Rico) to get a direct path. 

Imagine that the first place team in the Caribbean  has an arguably tougher match up than the 2nd place team (Joe "jack warner" Public)

[Deeks]

JAck Warner is certainly good for TT football!!!!!!!!

[AB.Trini]

San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) vs. Santos Laguna (MEX), 8 p.m. July 27TH

Brujas (CRC) vs. Joe Public (TRI), 10 p.m. July 28th

Where is the venue for these games/ I will be in TNT during these dates; looking to take in  some games.