Home Champions League Openers for 3 MLS Sides

By: Ian Rose | July 22nd, 2010

Let’s be honest – CONCACAF is not UEFA. It’s just not, and not only for the longer, much clunkier acronym. It’s a confederation with two current powers (USA and Mexico) and a bunch of smaller opponents who have struggled to compete in recent years at both the international and club levels. CONCACAF’s continental tournaments especially have had a real problem getting the attention that a competition at that level deserves. Even fans of the clubs involved in the CONCACAF Champions League tend to overlook it, focusing more on the domestic leagues, and on the tournament’s big European cousin. And that’s a shame. For football to continue to progress in North America, the continental club tournament has to catch on.

Side note – Just look at that trophy. If competitions were judged purely on whose trophy was biggest and scariest looking, this would be the greatest prize in sport. It looks like the hood ornament from the devil’s Oldsmobile.

We’re coming up on a big week for North American clubs, especially the three Major League Soccer clubs that kick off their Champions League campaigns in the next week. Here are the first-leg fixtures, all at home. If you live in or near any one of these cities, head over to the stadium and take advantage of the chance to see meaningful international matches on home soil.

Toronto FC vs. CD Montagua, 27 July 2010 @ BMO Field
Toronto vs. Montagua Tickets | Toronto FC Jerseys | Toronto FC Blog

LA Galaxy vs. Puerto Rico Islanders, 27 July 2010 @ Home Depot Center
Galaxy vs. Islanders Tickets | LA Galaxy Jerseys | LA Galaxy Blog

Seattle Sounders vs. Isidro Metapán, 28 July 2010 @ Qwest Field
Sounders vs. Metapan Tickets | Sounders Jerseys | Sounders Blog