Eight teams, four ties and three advantages going into the second leg. Who will go through to the semis?
Three of the four ties have clear advantages going into the second legs. Does that mean it's all said and done? "Of course we can do it. It's only a difference of two goals," Ivan Estrada told reporters in regards to his match against Cruz Azul.
Emotions are running high as eight teams vie for four spots in the semifinals and a chance to go on and represent CONCACAF in the FIFA World Club Cup Championship in December. It will be a Mexico vs. final, as the winner of the Central American tie (Saprissa vs. Olimpia) will face the winner of the American tie (RSL vs. Columbus), meaning yet another shot for the Mexican league to continue its dominance of the competition. Who's going through? Follow all the action on LSTV!
Santos host Cruz Azul on the ropes after losing 2-0 at the Estadio Azul last weekend in the first leg of this all-Mexican tie. It hasn't been a rosy beginning for Santos manager Diego Cocca, who has lost both of his matches at the helm of the green and whites. It's safe to say the honeymoon was quite short and is now over.
The team hailing from the lagoon must overcome that two-goal deficit and of course not allow a single goal, as the visitor goal rule is in effect for these quarterfinals.
Javier Orozco, the top scorer in the history of the CCL will be in action for Cruz Azul once again, fresh off his goal last week back home in Mexico City.
No injuries or suspensions affect the match. Despite the disadvantage, Santos players are confident: "Of course we can do it. It's only a difference of two goals," barked Ivan Estrada back at reporters. The win would be the first for Cocca - a huge one at that.
The only pairing with no upper hand declared after the first leg, Real Salt Lake will host Columbus Crew at the Rio Tinto with home-field advantage being what they hope is the trump card that will put them into the semis.
Thanks to the multiple sending offs in the rough first match, Tony Beltran, Emilio Renteria and Nat Borchers will be unavailable due to seeing red at Columbus last week.
Alvaro Saborio and Andres Mendoza will look to have better luck than their performances last week, which saw both err relatively easy opportunities for strikers of their stature. The Costa Rican and Peruvian forwards have been vital for their teams in getting to the quarterfinals and hopefully beyond.
The second all-Mexican tie has Monterrey ahead after stealing an away victory from Toluca at the Nemesio Diez, leaving the Diablos with a bit of work to do, as the Rayados are notoriously difficult to beat at home.
Both teams come off tough losses this weekend in the Mexican league, Rayados going down 1-0 to Atlas and Toluca losing a spectacular 4-3 belter at the Estadio Azteca to América.
After taking that punch in their own yard from Monterrey, Toluca are looking to return the favor, and Ecuadorian attacker Jaime Ayoví has said that he will score his first ever CCL goal for Toluca at the Estadio Tecnológico.
Humberto Suazo will again be absent for the Rayados, as the Chilean striker is out due to injury.
Olimpia will take Saprissa on at home with a one goal disadvantage stemming from Armando Alonso's strike at the Ricardo Saprissa stadium. Alonso has been especially dangerous throughout the competition, with four goals in the tournament.
Olimpia were lucky to escape with just a one goal disadvantage, as they went down to ten men after only ten minutes, when Bonieck Garcia saw red after a strong foul.
The winner of this tie willl face either Columbus or Real Salt Lake, in what will set up a Mexico vs. final, as the Mexican league is assured one representative in the finals.
El Salvador's top referee, Joel Aguilar, will impart justice in the match held in one of Honduras' most imposing stadiums.
Emotions are running high as eight teams vie for four spots in the semifinals and a chance to go on and represent CONCACAF in the FIFA World Club Cup Championship in December. It will be a Mexico vs. final, as the winner of the Central American tie (Saprissa vs. Olimpia) will face the winner of the American tie (RSL vs. Columbus), meaning yet another shot for the Mexican league to continue its dominance of the competition. Who's going through? Follow all the action on LSTV!
Santos host Cruz Azul on the ropes after losing 2-0 at the Estadio Azul last weekend in the first leg of this all-Mexican tie. It hasn't been a rosy beginning for Santos manager Diego Cocca, who has lost both of his matches at the helm of the green and whites. It's safe to say the honeymoon was quite short and is now over.
The team hailing from the lagoon must overcome that two-goal deficit and of course not allow a single goal, as the visitor goal rule is in effect for these quarterfinals.
Javier Orozco, the top scorer in the history of the CCL will be in action for Cruz Azul once again, fresh off his goal last week back home in Mexico City.
No injuries or suspensions affect the match. Despite the disadvantage, Santos players are confident: "Of course we can do it. It's only a difference of two goals," barked Ivan Estrada back at reporters. The win would be the first for Cocca - a huge one at that.
The only pairing with no upper hand declared after the first leg, Real Salt Lake will host Columbus Crew at the Rio Tinto with home-field advantage being what they hope is the trump card that will put them into the semis.
Thanks to the multiple sending offs in the rough first match, Tony Beltran, Emilio Renteria and Nat Borchers will be unavailable due to seeing red at Columbus last week.
Alvaro Saborio and Andres Mendoza will look to have better luck than their performances last week, which saw both err relatively easy opportunities for strikers of their stature. The Costa Rican and Peruvian forwards have been vital for their teams in getting to the quarterfinals and hopefully beyond.
The second all-Mexican tie has Monterrey ahead after stealing an away victory from Toluca at the Nemesio Diez, leaving the Diablos with a bit of work to do, as the Rayados are notoriously difficult to beat at home.
Both teams come off tough losses this weekend in the Mexican league, Rayados going down 1-0 to Atlas and Toluca losing a spectacular 4-3 belter at the Estadio Azteca to América.
After taking that punch in their own yard from Monterrey, Toluca are looking to return the favor, and Ecuadorian attacker Jaime Ayoví has said that he will score his first ever CCL goal for Toluca at the Estadio Tecnológico.
Humberto Suazo will again be absent for the Rayados, as the Chilean striker is out due to injury.
Olimpia will take Saprissa on at home with a one goal disadvantage stemming from Armando Alonso's strike at the Ricardo Saprissa stadium. Alonso has been especially dangerous throughout the competition, with four goals in the tournament.
Olimpia were lucky to escape with just a one goal disadvantage, as they went down to ten men after only ten minutes, when Bonieck Garcia saw red after a strong foul.
The winner of this tie willl face either Columbus or Real Salt Lake, in what will set up a Mexico vs. final, as the Mexican league is assured one representative in the finals.
El Salvador's top referee, Joel Aguilar, will impart justice in the match held in one of Honduras' most imposing stadiums.
