The final is coming up in about 40 minutes, so I better hurry... So after a Champions League final last year between the top Mexican side and the most competitive MLS representative CONCACAF had ever seen, and a Champions League season in which Mexican sides lost home matches for the first time, the final reverts back to a familiar type.

Toronto FC were 45 minutes away from making history, 45 minutes from not only shocking CONCACAF but from taking a giant step forward that would benefit all of MLS.
Then the bottom fell out.
Santos Laguna scored four second-half goals to down the Canadians by 6-2 on Tuesday and won their CCL semifinal series by an aggregate score of 7-3.

Toronto FC faces a monstrous challenge today. If Toronto FC is to become the first Canadian club and second MLS side to reach the CONCACAF Champions League final, the task will be monumental.
Beat Santos at Santos.
Well, I take that back. They technically don't have to win. They can tie 2-2 or 3-3 or etc.

Toronto FC were strong against Santos Laguna in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League semifinal match, escaping with a respectable 1-1 draw.
Toronto FC were a bit unlucky not to get the second goal and take a victory down to Mexico. Santos went down to 10 men for the final quarter hour but Toronto FC were unable to take advantage.

Toronto FC and Santos Laguna. The two don't belong on the same field let alone in the same competition, right?
After all, Santos Laguna have won Mexican titles before - los Guerreros were the first Mexican team to win a short-season title, capturing the Invierno 96 crown. They may not be one of Mexico's Big Four but they are a well-respected team within their league and one of the few Mexican teams to have built their own stadium recently, a testament to the passionate support the club enjoys in Torreon.

Throughout Toronto FC's CONCACAF Champions League series with the LA Galaxy, I was most impressed with two playres - Ryan Johnson and Torsten Frings. Johnson needs no explanation - his goals were clutch and well-taken. He nearly scored the dagger with a rocket from outside the box late in the second leg but still had a tremendous series overall.

We're not daydreaming here at all. Well, maybe a little but we're looking ahead at the potential Galaxy-Santos matchup and, well, we like what we see.
That's not to say a Galaxy/Toronto-Seattle series wouldn't be grand. It would mean a lot to MLS to have another Champions League finalist, but the possible series between the Galaxy and Santos Laguna is brimming with storylines, possibly the grandest storylines of any potential matchup anywhere down the road in this tournament.

[This post will get bumped to the top on CCL matchdays.] Below are collated results for the knockout stage of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League. Ties are two-leg series, aggregate goals, away goals rule in effect unless the tie goes to extra time in the second leg. Winners of each round are highlighted in bold red lettering.

Major League Soccer will be guaranteed at least one team in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals, but from which country will it be? Today's CONCACAF Champions League knockout round draw set up two inter-league ties: the all-MLS one and the all-Mexican League series between Morelia and Monterrey.

Below are the updated table and collated results for Group A of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. Teams are ranked by points, then head-to-head points, head-to-head away goals, then overall matches (goal difference, goals scored, away goals). Home teams are listed first. P W D L GF GA GD Pts Morelia 6 4 0 2 11 5 +6 12 LA Galaxy 6 4 0 2 8 4 +4 12 Alajuelense 6 4 0 2 8 6 +2 12 Motagua 6 0 0 6 2 14 -12 0 Results: 2011-08-16: LA Galaxy 2-0 Motagua 2011-08-16: Alajuelense 1-0 Morelia 2011-08-25:.

Below are the updated table and collated results for Group B of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. Teams are ranked by points, then head-to-head points, head-to-head away goals, then overall matches (goal difference, goals scored, away goals). Home teams are listed first. P W D L GF GA GD Pts Santos Laguna 6 4 1 1 16 6 +10 13 Isidro Metapán 6 3 0 3 10 14 -4 9 Colorado Rapids 6 2 1 3 9 12 -3 7 Real España 6 1 2 3 8 11 -3 5 Results: 2011-08-16: Santos Laguna 3-2 Real España 2011-08-17:.

Below are the updated table and collated results for Group C of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. Teams are ranked by points, then head-to-head points, head-to-head away goals, then overall matches (goal difference, goals scored, away goals). Home teams are listed first. P W D L GF GA GD Pts UNAM 6 3 2 1 8 2 +6 11 Toronto FC 6 3 1 2 7 7 +0 10 FC Dallas 6 2 1 3 6 11 -5 7 Tauro 6 1 2 3 7 8 -1 5 Results: 2011-08-17: UNAM 0-1 FC Dallas 2011-08-18: Tauro 1-2 Toronto.

Below are the updated table and collated results for Group D of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. Teams are ranked by points, then head-to-head points, head-to-head away goals, then overall matches (goal difference, goals scored, away goals). Home teams are listed first. P W D L GF GA GD Pts Monterrey 6 4 0 2 11 4 +7 12 Seattle Sounders 6 3 1 2 10 7 +3 10 Comunicaciones 6 2 1 3 8 13 -5 7 Herediano 6 2 0 4 6 11 -5 6 Results: 2011-08-16: Seattle Sounders 4-1 Comunicaciones 2011-08-17: Herediano 0-5 Monterrey 2011-08-23:.

If I were to come up with a theme for last week's Champions League action, it would be "The Empire Strikes Back." Three of the four Mexican league representatives scored vital wins, two of them in routs, that propelled them to the top two of their respective groups. The lone exception is holders Monterrey, who lost 1-0 to Comunicaciones and saw their odds for advancing to the knockout stage lengthen substantially.

Below are the updated table and collated results for Group D of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. Teams are ranked by points, then head-to-head points, head-to-head away goals, then overall matches (goal difference, goals scored, away goals). Home teams are listed first. P W D L GF GA GD Pts Seattle Sounders 4 3 0 1 7 3 +4 9 Comunicaciones 4 2 0 2 5 7 -2 6 Monterrey 4 2 0 2 8 3 +5 6 Herediano 4 1 0 3 2 9 -7 3 Results: 2011-08-16: Seattle Sounders 4-1 Comunicaciones 2011-08-17: Herediano 0-5 Monterrey 2011-08-23:.

Below are the updated table and collated results for Group C of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. Teams are ranked by points, then head-to-head points, head-to-head away goals, then overall matches (goal difference, goals scored, away goals). Home teams are listed first. P W D L GF GA GD Pts UNAM 4 2 1 1 6 1 +5 7 FC Dallas 4 2 1 1 3 3 +0 7 Toronto FC 4 2 0 2 3 6 -3 6 Tauro 4 0 2 2 2 4 -2 2 Results: 2011-08-17: UNAM 0-1 FC Dallas 2011-08-18: Tauro 1-2 Toronto.

Below are the updated table and collated results for Group B of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. Teams are ranked by points, then head-to-head points, head-to-head away goals, then overall matches (goal difference, goals scored, away goals). Home teams are listed first. P W D L GF GA GD Pts Santos Laguna 4 3 0 1 13 5 +8 9 Isidro Metapán 4 2 0 2 6 10 -4 6 Real España 4 1 1 2 6 7 -1 4 Colorado Rapids 4 1 1 2 6 9 -3 4 Results: 2011-08-16: Santos Laguna 3-2 Real España 2011-08-17:.

Below are the updated table and collated results for Group A of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. Teams are ranked by points, then head-to-head points, head-to-head away goals, then overall matches (goal difference, goals scored, away goals). Home teams are listed first. P W D L GF GA GD Pts Morelia 4 3 0 1 8 2 +6 9 Alajuelense 4 3 0 1 6 4 +2 9 LA Galaxy 4 2 0 2 5 3 +2 6 Motagua 4 0 0 4 2 12 -10 0 Results: 2011-08-16: LA Galaxy 2-0 Motagua 2011-08-16: Alajuelense 1-0 Morelia 2011-08-25:.

Thievery. Robbery. A mugging.
The crime rate is high in Morelia, and that doesn't stop from extending onto the soccer fields there.
Estadio Morelos was site of one of the biggest non-violent crimes in Morelia's recent history. On Tuesday, the Galaxy had a goal and a victory stolen from them.

Thievery. Robbery. A mugging.
The crime rate is high in Morelia, and that doesn't stop from extending onto the soccer fields there.
Estadio Morelos was site of one of the biggest non-violent crimes in Morelia's recent history. On Tuesday, the Galaxy had a goal and a victory stolen from them.

Landon Donovan and Mexico go hand-in-hand like meat and rabid dogs. It seems that every time Donovan plays against Mexico, be it the national team or a Mexican club, Donovan seems to bring out some emotions from Mexican supporters.
He certainly has drawn some emotions out from the locals here in Morelia.

Landon Donovan and Mexico go hand-in-hand like meat and rabid dogs. It seems that every time Donovan plays against Mexico, be it the national team or a Mexican club, Donovan seems to bring out some emotions from Mexican supporters.
He certainly has drawn some emotions out from the locals here in Morelia.

When Galaxy coach Bruce Arena trotted out a different-looking lineup against Colorado, it wasn't just with Colorado in mind.
Sure, Chad Barrett and Paolo Cardozo did well against the Rapids but playing the likes of Barrett, Cardozo, Bryan Jordan and Donovan Ricketts allowed for the Galaxy to rest up some players for Tuesday's match against Morelia.

When Galaxy coach Bruce Arena trotted out a different-looking lineup against Colorado, it wasn't just with Colorado in mind.
Sure, Chad Barrett and Paolo Cardozo did well against the Rapids but playing the likes of Barrett, Cardozo, Bryan Jordan and Donovan Ricketts allowed for the Galaxy to rest up some players for Tuesday's match against Morelia.

There are times when covering soccer is not all that fun. Ridiculously tight deadlines, dealing with uncooperative people, dull matches... been there, done that.
But there are also times when soccer is superb. Now is one of those times.
I'm writing this post from a hotel in Morelia, Mexico, where I've traveled to for the Galaxy's Champions League match against Morelia.

There are times when covering soccer is not all that fun. Ridiculously tight deadlines, dealing with uncooperative people, dull matches... been there, done that.
But there are also times when soccer is superb. Now is one of those times.
I'm writing this post from a hotel in Morelia, Mexico, where I've traveled to for the Galaxy's Champions League match against Morelia.

Below are the updated table and collated results for Group D of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. Teams are ranked by points, then head-to-head points, head-to-head away goals, then overall matches (goal difference, goals scored, away goals). Home teams are listed first. P W D L GF GA GD Pts Seattle Sounders 2 2 0 0 5 1 +4 6 Monterrey 2 1 0 1 5 1 +4 3 Comunicaciones 2 1 0 1 3 4 -1 3 Herediano 2 0 0 2 0 7 -7 0 Results: 2011-08-16: Seattle Sounders 4-1 Comunicaciones 2011-08-17: Herediano 0-5 Monterrey 2011-08-23:.

Below are the updated table and collated results for Group C of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. Teams are ranked by points, then head-to-head points, head-to-head away goals, then overall matches (goal difference, goals scored, away goals). Home teams are listed first. P W D L GF GA GD Pts FC Dallas 2 2 0 0 2 0 +2 6 Toronto FC 2 1 0 1 2 2 +0 3 Tauro 2 0 1 1 1 2 -1 1 UNAM 2 0 1 1 0 1 -1 1 Results: 2011-08-17: UNAM 0-1 FC Dallas 2011-08-18: Tauro 1-2 Toronto.

Below are the updated table and collated results for Group B of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. Teams are ranked by points, then head-to-head points, head-to-head away goals, then overall matches (goal difference, goals scored, away goals). Home teams are listed first. P W D L GF GA GD Pts Colorado Rapids 2 1 1 0 4 3 +1 4 Isidro Metapán 2 1 0 1 4 3 +1 3 Santos Laguna 2 1 0 1 3 4 -1 3 Real España 2 0 1 1 3 4 -1 1 Results: 2011-08-16: Santos Laguna 3-2 Real España 2011-08-17:.

Below are the updated table and collated results for Group A of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. Teams are ranked by points, then head-to-head points, head-to-head away goals, then overall matches (goal difference, goals scored, away goals). Home teams are listed first. P W D L GF GA GD Pts LA Galaxy 2 2 0 0 4 0 +4 6 Morelia 2 1 0 1 4 1 +3 3 Alajuelense 2 1 0 1 1 2 -1 3 Motagua 2 0 0 2 0 6 -6 0 Results: 2011-08-16: LA Galaxy 2-0 Motagua 2011-08-16: Alajuelense 1-0 Morelia 2011-08-25:.

I wanted to develop a spreadsheet that would accept match results in the group stages of the Champions League and calculate an updated table. It took a while to get the cell and array formulas right, but I finally have that spreadsheet which is linked below. The table generator is straightforward to use and the four groups are in separate sheets.

This is the second part of the preview of the CONCACAF Champions League group stage, focusing on Groups C and D. Group C: UNAM, Tauro, FC Dallas, Toronto FC This is the only group with two Major League Soccer teams, but both teams reside in opposite ends of the league table. FC Dallas have recovered well from the injury to David Ferreira with Brek Shea becoming one of the revelations of the 2011 season, while Toronto FC's season has floundered since opening weekend.

With the group stage of the Champions League starting up this week, it's time to write some previews of the four groups. This post will focus on Groups A and B. A preview of Groups C and D will come tonight or early tomorrow. Group A: Los Angeles Galaxy, Alajuelense, Motagua, Morelia The last time the LA Galaxy participated in the Champions League, they were humiliated at home by the Puerto Rico Islanders in a preliminary round tie.

CONCACAF Champions League groups were finally set after the second legs were completed this week. There weren't too many surprises as all MLS and Mexico teams went through - although Olimpia of Honduras made things interesting with Santos Laguna.
Each group looks difficult and each group has its challenges but perhaps the most challenging group is.

This post will be promoted to the top of the site on Champions League match days. Below are collated results and tables for the CONCACAF Champions League group stage. Top two teams in each group advance to the Champions League knockout stages in 2012. Group A P W D L GF GA GD Pts LA Galaxy 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0 Alajuelense 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0 Morelia 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0 Motagua 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0 Group B P W D L GF GA GD.

This is a summary of the disciplinary and refereeing situation in the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League going into the second legs of the preliminary round matches. Real Estelí vs. Toronto FC Referee: Raúl Castro (Honduras) The following players will be suspended for their next CCL match if they receive a yellow card: Torsten Frings (TFC) Gianluca Zavarise (TFC) Jaime Ruíz (Estelí) Francisco López (Estelí) Seattle Sounders vs.

The fourth edition of the CONCACAF Champions League kicks off this week with the first leg of the preliminary round ties. There are new teams in the competition from national associations that have not been represented before. After last season's final between Real Salt Lake and Monterrey, there is increased awareness of the competition in the USA and a desire to do well in the competition.

** This post will be bumped to the top of the site until the end of the Preliminary Round. ** Below are collated results for the Preliminary Round of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League. Ties are a two-match, home-and-away series, higher aggregate score wins, and the away goals rule is in effect. If aggregate and away goals are level, a 30-minute extra time period (away goals rule not in effect) is played with penalties if necessary.

CONCACAF announced that Haiti's representative in the Champions League, Tempête FC, will play its preliminary round home leg versus Morelia in Mexico. In fact, both legs of the tie will be played at Morelia's Estadio Morelos stadium. Under normal circumstances, CONCACAF would exclude the national representative if there was no stadium in the country that met international requirements, but the confederation gave a special dispensation to Haiti because of continued recovery efforts from the massive and catastrophic earthquake last year.

Real Estelí returned to the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time in three editions with an aggregate victory over Walter Ferretí in the Clausura final. Estelí had lost the first leg 1-0, but won the return leg 3-1 (the deciding goal a free kick with two minutes to go) to win the title 3-1 on aggregate.