And we’re back - The 2022 version of CONCACAF Champions League is here, and it will likely break MLS fans’ hearts all over again. This year’s CCL will feature plenty of familiar faces from the United States and Mexico. We will also see three debutants enter the competition: Forge FC, Cavalry FC, and Santos FC. A familiar question lingers, though; do any of the MLS clubs have a shot at winning the CCL? From a historical standpoint, it seems unlikely.

However, for once, the CCL tournament bracket draw was favorable for MLS teams. On one side of the bracket, there are three MLS clubs that will potentially face only one Liga MX side (let’s not mess this up NYCFC, Seattle, or Colorado!). Unfortunately, on the other side, two MLS clubs will likely have to contend with three Liga MX sides(sorry, New England and Montreal). But let’s not get ahead of ourselves - the opening round has yet to start and no ones chances have been hurt yet. Let’s look at the Round of 16 matchups:

NYCFC vs Santos FC

NYCFC: Won 2021 MLS Cup - 2nd CCL Appearance

Santos: Finished 6th in 2021 CONCACAF League - 1st CCL Appearance

Welcome to CCL, Santos FC! Unfortunately, you have to face the club that just won MLS Cup - ouch. From an MLS and NYCFC perspective, this is a great draw; Santos FC were the worst team that qualified via the CONCACAF League, and I would argue that they’re one of the worst teams in the tournament. With that said, there is some experience on this Costa Rican side. The striker pairing of Jamaican international Javon East and Cuban international Luis Paradela has been a good one for Santos. East won the Costa Rican Clausura’s Golden Boot only two seasons ago and had 19 goals across all competitions last season. Paradela plays as the second striker for Erick Rodriguez’s side; last season, he put away 8 goals in roughly 2,100 minutes. East and Paradela are going to have a tough challenge ahead of of them - NCFC’s Peruvian center-back Alexander Callens and Designated Player center-back Thiago Martins can potentially dominate this matchup. Young NYCFC stars in Santi Rodriguez, Nicholas Acevedo, Talles Magno, and Taty Castellanos are primed to lead this club into a new generation that could all begin in the 2022 CCL.

**NYCFC’s Impact Player**

Taty Castellanos

It may be the easy answer, but NYCFC’s biggest impact player is Taty Castelllanos, who was the 2021 MLS Golden Boot leader and carries a high price tag on the transfer market. He’s done it domestically for the club - now it’s time to prove it regionally.

**Santos’ Impact Player**

Osvaldo Rodriguez

Santos FC’s 31-year-old captain has won the Costa Rican 1st division, has played over 380 club games in his career, and is a balanced player, offensively and defensively. If Santos wins, it’s likely because their experienced captain will have stepped up.

My prediction: Even with NYCFC playing their “home” games in Los Angeles, I think City gets it done against a weaker Santos FC side and moves on to the quarterfinals.

CF Montreal vs Santos Laguna

CF Montreal: Won 2021 Canadian Championship - 5th CCL Appearance

Santos Laguna: Runner-Up in 2021 Mexican Guardiantes - 7th CCL Appearance

This matchup is the toughest first round draw for MLS this year. Montreal faces a tough Santos Laguna side from Liga MX. The good news? To start the 2022 Liga MX Clausura, Santos Laguna is currently sitting in last place with a -7 goal differential. Santos Laguna’s scuess likely hinges on the play of winger Brian Lozano. The Uruguayan winger is leading the Santos Laguna attack, with 1 goal and 2 assists so far. Also, Uruguayan Midfielder Fernando Gorriaran might just be the player Santos Laguna needs to control the Montreal midfield. To secure a first round upset, Montreal will need Djordje Mihailovic to step up. Though Victor Wanyama might be the biggest name on this Montreal roster, Mihailovic is arguably their best player; the 23-year-old American notched 16 assists las season and trained with Bologna in Italy’s Serie A during the off season. He will likely be the one driving the bus for Montreal, and it’s going to be interesting to see who else will.step up to the opportunity. Is it the previously mentioned Wanyama? Could it be Joaquin Torres? Will Montreal’s defensive additions Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller make a difference? Time will tell.

Montreal’s
Impact Player

Djordje Mihailovic

I may have made this one obvious, but this tournament could really spotlight how much of a star the American attacker is right now.

**Santos Laguna’s**
**Impact Player**

Metheus Doria

I know I’ve mentioned Lozano and Gorriaran, but I think Santos Laguna will rely heavily on their defense. Arguably their best defender is center-back Metheus Doria, who has played 450 minutes already this season. Doria needs to control whoever is going to be coming at him within a mixed Montreal attack.

My prediction: I think this one is tougher than it looks on paper, but I’m predicting a Santos Laguna win. They’ve been playing full matches, and match fitness is important right now. I think Montreal makes it closer than some might expect, but not enough to move on past the first round.

Club Leon vs Guastatoya

Club Leon: Won 2020 Mexican Guardiantes - 4th CCL Appearance

Guastatoya: Finished 4th in 2021 CONCACAF League - 2nd CCL Appearance

Over the past few years, Leon has been one of the strongest Liga MX clubs, winning plenty of games as well as trophies. That said, Leon has had a slow start to their Clausura campaign, currently sitting 12th in the league table. However, this is an experienced group: between the likes of Ivan Rodriguez, William Tesillo, Rodolfo Cota, and Angel Mena, Leon should be able to move past the Guatemalan side. For Guastatoya, it will most likely fall on the shoulders of Mexican striker Luis Angel Landin. The 36-year-old striker had 13 goals across 2,500 minutes in 2021/2022. Can Landin break through an older backline and sneak in a goal or two? I hope so, for Guastatoya’s sake. Outside of that, the attack will rely on help from Matias Galvaliz and Nicolas Martinez.

**Club Leon’s**
**Impact Player**

Victor Davilla

I could pick several Leon players to make the biggest impact for the club, especially since there’s a ton of talent on their roster. However, I think their success will come down to their hottest player right now - Victor Davila. The young Chilean striker has an opportunity to go off against a weaker side.

**Guastatoya’s**
**Impact Player**

Luis Angel Landin

I hate to say it, but there aren’t a ton of options here. As mentioned, I am going to go with Luis Angel Landin - he’s a hot striker can make some magic in any tournament.

My prediction: I love a good upset, but I don’t think it’s going to happen in this matchup. I predict Club Leon will move on easily.

Cruz Azul vs Forge FC

Cruz Azul: Won the 2021 Mexican Guardiantes - 8th CCL Appearance

Forge FC: Finished 3rd in 2021 CONCACAF League - 1st CCL Appearance

Congratulations to Forge FC - they are the first ever Canadian Premier League club to play in the CONCACAF Champions League. Sadly, I don’t think their time in CCL will be long. Forge FC are facing one of the giants of Mexican soccer right now in Cruz Azul. This off-season, Forge FC have brought in some experience with MLS veteran Ashtone Morgan, as well as a familiar CCL face in Omar Browne and winger Tristan Borges, who has experience in he Belgium First Division. These players add to a core group that consists of Kyle Bekker, Kwame Awuah, and Triston Henry, who won the CPL championship last season. Forge FC should be as ready as possible to give Cruz Azul a decent fight, but Cruz Azul is an extremely tough opponent. Midfielder Carlos Rodriguez is a stud along with winger Uriel Antuna, among many others. Cruz Azul has a ton of strength on their backline and a ton of fire power up top. Saying it will be difficult for FOrge FC is an understatement.

**Cruzl Azul’s**
**Impact Player**

Carlos Rodriguez

It’s easily Carlos Rodriguez. The Mexican international is a star and will likely show it in this matchup against a weaker opponent.

**Forge FC’s**
**Impact Player**

Kyle Bekker

Captain Kyle Bekker has been around the block and has been an amazing leader for this club. If Forge FC want to win, they need to control the ball, which will stem from Bekker being top class.

My prediction: Sorry Canada, but Cruz Azul is moving on.

Pumas vs Saprissa

Pumas: Finished 2nd in 2020 Mexican Guardiantes - 5th CCL Appearance

Saprissa: Finished 5th in 2021 CONCACAF League - 11th CCL Appearance

Saprissa has been here before - they know this tournament. From a MLS point of view, many of their players are familiar, too: Ulises Segura, Kendall Waston, David Guzman, Aubrey David and several others all have previous MLS experience. Defensively, Saprissa is stout, experienced, and have CONCACAF tournament experience. However, I worry about where the goals will come from for Saprissa. Right now, it looks like Mariano Torres is their main source of goalscoring, but who else can step up for this squad against a tough Mexican side? Pumas has some familiar MLS faces on their roster as well. Former LA Galaxy star Favio Alvarez and former RSL star Sebastian Saucedo have been getting some playing time recently. Pumas are a very creative club - they will look to create a ton of scoring opportunities. But Who will finish them? Pumas will need a game winner, and I am not 100% sure they have one.

Winger Jose Rogerio currently leads goal scoring for Pumas in this Clausura - he has 4 goals, while no one else on the roster has more than 1. If Pumas are going to win, they will need to score against an experienced defense, so Rogerio looks like their top option.

**Saprissa’s**
**Impact Player**

Ulises Segura

I believe that the recently-signed 28 year old Ulises Segura might be the best player on this Saprissa side, although he didn’t play a single match for Austin FC last season due to a knee injury. Can Segura find some form at Saprissa and help lead the attack? He is going to need to.

My prediction: I love Saprissa and what they bring to CONCACAF: they have a certain style, brand, and quality that is unique compared to the United States, Mexico, and Canada. In saying all that, parts of Saprissa’s roster are old - I am going with the younger Pumas side.

Colorado Rapids vs Comunicaciones

Colorado Rapids: Won West in 2021 MLS regular season - 3rd CCL Appearance

Comunicaciones: Won the 2021 CONCACAF League - 7th CCL Appearance

No Designated Players, no problem? The Rapids did some crazy things in the 2021 MLS season by finishing 1st in the Western Conference with 0 active designated players. Now, the Rapids have 0 DPs since Younes Namli is no longer with the club. The Rapids have also traded away Kellyn Acosta and will see Auston Trusty leave for Arsenal this summer. Robin Fraser’s boys play amazing defense and have a strong midfield, but who will finish for Colorado? The thing the Rapids were missing the most in the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs was a game winner in the attack. Colorado, please spend some of that transfer money on a DP striker and win this thing, please! This Rapids team will face a Guatemalan club that has scored a lot of goals. Andres Lezcano and Juan Anangono are two experienced strikers who combined for 25 goals in their 2021/2022 campaign. However,my eyes are on Oscar Santis: this young attacking midfielder could be the player that unlocks the striker pair to score a bunch of goals in this matchup.

**Colorado’s**
**Impact Player**

Jack Price

A name that widely goes overlooked on the Colorado roster is Jack Price. Usually, you expect assists and play creation from your #10. For the Rapids, this comes from a deep-lying midfielder. Price needs to unlock that midfield and set up opportunities for the likes of Shinyashiki, Rubio, and Barrios.

**Comunicaciones’**
**Impact Player**

Oscar Santis

My pick here is Oscar Santis. The 22-year-old Guatemalan international is very good and could break out if Comunicaciones are able to go on a run. If Santis can set up offensive opportunities against a tough Rapids defense, watch out.

My prediction: I think the Rapids are going to take this one. They are too tough in the middle of the field with the likes of Price, Mark Anthony Kaye, and Trusty. Colorado should move on to the Round of 16.

Seattle Sounders vs Motagua

Seattle Sounders: Most points of unqualified MLS clubs - 7th CCL Appearance

Motagua: Finished 2nd in 2021 CONCACAF League - 6th CCL Appearance

The Sounders are loaded with stars; Peruvian international Raul Ruidiaz, Uruguayan international Nico Lodeiro, Slovakian international Albert Rusnak, Cameroon international Nouhou Tolo, and many more. These players have faced big games and big competitions in the past, and any number of them can take apart this weaker Honduran side. Even if one player doesn’t step up, there are another three or more who can fill that void. For Motagua, there is going to be a lot of pressure on the backline - the Sounders will likely bring line after line at them. For Motagua, their success will arguably depend on their most talented player in center back Denil Maldonado. The 23-year-old defender is coming back to Motagua from Pachuca in Liga MX - he will have his hands full, but could anchor his side and lead them to an upset.

You could pick almost any name off their roster and they would likely have a huge impact for Seattle. That said, I am going to pick Joao Paulo here. Paulo has not experienced CCL yet, but the Sounders are going to need him to adjust to a unique tournament and win big.

**Motagua’s**
**Impact Player**

Roberto Moreira

If Motagua wins, it’s because they converted a big-time goal against this tough Sounders side. I am going to lean with my pick here in striker Roberto Moreira. The 34-year-old has 9 goals across the 2021/2022 campaign and is leading the team in that category.

My prediction: Sounders win big and win easily. Next.

New England Revolution vs Cavaly

New England Revolution: Won the 2021 Supporter’s Shield - 2nd CCL Appearance

Cavaly: Won the Caribbean Club Championship - 1st CCL Appearance

This one may be easy, unfortunately. Cavaly are having some visa issues and may be forced to forfeit their first-round matchup against the Revs - the first game has already been delayed. Hopefully the powers that be can find a way for this matchup to kick off, because nobody wants to win on an off-field issue like this. Fingers are crossed, but a New England Win is likely due to forfeit.

Feb 15 2022 CONCACAF Champions League Preview