From the moment that Andres Guardado hoisted the Gold Cup into the air for his victorious Mexican side, the region's footballing governing body CONCACAF was already preparing for its next tournament. The 2015 CONCACAF Champions League.
Once again Mexican and American interest in the tournament remains high as both country's representatives compete not only for the trophy itself but for the bragging rights of their respective leagues.
Liga MX is facing a challenge from the MLS for superiority as the region's premier domestic club football league and this battle will be played out through the varying stages of this year's Champions League.
Last year's victors Club America, who overcame the Montreal Impact in the final, could struggle to retain their title as this year is set to be one of the strongest tournaments ever.
With four representatives from both Mexico and America along with 16 other teams, the 2015 CONCACAF Champions League could be the most keenly contested ever.
Having seen the draw be announced for the group stage matches recently, clubs will be looking ahead to the key battle in the early round as they look to progress relatively unscathed.
Group A: Santos Laguna, Saprissa, W Connection
Group A sees Liga MX Clausura champions up against Costa Ricans Saprissa and Trinidad and Tobago side W Connection..
Santos should certainly be favorite for qualification to the knockout stages but their matches against Saprissa will be the key ties.
Key Matches
Saprissa vs Santos Laguna , August 25, Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Ayma, 22:00
Santos Laguna vs Saprissa, October 20, Estadio Corona, 20:00
Group B: Tigres, Herediano, Isidro Metapan
Group B sees Copa Libertadores finalists Tigres up against Metapan of El Salvador and Costa Ricans Herediano.
Tigres should have far too much firepower for their opponents and should qualify with ease.
Key Matches:
UANL Tigres vs Isidro Metapan, August 18, Estadio Universitario, 20:00
Metapan vs UANL Tigres, September 24, Estadio Jorge Calero Suarez 22:00
Group C: Queretaro, San Francisco, Verdes
Group C has Queretaro against Belize outfit Verdes and Panamanians San Francisco.
Even without Brazilian Ronaldinho on their side Queretaro should be able to progress without too much trouble.
Key Matches:
Queretaro vs San Francisco, August 4th, Estadio Corregidora, 20:00
San Francisco vs Queretaro, August 26th, Estadio Maracana, 20:00
Group D: LA Galaxy, Comunicaciones, Central
Group D sees the first of the MLS competitors as LA Galaxy face Guatemalas Comunicaciones and Trinidad and Tobago side Central.
The Trinidadians boast three players from the national side that were so impressive during the Gold Cup but 2000 winners LA Galaxy should still have far too much quality to have any problems in qualifying.
Key Matches:
LA Galaxy vs Central, August 6, StubHib Center, 22:00
Central vs LA Galaxy, September 23, Hasely Crawford Stadium, 22:00
Group E: Club America, Motagua, Walter Ferretti
Group E sees defending champions Club America face Motagua of Honduras and Nicaraguan champions Walter Ferretti.
America will be very happy with their group and should progress easily.
Key Matches:
America vs Motagua, August 5th, Estadio Azteca, 22:00
Montagua vs America, October 20th, Estadio Tiburcio, 22:00
Group F: Vancouver Whitecaps, Seattle Sounders, Olimpia
Group F has been touted as the group of death as MLS rivals Vancouver and Seattle face off against each other as well as Hondurans Olimpia.
The Hondurans will have dreams of progression but the group should be a straight face between the Sounders and the Whitecaps.
Key Matches
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders, August 5th, BC Place, 22:00
Seattle Sounders vs Vancouver Whitecaps, September 23rd, CenturyLink Field
Group G: Real Salt Lake, Municipal, Santa Tecla
Group G sees MLS side Real Salt Lake host El Savadors Santa Tecla and Guatemala side Municipal.
RSL will be hugely confident of their progression to the next round as they look to have a far superior team to their group rivals.
Key Matches:
Municipal vs Real Salt Lake, August 4th, Estadio Mateo Flores, 22:00
Real Salt Lake vs Municipal, October 20, Rio Tinto Stadium, 22:00
Group H: D.C. United, Arabe United, Montego Bay United
Group H sees a similar draw for D.C. United as last year as they face Panamanians Arabe Unido and lone Jamaican representatives Montego Bay United.
D.C. Will have to work for their qualification as Arabe Unido will be buoyed by last season's victory over MLS side the Houston Dynamo.
Key Matches:
D.C. United vs Montego Bay United, August 25th, RFK Stadium, 20:00
Montego Bay United vs D.C. United, September 20th, Montego Bay Sports Complex, 20:00
For America the task of retaining their title will be their most important goal, but perhaps the battle between MLS and Liga MX could be the most interesting storyline in this year's competition.
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