Monterrey - Seattle Sounders

CONCACAF Champions League

Both teams started this competition in high fashion, and both recorded clear wins in the first round. However, Monterrey gets the bigger round of applause, as they pounded Herediano as visitors, with a whooping 5-0. They are the defending champions, so I'm sure everyone expects them to do well, as they try to defend their title. That's probably why they haven't decided to put an exclusively reserve-team (like Pumas did last week), and I have to say, they are looking good. And for today, they have the entire squad at their disposal, including striker Humberto Suazo, who recovered from an injury and could see some action tonight. Of course, this doesn't mean we'll see a 100% team, but it should be a good mix. The Sounders also started the tournament in fashion, with a 4-1 win of Comunicaciones, despite playing with a few reserves, and with a man less for the last 30 minutes, at the score of 1-1. So a good performance overall, but Monterrey is at a whole other level. No word about the Sounders line-up for tonight, but I doubt it will be the best they have, as they played a tough match in the weekend, at Dallas (25 shots towards the goal for Dallas, but still they lost), and the players were looking dead tired at the end. Last season, Seattle and Monterrey also played in the groups, and Los Rayados won 3-2 in Mexico, despite being 0-2 down at HT, after a horrendous first half. Their win today shouldn't be in doubt.

Monterrey (-0.75 AH) @ 1.72, 4/10

Result: 0-1, LOST

Monterrey - Seattle Sounders

CONCACAF Champions League

No surprises for Monterrey for this match, as they will do their usual 'mix-up' in the starting team. They know quality is on their side, and they shouldn't be too nervous at all, as they are as good as qualified, and now they are only playing for the top spot, in order to avoid playing another Mexican team in the next round. That shouldn't mean they aren't motivated just because they are almost qualified, and I'm sure they won't be slackers, especially since they won all their matches so far, including a 2-0 win in Seattle, using a squad similar to what is expected today. The Sounders are as good as out of the competition, as they don't have a single point so far in the group, and the only way for them to have some chances is to make history and become the first MLS team that wins in Mexico. But that won't happen, that is why RSL will be using a team made up mostly of reserves and fringe players, as their league match against Chicago Fire is surely considered more important. Monterrey should have the upper hand here, from all points of view, and I'd be really surprised if they don't win with at least a 2-0 score. GL!

Monterrey (-1.5 AH) @ 2.03, 3/10

Result: 3-2, LOST

Deportivo Saprissa - Seattle Sounders

CONCACAF Champions League

Seattle Sounders might have had 5 days of rest, which is a rarity for the MLS teams so late in the season, but I won't be expecting a full strength line-up today. Couldn't find any reports about who will play, but looking at their schedule (they will have 4 consecutive away games: at Saprissa, at Columbus Crew, at Monterrey and at Chicago), and knowing their priority is the MLS play-offs, I sure they will count on some of their fringe players. That won't necessarily change much of the team's face, but with their poor displays so far (losing both matches, at home with Monterrey and at Marathon) we shouldn't expect too much from them. Saprissa, on the other hand, is looking to have found their pace, having 4 games without losing, and it looks like they are going to repeat the line-up that trashed Perez Zeledon at the weekend with 4-1. Meaning that Centeno, Sequeira and their other 'big names' should start tonight. Confidence is high at Saprissa, and a win today will get them closer to the qualification. And with their good form showed recently on their home stadium (defeated Marathon with 4-1 in their last Concachampions match), I'm pretty sure they will be too good for the Sounders. GL!

Deportivo Saprissa @ 1.85, 4/10

Result: 2-0, WON