For one night, at least, all MLS fans should be rooting for the MLS Cup champions.
Sporting Kansas City will face Saprissa in Costa Rica on Thursday (10 pm ET, FOX Soccer Plus) in the last match of the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League group stage. Here are Kansas City's scenarios and how they affect the other quarterfinalists, including a graphic to help you keep track during the Saprissa-KC match:
WIN: First and foremost, Kansas City would advance to the quarterfinals with a win. Where they would be seeded, however, would depend on the score.
A Kansas City win by 1-2 goals or by 3-0 will clinch the No. 4 seed for the defending MLS Cup champions and will push the Montreal Impact down to the No. 5 seed, setting up an all-MLS quarterfinal. It would also mean that three out of the four teams on the top half of the bracket would be MLS teams, with D.C. United playing Alajuelense in the 1v8 matchup.
A 4-1 Kansas City win would result in a drawing of lots between Kansas City and Herediano for the third seed (the clubs would be tied on points, goal differential, goals scored, away goals, wins and away wins.
A Kansas City win by three goals at a higher number (5-2, 6-3, etc.) or by more than three goals would make Kansas City the No. 3 seed, setting up a quarterfinal matchup with Honduran club Olimpia.
TIE: If Kansas City and Saprissa draw, KC will still advance to the quarterfinals but will be seeded seventh and face a quarterfinal matchup with Mexican power Club América, while Montreal would face Pachuca. The Tuzos won the tournament back in 2007, 2008 (Champions' Cup) and 2010, but the Tuzos would have to travel to Montreal for the second leg of their series against the Impact.
LOSS: Kansas City can sneak through with a one-goal loss, because they would hold the goal difference edge over Saprissa due to their 3-1 victory over the Costa Rican side back in September. Sporting can also advance with a high-scoring, two-goal loss (4-2, 5-3 and up), because they would hold the away-goals edge in the head-to-head series. Kansas City would be the No. 7 seed in these scenarios.
A 3-1 Saprissa win would tie the teams on every available tiebreaker, and the quarterfinal berth would be determined by a drawing of lots.
Should Saprissa win by 2-0 or any margin of three goals or more, they would advance as the No. 7 seed. Costa Rica would lead all countries (and leagues) with three clubs in the quarterfinals, and Montreal would still face Pachuca.
The 2014-15 CCL quarterfinals are shaping up to be the most competitively balanced since the current tournament format was implemented for 2008-09. In fact, this is the first time that Mexico will only have two representatives in the quarterfinals.
Below are the current standings and possible seedings for the quarterfinal stage as of Thursday morning, with only SKC and Saprissa still to play. This is the last quarterfinal berth still up for grabs, as all other teams with a chance to get in the knockout stage have completed group play. It's worth noting that goal differential is the first tiebreaker. Teams in bold have clinched (or virtually clinched) their seed.
- 1. D.C. United - USA (12pts, +5 GD)
- 2. Club America - Mexico (10pts, +16 GD)
- 3. Herediano - Costa Rica (10pts, +8 GD) or SKC
- 4. Montreal Impact - Canada (10pts, +3 GD) or Herediano or SKC
- 5. Pachuca - Mexico (9pts, +9 GD) or Montreal
- 6. Olimpia - Honduras (9pts, +7 GD) or Pachuca
- 7. Sporting Kansas City - USA (7pts, +5 GD) or Saprissa - Costa Rica (4pts, +1 GD) or Olimpia
- 8. Alajuelense - Costa Rica (6pts, +1 GD)
The two quarterfinal legs are tentatively scheduled for Feb. 24-March 5, 2015. The No. 1 seed will play the No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6 and No. 4 vs. No. 5. The higher-seeded club hosts the second leg.
