The 2020 MLS regular season may be over, but four MLS sides still have a Concacaf Champions League title to play for.
The quarterfinals resume after a nine-month hiatus on Tuesday, with the Montreal Impact taking on CD Olimpia carrying a 2-1 deficit from the first leg in Montreal and NYCFC looking to overturn a similar 1-0 deficit against Liga MX powerhouse Tigres after their first leg at home in March.
By far the toughest task belongs to Atlanta United, who on Wednesday will have to overcome a 3-0 first-leg loss against Club America. LAFC, meanwhile, will face a one-off game against Cruz Azul after their first leg was called off in March.
All four matches will take place in Exploria Stadium in Orlando and of the four MLS clubs, Atlanta didn’t make the playoffs this year, the Impact were eliminated in the Play-In Round, while NYCFC and LAFC lost in Round One.
Which begs the question: Which MLS club has the best chance in Concacaf Champions League?
Extratime’s David Gass gave LAFC the nod with NYCFC coming in second, but Matt Doyle argued that the difference between the two is monumental.
“Tigres isn't the team they were two or three years ago, but they're still really, really good and NYCFC are playing them one-nil down,” Doyle said.
“I would argue for Tigres, not winning in the Mexico playoffs, they've never won CCL — this might be a moment for them to kind of come together and be like, ‘let’s try and win this.’ There’s no reason not to,” Gass added.
While the whole Extratime crew agreed that LAFC have the best chance of the four to win, it’s not smooth sailing by any means.
“It would not surprise me if LAFC get past them, but it’s gonna be difficult. Cruz Azul is a super talented team and then they would end up playing Club America in the semis … they would have to beat Cruz Azul then Club America then presumably Tigres would be the favorites on the other side — that would be a hell of a run,” said Doyle.
Watch the entire Extratime clip below and tell us who you think might make it all the way in CCL in the comments.
