A year after all but one MLS team failed to reach the knockout round of the CONCACAF Champions League, the defending MLS champion Columbus Crew has become the first Major League Soccer team to earn a place in the quarterfinals.
The Crew tied the Puerto Rico Islanders, 1-1, on Tuesday night to lock up a quarterfinal berth. D.C. United fell short in its quest to also secure a quarterfinal spot on Tuesday, but did manage an impressive 1-1 tie vs. Toluca in Mexico. Chris Pontius opened the scoring but a second-half penalty kick helped Toluca salvage a point.
Now D.C. United needs San Juan Jabloteh to tie or beat CD Marathon on Thursday to reach the quarterfinals. That is a tall order considering San Juan Jabloteh has yet to win a match in group play.
The Houston Dynamo takes the field on Wednesday with a chance of reaching the quarters. Dom Kinnear's men need a win against Metapan, but also need Pachuca to beat Arabe Unido. Pachuca has already clinched its quarterfinal place.
What did you think of the MLS teams' performances on Tuesday? Happy to see the Crew reach the quarters? Impressed with D.C. United's showing vs. Toluca?
Share your thoughts below.
