:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/1024140/GYI0061237066.jpg)
We've played in a lot of different competitions so far this season, both serious (MLS) and not so serious (friendlies). In a couple of weeks though, the Galaxy start what could be their most serious of competitions this season when they begin play in the CONCACAF Champions League. It'll be a chance to try for regional dominance and at the very least, it will be a chance to make up for last year's debacle in the competition. We won't both getting into the details of last year.
The Galaxy's first match in the Champions League won't start until August 16-18 (the exact schedule for the group stage has yet to be determined), but they're starting to get a clearer picture of what their group, Group A, will look like. Alajuelense, last year's Costa Rica champions, are the only other team confirmed in Group A besides the Galaxy.
The other two teams in their group will be determined by a couple preliminary stage, two-legged, ties. That preliminary stage got underway last week too so the 2011-2012 CONCACAF Champions League is officially underway
One of the preliminary stage ties of interest looks like a walkover. Correction, it is a walkover. Morelia plays Tempete in a tie that will see the Mexican team roll through without even having to play its starters. Mexican teams won their preliminary stage ties by a combined score of 15-2 last year and Tempete won't do any better. We can go ahead and slot Morelia into our group, even if they don't actually even play their first preliminary stage match until tonight.
The other preliminary stage tie of interest is between Motagua and Municipal. Basically, we get one of Honduras or Guatemala's best teams. With Jorge Claros and Ivan Guerrero in the team, Motagua can be dangerous. They also have out best friend, "Pando" Ramirez. Yony Flores and the always dangerous Eliseo Quintanilla lead the Municipal team so they too present a challenge. Whoever gets out of this tie, which starts on Thursday, will be a tough out for the Galaxy.
Whoever lands in the Galaxy's group, it will be the Group of Death. There is no doubt that it's the toughest of the four in the competition so we're just a lucky bunch, aren't we?