For the second year in a row, the LA Galaxy drew El Salvadorian side Isidro Metapan in the group stage of CONCACAF Champions League. They will be joined in the group by Costa Rican side CS Cartagines, the 2013 Verano runner-up, who qualified due to Belize losing their CCL spot for not having adequate facilities.
In the original draw, the Galaxy were at the top of Group 8 with Liga MX Clausura runner-up Cruz Azul drawn as their Pot B side. Due to CONCACAF's rule about US and Mexican teams not being drawn into the same groups, a re-draw had to be done. The Houston Dynamo were also drawn with Club Tijuna, so both Pot B sides were redistributed.
Metapan were taken from Group 1 and placed with LA Galaxy. The Houston Dynamo then took the vacant spot in Group 1. Houston's Group 7 spot went to CD Victoria who were originally drawn in Group 3. Cruz Azul were then placed in Group 3.
Last year in a group with AD Isidro Metapan and Puerto Rico Islanders, LA Galaxy sent a reserve side to both of the away dates. Bruce Arena cited this ability for reserves to get points on the road as being crucial for keeping the senior squad in the playoff race. With this year's draw, expect much of the same for the away dates.
CS Cartagines play in a 13, 500 seat stadium with a grass field. It's 105 meters by 68 meters, shorter than the pitch at the Victoria Street Grounds but about equally wide. Metapan's stadium holds 10,000, and has a an artificial pitch.