Soccer  > General Soccer  > Cruz Azul to open CCL Preliminary Round
June 9, 2010, 02:53 PM
NEW YORK -- Canadian champion Toronto FC will open the CONCACAF Champions League against Motagua of Honduras on July 27, while two-time runner-up Cruz Azul will embark on a third attempt to win the title later the same day against San Francisco FC in Panama.

The Preliminary Round schedule announced Teusday also includes opening-day clashes with Trinidad's San Juan Jabloteh facing Santos Laguna of Mexico on July 27 in the first leg of their series and the MLS Cup runner-up Los Angeles Galaxy facing the Puerto Rico Islanders.

Tauro FC of Panama will host Marathon of Honduras as 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28, with Brujas of Costa Rica to follow against Joe Public of Trinidad and the U.S. Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders hosting Metapan of El Salvador later.

The first leg will conclude Thursday, July 29, with CD FAS of El Salvador hosting Guatemala's Xelaju.

The second leg of each series will be held the following week with Cruz Azul-San Francisco, Motagua-Toronto and Metapan-Seattle on Tuesday, August 3; Puerto Rico-Los Angeles, Santos-Jabloteh and Marathon Tauro on Wednesday, August 4; and Joe Public-Brujas and Xelaju-FAS completing the Preliminary Round on Thursday, August 5.

The winners on aggregate all will advance to the Group Stage, which will commence August 17-19.

The top two teams in each group will qualify for the knockout quarterfinals, set for February and March of 2011.

Preliminary Round Schedule
(All Times U.S. Eastern; home teams listed first)
First Leg
Tuesday, July 27
Toronto FC (CAN) vs. Montagua (HON), 8 p.m.
San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) vs. Santos Laguna (MEX), 8 p.m.
Los Angeles Galaxy (USA) vs. Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR), 10 p.m.
San Francisco FC (PAN) vs. Cruz Azul (MEX), 10 p.m.

Wednesday, July 28
Tauro FC (PAN) vs. Marathon (HON), 8 p.m.
Brujas (CRC) vs. Joe Public (TRI), 10 p.m.
Seattle Sounders (USA) vs. Metapan (SLV), 10 p.m.

Thursday, July 29
CD FAS (SLV) vs. Xejaju (GUA), 10 p.m.

Second Leg
Tuesday, August 3
Cruz Azul (MEX) vs. San Francisco (PAN), 8 p.m.
Motagua (HON) vs. FC Toronto (CAN), 8 p.m.
Metapan (SLV) vs. Seattle (USA), 10 p.m.

Wednesday, August 4
Puerto Rico (PUR) vs. Los Angeles A Galaxy (USA), 8 p.m.
Santos Laguna (MEX) vs. San Juan Jabloteh (TRI), 10 p.m.
Marathon (HON) vs. Tauro (PAN), 10 p.m.

Thursday, August 5
Joe Public (TRI) vs. Brujas (CRC), 8 p.m.
Xelaju (GUA) vs. FAS (SLV), 10 p.m.

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