Now that Real Salt Lake’s fantastic ride in the CONCACAF Champions League tournament has ended, a new edition begins. From the headquarters inside the Trump Tower in New York City, the 2011-12 Qualifying Round and group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League was finally drawn.

As we already know the Los Angeles Galaxy won last year’s Supporters Shield and the Colorado Rapids are the defending MLS Cup Champions, so they are automatically entered the group stage, while last year’s MLS Cup runners-up along with the two time defending US Open Cup Champions Seattle Sounders will enter in the goal aggregate qualifying round along with the Canadian MLS representative (either Toronto FC or Vancouver Whitecaps).

As everyone was waiting with baited breath and hoping to find a way to knock on the door to the secretive room where the draw would be taken place, we have the groups and the qualifying round match ups that will start on July 26th.

They are as follows:

Group A: Los Angeles Galaxy (USA), Alajuelense (CRC), Winner of Mexican Clausura Runner-Up/Caribbean Club Championship Runner-Up, Winner of Montagua (HON) / Municipal (GUA)

Group B: Colorado Rapids (USA), Real Espana (HON), Winner of Santos Laguna (MEX) / Olimpia (HON), Winner of Isidro Metepan (SLV) / Caribbean Club Champion

Group C: Mexican Clausura Champion, FC Tauro (PAN), Winner of Alianza (SLV) / FC Dallas (USA), Winner of Canadian Champion (TOR or VAN) / Nicaragua Qualifier

Group D: Monterrey (MEX & Defending Champion), Comunicaiones (GUA), Winner of San Francisco FC (PAN) / Seattle Sounders (USA), Winner of Herediano (CRC) / Caribbean Club Championship 3rd Place finisher

Schedule:

  • Qualifying Round 1st Leg: July 26th thru July 28th
  • Qualifying Round 2nd Leg: August 2nd thru August 4th
  • Group Stage Round 1: August 16th thru August 18th
  • Group Stage Round 2: August 23rd thru August 25th
  • Group Stage Round 3: September 13th thru September 15th
  • Group Stage Round 4: September 20th thru September 22nd
  • Group Stage Round 5: September 27th thru September 29th
  • Group Stage Round 6: October 18th thru October 20th