Ahead of Sporting KC's Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League match, we caught up with Goal.com's Jon Arnold to talk the group stage, #CFCvSKC, and other MLS sides in action this week. Live coverage of tonight's match starts at 7 p.m. CT on CONCACAF's Facebook Page.
With both teams unable to advance to the knockout stage, what are some things to watch for from Wednesday’s match?
I think youth being on display will be a key, probably for both sides. Central may have a few stand-outs who can draw the eye of MLS scouts, and of course Sporting KC will be able to call on some of the depth that has helped the Swope Park Rangers get to the USL Cup final.
Along with Kenwyne Jones, who are a few players to watch on Central FC’s squad?
Darren Mitchell, who I've seen play a second striker role, is bagging a load of goals in the domestic league and might be a player who shows up in a bigger league at some point. And he may not start, but midfielder Keron Cummings has been a player I've enjoyed watching.
Jones has a knee injury, and I don't believe he'll play. I am fascinated to see him once he's on the field again. He's not exactly known for being a player that works hard for 90 minutes, and that's what new Atlanta United coach Tata Martino likely will demand.
Central is a bit off the map for a place to stay fit (it's probably easier to watch his future Atlanta teammate Hector "Tito" Villaba on loan at Tijuana's U-20 team), so seeing what he's been up to will be nice.
What are your thoughts on what you’ve seen from the group stage?
I wrote on Goal about Central American teams have jumped up and made things interesting. Obviously Arabe Unido not just getting past Monterrey but beating Los Rayados twice, including in Monterrey is the big story. But fellow Panamanian side Plaza Almador beating Tigres is also a shock result.
Liga MX and MLS teams aren't even trying to coast through any more, and it's because they know they can't. The level of the top teams in other countries is too strong if you have the right manager who can give his team a tactical plan to go after and beat the big boys.
Panamanian side Arabe Unido upset Mexican side Monterrey to win Group D. How has the overall strength of CONCACAF (club and national teams) evolved in the last 5-10 years?
I think it's probably ebbed and flowed, and that's a good thing. You see the same thing where competition is healthiest in soccer, like in Europe where English clubs are having an identity crisis and Italian and German clubs are striking back after years of Spanish dominance.
No Central American teams managed to get the quarterfinals last time around. This time, we'll have at least one, probably two. That's showing that CL can have worth and value. Nobody, Mexican sides included, want this thing around if it's just going to be a semifinals with four Mexican teams again. They do that enough in the preseason. You've seen soccer evolve in the U.S., in Honduras with their runs to the World Cup, in Panama with their club strength and increasing national team power and with Costa Rica becoming one of the region's giants. It needs to stay on that trend for people to be interested in continental play.
Two other MLS teams will be in action Wednesday and Thursday (FC Dallas and Portland Timbers). What are their chances to advance to the knockout stage?
Dallas goes on the road in Guatemala with a mostly reserve side after picking up a lot of injuries and three days later plays for the Supporters' Shield. Portland has to deal with Costa Rica's most historic club and knows that a draw isn't good enough. I don't feel great about both teams getting through, but I definitely think one and maybe both will be able to pull it off.
