League

Sporting battling Champions League royalty in Monterrey

And then there was one MLS club left in Concacaf Champions League.


Five entered the CCL Round of 16 and now, on the precipice of the semifinals this week, just Sporting Kansas City remain. They face Liga MX heavyweight CF Monterrey on Thursday (10 pm ET | Univision, YahooSports.com). 


Here's what you need to know about SKC's opponent:


Monterrey vs. MLS in CCL


Three-time champions of the Concacaf Champions League, Monterrey are no strangers to MLS opponents at this level.


  • 2010/11 group stage: Seattle Sounders 0-2 Monterrey
  • 2010/11 group stage: Monterrey 3-0 Seattle Sounders
  • 2010/11 final (aggregate): Monterrey 3-2 Real Salt Lake
  • 2011/12 group stage: Monterrey 0-1 Seattle Sounders
  • 2011/12 group stage: Seattle Sounders 1-2 Monterrey
  • 2012/13 semifinals (aggregate): Monterrey 3-1 LA Galaxy
  • 2019 quarterfinals (aggregate): Monterrey 3-1 Atlanta United


How have Monterrey fared in Liga MX this season?


Monterrey are currently third place in Liga MX's Clausura, only suffering their first league defeat of 2019 in mid-March. They finished 5th in the Apertura table and were eliminated in the semifinals by Cruz Azul. 


Top players


Rayados are led by a high-flying Argentinian attackers Rogelio Funes Mori and Maxi Meza, with the former sitting on eight goals in the 11 appearances this Clausura campaign. Dorlan Pabon and Rodolfo Pizarro add to a deep attack.


The club also feature longtime Mexican international Miguel Layun, Nicolas Sanchez, and former US youth international Jonathan Gonzalez, though Gonzalez has started just three Clausura matches.