Previewing the CCL Draw for D.C. United

A couple of weeks ago, we looked at possible teams that D.C. United could draw in the CONCACAF Champions League. We figured we would see how some of the teams in other Leagues have shaken out ahead of the draw for the 2015-16 tournament tomorrow. The rules in Group play are as such that Liga MX teams and Major League Soccer teams can't play one another, along with two teams from the same association. 24 teams, drawn into eight groups of three, from three pots.

D.C. are in Pot B with the Vancouver Whitecaps and Real Salt Lake. Joining them are Herediano (Costa Rica), Motagua (Honduras), Metapan (El Salvador) and Tigres from Liga MX. The runner-up in the Liga MX Clausura (Queretaro or Santos Laguna) will join them. Now, for their possible opponents:

Pot A: The Seattle Sounders, Los Angeles Galaxy, Club America and Clausura winner will be in Pot A and thus D.C. will not draw them. Which leaves us with:

• Saprissa (Costa Rica), Olimpia (Honduras), Communicaciones (Guatemala) and Arabe Unido (Panama), the latter being the last entry into the tournament.

Pot C: Municipal (Guatemala, Carlos Ruiz' current club), Santa Tecla (El Salvador), Walter Ferretti (Nicaragua), Verdes FC (Belize), Montego Bay United (Jamaica), two entries from Trinidad and Tobago (Central, W Connection) and San Francisco F.C.

Obviously the bullet to dodge in Pot A is going to be Saprissa, though Olimpia is no slouch either. Three of the four teams in Pot A that D.C. can draw also appeared in last year's CCL tournament as well, and can certainly deal with the grind if need be.

Pot C is a little different and presumably advantageous. Obviously if D.C. do not get Communicaciones, then they could face Municipal and El Pescadito for old time's sake (related: can we trade for Rico Clark?). Of the 7 teams in Pot C now, four will be making their first appearance in CCL play, and another in Verdes that would be making their first appearance in six years, assuming that Belize can get their field situation happening right.

Either way, tomorrow should be intriguing.