D.C. United to face Alajuelense in the knockout stage of the Concacaf Champions League

Last night we found out that D.C. United had clinched the number one seed in the knockout rounds of the Concacaf Champions League. However, we also found out the identity of their first round opponent. With six points, Alajuelense of Costa Rica are guaranteed to be the group winner with the least amount of points, and therefore D.C. United's next opponent. Alajuelense got there by drawing the defending champions, Cruz Azul, twice and by beating Chorillo only once.

Alajuelense are currently in first place in the Costa Rican league, with three games in hand over second place Universidad de Costa Rica. An away date in Costa Rica, likely in February 2015, will always be difficult, but that is probably a better situation than having to go to Mexico, which was possible up until the very end. Also, D.C. United fans should be rooting for Sporting Kansas City to win tonight, as doing so would give them an easier path to the final. If SKC wins tonight, it will give them 10 points and push Pachuca down to sixth; it would also mean that both them and Club America could only meet D.C. United in the final of the tournament.

We will have more detailed scouting on Alajuelense in the coming months, but how do you feel initially about this matchup?