On Monday night, Concacaf conducted its draw for the 2023 Concacaf Champions League, creating potential travel plans for fans of five MLS teams. The tournament, set to begin in March, won't feature defending champion Seattle Sounders FC, but will give MLS the opportunity to defend the league's first title in the history of this iteration of the federation's club competition.
The March 7-9 first legs will be hosted by the Pot 2 teams, and the March 14-16 second legs will hosted by Pot 1 teams — the Pot 1 teams include all three Liga MX teams as well as the MLS quintet.
Newly-crowned MLS champions LAFC — which reached the 2020 tournament finals before falling to Tigres in Orlando in the COVID-impacted competition – will start its 2023 CCL journey against Costa Rican club Alajuelense.
The Philadelphia Union, falling just short of their MLS Cup aspirations but enjoying the fruits of their Eastern Conference title, will face El Salvador's Alianza.
Austin FC, in its first CCL ever following an incredible 2022 season, is slated to play Haitian team Violetta, though it's possible — due to uncertain conditions there – that the match would be played in neighboring Dominican Republic or in some other alternate location.
Orlando City, in the toughest possible matchup for a Pot 1 team, will face Tigres, while Vancouver Whitecaps FC will go up against Honduran club Real España.
The field is rounded out by Liga MX's Leon against Panama's Tauro, Liga MX's Pachuca against Honduran side Motagua, and Liga MX's Atlas against Honduran power Olimpia.