[CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] Seattle Sounders FC and Toronto FC both moved into group stage of the Concacaf Champions League for the first time when they earned ties in tricky second legs at Central American opponents. The series wins assured MLS of at least four teams in the group stage -- its most ever.

Uruguayan World Cup player Alvaro Fernandez rescued the Sounders with a delicate header to earn them a 1-1 tie at Isidro Metapan in a game moved to San Salvador.

Toronto FC tied Motagua of Honduras, 2-2, and won their qualifying series, 3-2, on aggregate.

Toronto got goals from Dwayne De Rosario and Chad Barrett to cancel out a pair of Motagua goals by former TFC star Amado Guevara.

In the first two years, MLS teams went 1-4 in the preliminary round.

The Los Angeles Galaxy has the most difficult task of the three teams in this year's preliminary round.

It must overcome a 4-1 deficit when it plays at the Puerto Rico Islanders on Wednesday.

Concacaf uses the away goals rule as its tiebreaker after regulation -- but not overtime -- meaning that a 3-0 Galaxy win won't be enough.

First Round
Group A
Real Salt Lake (USA)
Arabe Unido (Panama)
Cruz Azul (Mexico)
Toronto FC (Canada)

Group B
Columbus Crew (USA)
Municipal (Guatemala)
Santos (Mexico)/San Juan Jabloteh (T&T) winner
Brujas (Costa Rica)/Joe Public (T&T) winner

Group C
Monterrey (Mexico)
Saprissa (Costa Rica)
Seattle Sounders (USA)
Marathon (Honduras)/Tauro (Panama) winner

Group D
Toluca (Mexico)
Olimpia (Honduras)
LA Galaxy (USA)/Puerto Rico Islanders winner
FAS (El Salvador)/Xelaju (Guatemala) winner