[CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE] The field for the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions League is complete: four teams (once again) from Mexico, the Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake from MLS, Olimpia of Honduras and Saprissa of Costa Rica. The Puerto Rico Islanders' hopes went up in smoke when they fell, 3-0, at Olimpia.
Mexican teams remained perfect as all four entrants advanced to the final eight for the third year in a row, but only Santos and Monterrey won their groups. For the first time, as many as two Mexican teams -- Cruz Azul and Toluca -- had to settle for second in their group.
The Crew (who close out the group stage Thursday at Joe Public) and RSL give MLS two teams in the final eight for the first time, and RSL's first-place finish ahead of Cruz Azul is the first group title for an MLS team.
Olimpia, winner of Group D, gives Honduras a team in the quarterfinals for the third year in a row.
Saprissa, a three-time winner of the old Concacaf Champions Cup, is the first Costa Rica team to survive the group stage in the new Concacaf format.
Play resumes with the quarterfinals Feb. 22-24 and March 1-3.
QUARTERFINAL APPEARANCES (by country):
12 Mexico
4 USA
3 Honduras
1 Canada
1 Costa Rica
1 Guatemala
1 Panama
1 Puerto Rico



Kerry Ogden


