SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC today learned its 2015-2016 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League (SCCL) opponents following Monday night’s Group Stage draw held in Miami, with the club joining Cascadia rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Honduran side C.D. Olimpia in Group F. This marks the Rave Green’s fourth appearance in the regional tournament that consists of the top club teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Dates, times and broadcast information for all Group Stage matches will be determined at a later date.
Sounders FC qualified for the 2015-2016 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League after an impressive 2014 season in which it captured the Supporters’ Shield and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Seattle previously advanced out of the SCCL Group Stage in both the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 tournaments. In 2012-2013, Sounders FC became the first MLS team to oust a Mexican side from the tournament when it advanced past Tigres UANL in the Quarterfinal Round.
The 2015-2016 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League consists of eight groups of three teams each. Each team plays the other two teams in its group twice – one home and one away – with each group winner advancing to the Knockout Stage.
This marks the first time Sounders FC faces a fellow MLS side, as well as its first Canadian opponent in the tournament. The club has previously faced Honduran side C.D. Marathon in both 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 SCCL Group Stage play.
The Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League is the region’s premier competition for clubs. It was introduced for the 2008-209 season, replacing the Champions Cup, which had decided the Confederation's best team since 1962.
Featuring 24 squads from each of CONCACAF's three sub-regions – North America, Central America and the Caribbean – the SCCL is played in two stages: the Group Stage and Championship Stage. Berths are allocated by country or, in the case of the Caribbean, through a separate qualifying competition.
