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This week in CONCACAF is headlined by the CONCACAF Champions Cup, as the quarterfinals begin with four first leg matches.
Two of the top six sides in the CONCACAF Club Ranking Index kick things off on Tuesday when Columbus Crew SC and Tigres UANL start their quarterfinal series. The eight-time Liga MX champions are the higher-ranked team, but Crew SC is looking to defend its perfect home record this year. The reigning MLS champions have lost only once in its last eight encounters across all competitions. Tigres arrives on a three-match winning streak, scoring at least three goals in each game.
Also on Tuesday, the New England Revolution will host Club America in the first CCC meeting between the two clubs. The Revs are looking to advance to the semifinals for the first time, while America has never lost a quarterfinal stage in CONCACAF club play. The first leg will occur in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where the Revolution has yet to concede a goal in Champions Cup play.
Lionel Messi looks to return to the field as Inter Miami CF continues its quest to win its first CONCACAF Champions Cup with a first-leg quarterfinal bout against top-ranked Monterrey on Wednesday. The Argentine star hopes to be back on the field for the MLS outfit after missing three league matches. He last appeared in Miami’s 3-1 victory over Nashville in the Round of 16. Monterrey will visit the South Florida side for the first time. Rayados has never been eliminated by an MLS team in five meetings in the knockout stage.
Over in Costa Rica, Club Sport Herediano welcomes former CCC champions Pachuca to wrap up CCC action on Wednesday. This series will feature a first meeting between the two clubs and the first time Herediano faces a Mexican side in the quarterfinals. Pachuca is undefeated in its last five matches against Costa Rican opposition but is winless on Costa Rican soil.
