Galaxy, Alajuelense to open CONCACAF Champions League

David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy will open the CONCACAF Champions League on August 16 at home against either Motagua of Honduras or Guatemala’s Municipal while Mexican Clausura champ Pumas will play the following night against FC Dallas or El Salvador’s Alianza FC.

The first two rounds of the Group Stage, released Thursday by CONCACAF, also will feature defending champion Monterrey at either Herediano of Costa Rica or Alpha United of Guyana on August 17, and a matchup between Monterrey and either the Seattle Sounders or San Francisco FC of Panama on August 23.

The Champions League opened its fourth season on Tuesday with the start of the Preliminary Round. The second leg is scheduled for next Tuesday-Thursday with the winners advancing to the Group Stage.

The remainder of the Group Stage will be announced following the conclusion of the Preliminary Round.

Round 1
Tuesday, August 16
Santos Laguna (MEX) vs. Real España (HON), 8 p.m.*
San Francisco (PAN) vs. Comunicaciones (GUA), 8 p.m.***
Los Angeles Galaxy (USA) vs. Motagua (HON) or Municipal (GUA), 10 p.m.
Alajuelense (CRC) vs. Morelia (MEX) or Tempete FC (HAI), 10 p.m.
Seattle Sounders (USA) vs. Comunicaciones (GUA), 10 p.m.***

Wednesday, August 17
Herediano (CRC) or Alpha United (GUY) vs. Monterrey (MEX), 8 p.m.
Pumas UNAM (MEX) vs. FC Dallas (USA) or Alianza FC (SLV), 10 p.m.
Colorado Rapids (USA) vs. Metapan (SLV) or Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR), 10 p.m.
Olimpia (HON) vs. Real España (HON), 10 p.m.*

Thursday, August 18
Tauro (PAN) vs. Toronto FC (CAN) or Real Estelí (NCA), 8 p.m.

Round 2
Tuesday, August 23
Monterrey (MEX) vs. Seattle Sounders (USA) or San Francisco (PAN), 8 p.m.
Real España (HON) vs. Colorado Rapids (USA), 10 p.m.
Comunicaciones (GUA) vs. Herediano (CRC), 10 p.m.

Wednesday, August 24
Toronto FC (CAN) vs. FC Dallas (USA) or Alianza FC (SLV), 8 p.m.**
Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR) or Metapan (SLV) vs. Santos Laguna (MEX) or Olimpia (HON), 8 p.m.
Real Estelí (NCA) vs. FC Dallas (USA) or Alianza FC (SLV), 10 p.m.**

Thursday, August 25
Tauro (PAN) vs. Pumas UNAM (MEX), 8 p.m.
Los Angeles Galaxy (USA) vs. Alajuelense (CRC), 10 p.m.
Morelia (MEX) or Tempete FC (HAI) vs. Motagua (HON) or Municipal (GUA), 10 p.m.

* Pending Santos Laguna-Olimpia Preliminary Round result
** Pending Toronto FC-Real Estelí Preliminary Round result
*** Pending San Francisco-Seattle Preliminary Round result