Below is the schedule and draw for the quarterfinals (and rest of the tournament) for the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League. The winner of this competition will go to the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup in December.

2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League Draw

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Finals

Toluca

Monterrey

Cruz Azul

Santos Laguna

Columbus Crew

Real Salt Lake

Saprissa

Olimpia

2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League Schedule

First Leg

2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinals Draw/Schedule - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are my predictions for the upcoming 2nd leg matches in the MLS 2010 Playoff Conference Semifinals.

MLS 2010 Playoff Conference Semifinals 2nd Leg Predictions

Thursday, November 4, 2010

New York Red Bulls v San Jose Earthquakes (1-0 after first leg) – NY wins 1-0 (2-0 on aggregate)

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Real Salt Lake v FC Dallas (1-2 after first leg) – RSL wins 3-1 (4-3 on aggregate)

Columbus Crew v Colorado Rapids (0-1 after first leg) – 1-1 Draw (Colorado advances 2-1 on aggregate)

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Los Angeles Galaxy v Seattle Sounders FC (1-0 after first leg) – 1-1 Draw (2-1 on aggregate)

Major League Soccer 2010 Conference Semifinals 2nd Leg Predictions - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

The MLS 2010 Playoffs are about to start with the first leg of the conference semifinals this upcoming weekend (along with a match on Thursday). So, what will happen in the first legs of all the matches. Below are my predictions and feel free to share your own with a comment.

MLS 2010 Playoff Conference Semifinals 1st Leg Predictions

Major League Soccer 2010 Playoff Conference Semifinals 1st Leg Predictions - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

The Sounders look to repeat as US Open Cup champions as they host Columbus in the final. The match will take place at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington on Tuesday, October 5, 2010. Kickoff is scheduled for 22:00 EST or 7 PM local time in Seattle.

Seattle Sounders FC v Columbus Crew TV Listings

It will be televised on Fox Soccer Channel in the United States.

Seattle Sounders FC v Columbus Crew Preview

Seattle won the tournament last year and are looking to retain the title on Tuesday evening. The Sounders have a clear advantage with the match being at Qwest Field which is one of the top home crowds in MLS.

Columbus has won the Cup before and once again is in the running for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. They are a balanced side that has shown an ability to be strong in MLS, this competition, and the CONCACAF Champions League.

The home field advantage and recent great form of Seattle gives them a clear advantage in this match. Blaise Nkufo and Fredy Montero make up a dangerous attacking force combined with experienced goalkeeper Kasey Keller. Columbus should make it a close match but in the end the Sounders should retain the trophy.

Seattle manager Sigi Schmid

“[Columbus are] a proud team and that score is going to [tick] them off,” Sounders manager Sigi Schmid said after training on Monday. “They’re a team that is going to want to come out and say that [the 4-0 result] is not a reflection of [their] abilities — and it isn’t. They’re too good a team.”

Seattle player Fredy Montero

“It was a lopsided result (4-0 win by Seattle in MLS), but it wasn’t what the game was,” Seattle star Fredy Montero told MLSsoccer.com on Monday. “We absorbed their attack and when we had the opportunities, we converted. It wasn’t that one team was that much better than the other. We defended and attacked when we had to.”

“We’ve had issues scoring penalties in MLS games for some reason, but we had no problems in Portland [US Open Cup Round of 16],” Schmid said. “There are different reasons for maybe why a guy steps up or doesn’t step up at the end of a game, but it’s a decision I make with five minutes to go [in overtime].”

Columbus goalkeeper Will Hesmer

“We know it’s going to be loud and a tough place to play (at Qwest Field), But it’s a chance to win a championship. That’s why we play these games.”

Seattle Sounders FC v Columbus Crew Prediction

Sounders wins 2-1

Seattle Sounders FC v Columbus Crew Betting Odds

Seattle win – 11/10

Draw – 11/5

Columbus win – 2/1

Seattle Sounders FC v Columbus Crew Live Online

The match can be seen at Free Live Sports TV.

Seattle Sounders FC v Columbus Crew Preview, Prediction, TV Listings, and Betting Odds - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

The top two teams in the Eastern Conference met on Thursday, May 20, 2010 as the New York Red Bulls hosted the Columbus Crew. The Red Bulls have started out in several wins but struggling as late while the Crew are one of two unbeaten teams in MLS. The Crew were without Guillermo Barros Schelotto who was serving a one match suspension.

New York Red Bulls 1-3 Columbus Crew – Video Highlights

Despite not having two of their top players (Schelotto and Robbie Rogers), Columbus got a win at NY to move into first place in the Eastern Conference.

Columbus would take a 2-0 lead by halftime with a 35th minute goal from Eddie Gaven and a 39th minute goal from Andy Iro. New York continues to struggle offensively but would make it interesting with a 81st minute goal from Tony Tchiani.

The visitors would reply two minutes later with a 83rd minute goal from Edgar Renteria to clinch the three points. The loss is the Red Bulls second in a row. Columbus now leads the Eastern Conference with 17 points.

Scoring Summary:
CLB — Eddie Gaven 2 (Frankie Hejduk 2) 35

CLB — Andy Iro 2 (Eddie Gaven 2) 39

NY — Tony Tchani 1 (Carlos Mendes 1) 81

CLB — Emilio Renteria 1 (unassisted) 83

Columbus Crew — William Hesmer, Frankie Hejduk, Eric Brunner, Andy Iro,Danny O’Rourke, Eddie Gaven, Brian Carroll, Adam Moffat (Jed Zayner 57),Emmanuel Ekpo (Emilio Renteria 68), Steven Lenhart, Jason Garey (Duncan Oughton 89).

New York Red Bulls — Bouna Coundoul, Chris Albright (Carlos Mendes 71), Mike Petke, Tim Ream, Danleigh Borman, Jeremy Hall (John Wolyniec 68), Sinisa Ubiparipovic (Tony Tchani 65), Roy Miller, Seth Stammler, Dane Richards, Juan Pablo Angel.

Misconduct Summary:

CLB — Adam Moffat (caution; Tactical Foul) 52

CLB — Andy Iro (caution; Reckless Tackle) 60

NY — Seth Stammler (caution; Reckless Foul) 75

NY — Tim Ream (caution; Tactical Foul) 85

Referee: Baldomero Toledo

Referee’s Assistants: C.J. Morgante; Peter Manikowski

4th Official: Jorge Gonzalez

Attendance: 11,940

Time of Game: 1:52

Weather: Clear-and-80-degrees

New York Red Bulls 1-3 Columbus Crew – Video Highlights and Recap – MLS – 20 May 2010 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

The top two teams in the Eastern Conference face off as the New York Red Bulls host the Columbus Crew. The match will take place at Red Bull Arena Harrison, New Jersey on Thursday, May 20, 2010. Kickoff is scheduled for 20:00 EST (8 PM local time in Columbus and New York) or 17:00 PST (West Coast).

It will be televised on ESPN 2 in the United States, GolTV in Canada, and on Sky Sport 1 in Italy. You can also find the match at the link on the bottom of this post.

New York Red Bulls v Columbus Crew Preview

The Red Bulls started the season in fantastic form but have lost their last three matches. Columbus remains unbeaten on the season and have conceded the lowest amount of goals in the Eastern Conference. A win for Columbus would put them on top of the standings and be their third victory in a row.

The Crew have been very strong to start the season and led by the playmaking ability of veteran Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The Argentine continues to be one of the to players in the league and has four goals this season. Unfortunately for Columbus, Schelotto is suspended for Thursday’s match due to an elbow to face of Chivas USA defender Michael Umana in last weekend’s match. Without Schelotto and Robbie Rogers (with National Team), the Crew will need other players to step up and provide some offense.

New York has won several close matches but are struggling to score goals. They have a top striker in Juan Pablo Angel up top but have several other players out with injuries. The one positive thing for NY this season and the main reason they are leading the Eastern Conference is their improved defense. If they are to make the playoffs, they will need to start scoring more goals.

The Red Bulls have been strong at the new Red Bull Arena and will be facing a Crew team not at full strength. This combined with the home crowd (they are averaging much better attendance this season) should be enough for NY to get a narrow win.

Injury News

New York - OUT: MF Giorgi Chirgadze (hip surgery); DF Kevin Goldthwaite (adductor surgery recovery); FW Macoumba Kandji (R foot broken fifth metatarsal); MF Austin da Luz (L foot Jones fracture); MF Carl Robinson (R knee swelling); FW Salou Ibrahim (R hamstring strain); QUESTIONABLE: MF Brian Nielsen (R knee pain); MF Joel Lindpere (groin strain)

Columbus - OUT: MF Kevin Burns (athletic pubalgia); DOUBTFUL: GK William Hesmer (lower back strain)

New York Red Bulls v Columbus Crew Prediction

New York Red Bulls v Columbus Crew Preview, Prediction, and TV Listings - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Two of the top teams from last season’s MLS season met on Saturday night as the Seattle Sounders FC hosted the Columbus Crew. The Sounders would have over 36,000 in attendance and have the highest home attendance this season. Columbus have been one of the top teams in the last few seasons and are facing former coach Sigi Schmid, who left the team to join the Sounders.

Seattle Sounders FC 1-1 Columbus Crew – Video Highlights

Seattle would take an early lead but ultimately couldn’t onto it as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

The opening goal for the Sounders came in the third minute as Steve Zakuani received a pass from Ljungberg while making a run behind the Columbus defense. He received the pass and then beat the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

The lead wouldn’t last as Columbus found the equalizer in the 45th minute with a Steven Lenhart goal. It was a header from a cross in the first minute of stoppage time and would make it 1-1.

Both teams would get chances in the second half but neither would score. The Sounders did get an advantage late as Danny O’Rourke was given a red card for a second yellow in the 85th minute. Fredy Montero would have a few chances late including a shot that just missed the upper corner and an apparent goal in stoppage time that was ruled off because of a foul.

Seattle Sounders FC 1-1 Columbus Crew – Video Highlights and Recap – MLS – 1 May 2010 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

The Columbus Crew began the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals with the first leg at Crew Stadium on Tuesday, March 9, 2010. Columbus are the only Major League Soccer team in the quarterfinals while Toluca is one of four Mexican Primera Division teams left in the competition. The match was the first for Columbus since the fall of 2009 while Toluca is in the middle of their domestic league season.

Columbus Crew 2-2 Toluca – Video Highlights

It was an even match between the two sides the will head back to Mexico tied at 2-2.

Toluca would score two first half goals to take a 2-0 lead into halftime. The goals were from Naelson in the 19th minute and Rios in the 45th minute. Columbus fought back in the second half and had two goals from Lenhart to get a draw out of the match.

The Crew were playing without two of their stars, Schelotto and Hejduk who were suspended due to too many yellow cards. The quarterfinal two legged tie will now head to Mexico next week to determine who will advance to the semifinals. Toluca will be in the driver’s seat as MLS teams have struggled in the Champions League on Mexican soil.

GENERAL GAME STATS

Columbus Crew 2-2 Toluca – Recap and Video Highlights – CONCACAF Champions League – Tuesday, March 9, 2010 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

The Columbus Crew will look to get a lead in the first leg at home against Mexican Primera Division side Toluca on Tuesday, March 9, 2010. The Crew are the lone MLS side to reach the quarterfinals while Toluca is one of four Mexican teams to reach the stage. Toluca will be favored in the two-legged tie as they are in mid-season form while the Crew are in pre-season form. A first leg win is needed if Columbus is to have any realistic chance of advancing to the semifinals.

Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 EST or 8:00 PM local time in Columbus, Ohio. The match will be shown on television on Fox Soccer Channel & Galavision in the United States, and on ESPN in Mexico & Central America.

Columbus Crew v Toluca Preview

The Crew will be playing their first competitive match in months while Toluca is in the middle of their season. Toluca qualified for the quarterfinals by winning Group B while the Crew were second in Group C.

Columbus will be without several key players as including Chad Marshall, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, and Frankie Hejduk. Marshall is out with a hamstring injury picked up during pre-season while Schelotto and Hejduk are serving one-game suspensions for yellow cards.

Toluca does not have any players out for suspension and have two of their last three league matches. They are also undefeated in their last four matches in the Clausura. A good result is a must for Columbus as MLS teams have struggled in Mexico in the Champions League. No MLS team has won at Mexico in the competition and only a few have earned draws.

Columbus Crew v Toluca Prediction

The match will end in a 1-1 draw.

Watch Columbus Crew v Toluca Online For Free

You can watch the Columbus Crew take on Toluca live and online for free on Free Live Sports TV at the link here.

Columbus Crew v Toluca Preview, Prediction, and TV Listings - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

The CONCACAF 2009-10 Champions League Quarterfinals Draw was released recently. The quarterfinals are set to begin in March, with the semifinals in late March, early April, and the final in late April. Here’s the full schedule. A video of the draw can be seen here.

QUARTERFINALS
First Leg – March 9-11
Second Leg – March 16-18
QF1: *Comunicaciones vs. Pachuca
QF2: *Columbus vs. Toluca
QF3: *Marathon vs. Pumas
QF4 :*Arabe Unido vs. Cruz Azul

SEMIFINALS
First Leg – March 30-April 1
Second Leg – April 6-8
SF1: *QF3 winner (Marathon-Pumas) vs. QF4 winner (Arabe Unido-Cruz Azul)
SF2: *QF2 winner (Columbus-Toluca) vs. QF1 winner (Comunicaciones-Pachuca)

FINALS
First Leg – April 20-22
Second Leg – April 27-29
*SF1 winner vs. SF2 winner

*First leg at home

CONCACAF 2009-10 Champions League Quarterfinals Draw Released - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog