Atlanta United drew Costa Rican club Liga Deportiva Alajuelense in the Round of 16 for the 2021 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (SCCL) during the tournament’s official draw Wednesday night.
LD Alajuelense, based in the Alajuela province of Costa Rica, qualified for the tournament after winning the 2020 Concacaf League, where it defeated Deportivo Saprissa 3-2 in the final earlier this month. This marks Alajuelense’s sixth appearance in the tournament where it has a 13W-9L-6D record, reaching the semifinals in 2014 and 2015. Alajuelense is currently first in Costa Rica's Liga FPD Clausura with a 4W-0L-2D record. Alajuelense has won the Costa Rican top-flight 30 times, second only to Saprissa’s 35 titles.
The 2021 SCCL matchups will commence with the Round of 16 between April 6-8 (first leg) and April 13-15 (second leg). As the higher ranked club, Atlanta will host the second leg of the Round of 16. The Round of 16 will be followed by home and away quarterfinal matches in late-April and early-May, semifinals in August and September, and a single leg SCCL final in October.
Full draw Results:
A1: Cruz Azul (MEX)
B1: Arcahaie FC (HAI)
A2: Forge FC or Toronto FC (CAN)
B2: Club Leon (MEX)
A3: CF Monterrey (MEX)
B3: Club Atletico Pantoja (DOM)
A4: Columbus Crew SC (USA)
B4: Real Esteli FC (NCA)
A5: Philadelphia Union (USA)
B5: Deportivo Saprissa (CRC)
A6: Atlanta United (USA)
B6: LD Alajuelense (CRC)
A7: Club América (MEX)
B7: CD Olimpia (HON)
A8: Portland Timbers (USA)
B8: CD Marathon (HON)
For the round of 16, the highest ranked club in each matchup will play the first leg away and the second leg at home.
For the quarterfinals, the Round of 16 winners of matchups 1, 3, 5 and 7 will play the first leg away and the second leg at home.
For the semifinals, the two best performing clubs in the earlier rounds of the competition will play the first leg away and the second leg at home. The single leg final will be hosted by the best performing club of the two finalists in the earlier rounds of the 2021 SCCL (based on wins, draws and, if required, goal difference).
Round of 16: April 6-8 (first leg) and April 13-15 (second leg)
Quarterfinals: April 27-29 (first leg) and May 4-6 (second leg)
Semifinals: August 10-12 (first leg) and September 14-16 (second leg)
Final: October 26-28 (single leg)
Concacaf will announce a complete schedule, including kickoff times and other details in the coming weeks.
