Action from a Liga MX Apertura final, first-leg match between host Tigres (left) and Monterrey on December 7, 2017, in San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico. (Photo: Mexsport)
CONCACAF.com provides an offering of storylines for you to follow during domestic league action this weekend:
CANADA
Toronto FC will attempt to win its first MLS Cup title, when it hosts Seattle Sounders FC in the final on Saturday at BMO Field. It is a rematch of last year’s decider, when Seattle prevailed 5-4 on penalty kicks after a scoreless draw. The Reds are unbeaten in 17 of 19 MLS home games this season.
COSTA RICA
The fourth round of 2017 Invierno Quadrangular play takes place this weekend:
Saturday
Herediano (1-0-2, 3) v Santos de Guapiles (0-1-2, 1)
Sunday
Perez Zeledon (2-0-1, 6) v Saprissa (2-1-0, 7)
EL SALVADOR
Playoff action will resume next week with semifinal, second-leg games:
Wednesday
2 Santa Tecla v 3 Isidro Metapan (agg: 0-1)
1 Alianza v FAS (agg: 1-1)
HONDURAS
The second leg of the playoff for a semifinal berth between Olimpia and UPNFM will take place Saturday. Wednesday’s first leg ended in a 2-2 draw, but Olimpia will advance with as little as another stalemate thanks to owning a better regular-season record.
Marathon, Motagua and Real Espana have already secured spots in the final four.
JAMAICA
First-place Arnett Gardens (7-6-0, 27) will visit sixth-place Cavalier (4-6-3, 18) on Sunday. Portmore United (7-4-2, 25) can jump from second to first with a win over 11th-place Sandals South Coast (2-3-8, 9) and an Arnett Gardens loss.
MEXICO
The Liga MX Apertura final, second leg is scheduled for Sunday. In Thursday’s series opener, Enner Valencia’s 26th-minute penalty kick gave Tigres a 1-1 draw with visiting Monterrey, which took a 1-0 lead on Nicolas Sanchez (9’) strike.
USA
Seattle Sounders FC will look to defend its MLS Cup title on Saturday, when it visits Toronto FC in the 2017 final. The same sides met in last year’s decider, which saw Seattle prevail 5-4 on penalty kicks, following a 0-0 draw. Sounders FC have only one win in its last six away games (1-3-2).
