Idle Galaxy advances to Champions League quarterfinals

The Galaxy advanced to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League without needing to take the field Thursday, winning its group when the Puerto Rico Islanders beat Salvadoran club Metapan, 3-0, in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

The Galaxy, with two wins and a tie in three games, is the only unbeaten team remaining in its three-nation group. That leaves it with seven points with one match left against Metapan in El Salvador next month.

The Galaxy is the third team to secure one of eight spots in next March’s championship round, joining defending CCL champion Monterrey of Mexico and the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer.

The Galaxy made the quarterfinals of the last CCL but was eliminated by Toronto FC. That was the team’s first CCL appearance since 2006, when it also made the quarterfinals.

The Galaxy won the tournament in 2000, when it was known as the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The winner of the Champions League qualifies for the FIFA Club World Cup, which will match the top teams from all six continental confederations.

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