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Clubs in Major League Soccer will make their runs. They will occasionally flip the script. They will continue to improve and are likely closing the gap on Liga MX teams. They will benefit from the recent infusion of allocating money handed down by the league.

They're on the right track, ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman says.

But the realities of qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions League knockout stages are always going to be working against MLS clubs. On the eve of each spring, MLS franchises will continue to bump into Liga MX sides nearly two months into their new season. While clubs are in Arizona or Florida or training at their own complexes doing the best to knock the rust clean off, Liga MX clubs are coming off intense rivalry matches. (See Club America's wild 3-3 draw with Cruz Azul).

The timing is one issue. Twellman sees another as the main hinderance.

"I'm not saying MLS can't win," he said. "It's an open market for every team in the tournament other than Major League Soccer teams."

Meaning: Liga MX clubs and others in North America are free to spend as much as they want on player transfers and salaries. In February, some MLS clubs are still piecing together their roster for the ensuing eight-month regular season in a salary-cap format.

"Your expectations have to be realistic when you look at it and you say, 'Well now they've got to go beat Tigres,' that arguably has how many internationals on that team, how many starters on other Liga MX teams? It's just a depth issue," Twellman continued. "Then you throw the [Champions League] schedule on top of it, it's a big pickle. No doubt about it."

According to MLSSoccer.com, since 1998 MLS clubs are 2-32-8 in continental tournaments in Mexico. Of the last 14 meetings between MLS and Liga MX in the Champions League knockout stages, Mexican clubs have won 12.

Juggling schedules with leagues across varying countries is part of the territory. Case in point: Tigres made their run to the Copa Libertadores final a year ago before falling to Argentine powerhouse River Plate. Tigres, just like RSL now, was coming off its preseason needing to face one of the most storied teams in South America.

CONCACAF Champions League remains the league's final frontier. As for when a club can stop the Liga MX domination? Well, Tuesday night starts the four head-to-head match-ups.

"It should be the goal of Major League Soccer," he said. "I don't care about chasing Europe. I think you need to look at Liga MX and say, 'We need to be better than Liga MX.' I think this tournament is going to push the envelope, which is good."

RSL not losing sight of Sóbis

André-Pierre Gignac garners the headlines. Ditto for wingers Jürgen Damm and Javier Aquino. Yet one name pops up when scouting reports on Tigres are asked: Brazilian Rafael Sóbis. The 30-year-old moved to Tigres in Jan. 2015 after three seasons at Brazilian club Fluminense and has flourished as a deep-lying, often times roaming forward behind Gignac.

"Sóbis doesn't get the credit he deserves," said ESPNFC columnist Tom Marshall. "He opens up a lot of space for others."

RSL coach Jeff Cassar said much of the same.

"Even more dangerous [than Gignac] is the partnership he has with Sóbis, who plays just underneath him," Cassar explained. "They have a very good partnership, very good chemistry. If you really zero in on one, the other will make you pay. It's going to be extremely important that our entire back line is working together to make sure there's good cover and balance."

In 2015, Sóbis had 11 goals in his first full season with Tigres.

Will 'Tuca' Ferretti tinker in Leg 1?

Despite their stocked roster and premier talent, Tigres haven't dominated Liga MX after their title-winning Apertura season. In the last two weeks, they've lost 2-1 at home to Tijuana and tied with Querétaro FC 2-2 on the road. At 3-2-2 in league play, Tigres currently sits fifth in the standings.

Manager Ricardo 'Tuca' Ferretti put out a first-team lineup Friday night, which could be a hint to who starts Wednesday night against RSL. Or maybe not. Tigres has to manage the two-leg series with RSL, with a match against Club America (currently fourth in the standings) sandwiched between this Saturday. After the second leg at Rio Tinto Stadium on March 2, Tigres faces rival Monterrey (owner of the top spot in the standings) on the road.

Marshall said Ferretti has always placed emphasis on league play over various continental tournaments, but said he'd be surprised if Tigres didn't field its ideal starting XI vs. RSL Wednesday.

"I think there's pressure that comes from the [Liga MX] institution: They want to get the [Tigres] name out, they know they've got such a good team and they want to advance," Marshall said. "While there is an outside possibility of Ferretti kind of switching it up in the first leg, I don't think he will. I don't think it makes sense for him to do it."

Aquino ruled out of Leg 1

News broke Tuesday morning that Javier Aqunio will miss the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals against RSL due to a bout of tendinitis. The 26-year-old winger scored Friday in Tigres' 2-2 draw.

Easy to say, a big early break for RSL.

-Chris Kamrani

Twitter: @chriskamrani