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The New York Red Bulls won’t know if they’re playing in 2019 CONCACAF Champions League until December 8: if Atlanta United wins the 2018 MLS Cup Final, RBNY is in CCL.
But RBNY will know its potential first-round opponent - and the identity of potential future opponents in the tournament - on December 3, because CONCACAF is pushing ahead with the draw for CCL 2019 before qualifying for the competition is technically complete.
The @MLS Cup between @ATLUTD and @TimbersFC will determine the pots for the #SCCL Draw on Monday. Who do you want your team playing against in the first round of the #SCCL2019? #LoveForOurGame pic.twitter.com/lS0NRA5KJK
— Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (@TheChampions) December 1, 2018
So the CCL 2019 will deliver RBNY an opponent and a path to the final, but the Red Bulls won’t know if they’re actually playing in the tournament until December 8.
Just one day left until the draw #LoveForOurGame #SCCL #SCCL2019 pic.twitter.com/RDLxkIL3rx
— Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (@TheChampions) December 2, 2018
The competition is expected to kick off in February.
Per concacaf.com, here’s where to catch the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League draw: