The 16-team Copa Merconorte features club teams from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and the United States. The Kansas City Wizards and the MetroStars are the two teams from Major League Soccer representing the United States.
The 16 teams are divided into four groups of four teams each, with each team playing the other three teams in its group twice — once at home, once on the road. The winner of each group advances to the semifinal round, where matchups are also contested in a two-game, home-and-away format, and the two winners advance to the final round, which follows the same two-game, home/road format.
Tournament began in August and will continue until a champion is crowned in December.
Other teams participating, in addition to the four clubs in Group B and the Kansas City Wizards, are Blooming (Bolivia); America de Cali and Atletico Nacional (Colombia); Aucas Emelec and Barcelona (Ecuador); Alianza Lima, Universitario and Sporting Cristal (Peru); and Santos and Necaxa of Mexico.
"This is a great honor and opportunity for the MetroStars," said the general manager Nick Sakiewicz. "We are greatly looking forward to competing for the first time in this prestigious event against some of the best teams in the world."
MetroStars First Round Schedule
(Home team listed first)
Game times 8 p.m. ET unless otherwise noted
Wednesday, Oct. 17 METROSTARS vs. Chivas (Giants Stadium)
Wednesday, Oct. 24 Deportivo Italchacao vs. METROSTARS
Wednesday, Oct. 31 METROSTARS vs. Millonarios (Giants Stadium)
Wednesday, Nov. 21 Chivas vs. METROSTARS
www.metrostars.com