Able to finish with both feet, he is quick and composed in front of goal.  After an uncertain start he won over Zaragoza fans last year and finished with 6 goals in 17 appearances, as Zaragoza avoided relegation eventually finishing 14th.  Suazo is probably the most dangerous striker in the tournament this year and has genuine quality.  Whether Monterrey risk playing from the start in the early games remains to be seen but if they progress Suazo will play a large role.  Left-sided defender/midfielder Walter Ayovi from Ecuador has been a key member of their squad since his arrival from El Nacional in 2009.  Ayovi often takes up a more central midfield role for Monterrey and tries to dictate the pace of Los Rayados attacks.  He is an excellent passer of the ball and a wise head in midfield.

Saprissa need to lift themselves from a poor start to their domestic campaign.  Last season they only lost once but have already suffered two defeats from four games this time.

Coach Roy Myers admits that this is a period of re-building for Saprissa and it may take some time to get back to their normally high standard.  El monstruo morado may be taking some time to find their feet in the early stages but they remain by far Costa Rica’s most successful team.  Last season’s Champions League campaign was a disaster by their standards as they only achieved 5 out of a possible 18 points and lost at home to a team from the US for the first time in their history.   This time around Saprissa say they aren’t afraid of the Mexican champions, indeed as midfielder Armando Alonso states, their intention is to play well and beat Monterrey.  Saprissa are almost exclusively made up of Costa Rican players, and have a mixture of young talent such as striker Josué Martinez and midfielder Brian Gúzman and seasoned veterans like captain Victor Cordero and Gabriel Badilla after his return from a spell in the MLS with New England Revolution.  Cordero is 36 now and has played for Saprissa all his career, the no-nonsense defender was a member of the 2005 World Club Cup team and his experience will be important to Saprissa.  In midfield another important player is Walter Centeno, he has spent most of his career with Saprissa but spent a year with AEK Athens in Greece.  During this time in Europe he showed he is not overawed by the big occasions by playing and scoring in away against Real Madrid and Roma in the UEFA Champions League.  At the age of 35 he may be past his best but remains a strong player for Saprissa.  He is often the link between Saprissa’s midfield and attack and has a powerful shot from distance.