One month, eight days removed from the 2020 regular season finale, a 2-1 loss to eventual MLS Cup winners Columbus. It was finally over. Time to rebuild. Manager rumors, transfer rumors, trades— the future is brightening. Soon, 2020 will be a distant, faded memory, something to think back on and chuckle as Atlanta United lifts its tenth straight Club World Cup or something.
But wait.
2020 has a parting gift for us, and what else could it be than the soccer tournament that embodies the mentality of the past year more than any other? That’s right, the Concacaf Champions League has returned after what is surely a record long nine month gap between legs of the quarterfinal stage for one last twist of the knife before we leave this year for good.