The Crew will play the final group stage game of the CONCACAF Champions League tonight at the Puerto Rico Islanders, a minor-league team in its sixth season.

A mismatch to be taken lightly? Hardly.

Tonight's game carries heavier weight with the defending Major League Soccer champion than did its loss to rival D.C. United on Saturday.

If the Crew won in Washington it would have left town with the MLS Supporters' Shield trophy. It instead departed for San Juan with its eyes on a comparable prize: A win or a tie tonight would clinch second place in Group C and a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals.

"Absolutely," said Crew coach Robert Warzycha said. "It's a very important game for the guys and the club."

It's tricky business for Warzycha and his players to rank what is most important for the Crew in a season enhanced by participation in the Champions League, the club championship of the North and Central American and Caribbean region.

Motivation has ebbed and flowed during a March-November season that included games in MLS, the Champions League and the U.S. Open Cup tournament, but Warzycha made things simple this summer.

"We want to win everything," he said before the group stage began.

The winner of the Champions League gets a chance to take on some of the world's superpowers (think Manchester United or Boca Juniors) at the Club World Cup next December.

A spot in the quarterfinals and beyond would be a prestige builder for the Crew and MLS in a region dominated by Mexican teams.

Puerto Rico was a surprise semifinalist last year but is in last place in Group C with no chance of advancing.

The Crew (2-2-1, seven points) beat the Islanders 2-0 in the opener in Columbus.

Puerto Rico (0-3-2, two points) tied Champions League home games against Cruz Azul of Mexico (4-0-1, 13 points) and Saprissa of Costa Rica (1-2-2, five points).

If Cruz Azul wins or ties at Saprissa in a later game tonight, the Crew will advance regardless of what it does in Puerto Rico.

The Crew won't count on the help.

"I hope people aren't looking forward to the (MLS) playoffs," defender Danny O'Rourke said.

"We can't be done. We can't be happy."

smitchell@dispatch.com