The draw for the 1998 Copa Merconorte has been announced. The competition, which includes MLS clubs D.C. United and the Los Angeles Galaxy as well as clubs from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela, will be played from Sept. 9 to Dec. 9. Here is the draw: Group A — Deportivo Cali (Colombia), Emelec (Ecuador), Sporting Cristal (Peru), Guadalajara (Mexico). Group B — Atletico Nacional (Colombia), Nacional (Ecuador), Universitario (Peru), Club America (Mexico). Group C — D.C. United (USA), Millonarios (Colombia), Alianza Lima (Peru), Barcelona (Ecuador). Group D — Los Angeles Galaxy (USA), The Strongest (Bolivia), Caracas FC (Venezuela), Cruz Azul (Mexico). Each team will play six games (three home-and-home series), with the four group winners advancing to the semifinals. The Copa Merconorte will be played simultaneously with the Copa Mercosur, which features clubs from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.