NEW YORK - Two-time quarterfinalist Marathon will return to the CONCACAF Champions League for a third straight year next season, clinching at least a Preliminary Round berth with a 2-0 victory over Olimpia to win the Honduran Apertura title.

Pando Ramirez scored in the fifth minute and Jerry Palacios added a second-half goal for Marathon, whose victory Wednesday night overturned a first-leg deficit for a 2-1 aggregate triumph and gave the club its eight domestic title and third straight Apertura crown.

Marathon, which lost to the Puerto Rico Islanders in the quarterfinals of the Champions League last season, has been drawn to face Pumas of Mexico in March.

It is guaranteed at least a berth in the Preliminary Round, but could garner a place in the Group Stage if it wins the Clausura crown or finishes both seasons with the best overall record.

Marathon becomes the fifth team to clinch a place in the 2010-2011 Champions League, joining fellow quarterfinalist the Columbus Crew and fellow U.S. clubs Real Salt Lake, the MLS Cup champion, the Seattle Sounders and Los Angeles Galaxy.