Cruz Azul outlasts Puerto Rico on penalties to reach CONCACAF Champions League finals
cruz azul 3 - puerto rico 1
4-2 cruz azul on penalties
4/7/2009 - MEXICO CITY – Cesar Villaluz scored nine minutes into injury time to secure a 3-1 victory for Cruz Azul, which prevailed on penalties over the Puerto Rico Islanders on Tuesday to reach the finals of the CONCACAF Champions League in a bid for a sixth title.
Javier Orozco scored a tournament leading a seventh goal in the 84th minute and converted the clinching penalty to help the Cementeros to a 4-2 victory in the shootout, after the two finished tied on aggregate 3-3.
Cruz Azul, which played with 10 men for the final 59 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of extra time, lost the first leg 2-0 three weeks ago. But it equalized on the goal by Orozco, who volleyed a cross from 13 meters to force the extra periods.
Atlante advance to the concacaf chapions league finals with a win over santos
Santos Laguna 1 - Atlante 3
4/8/2009 - CANCUN, Mexico – Rafael Marquez Lugo converted a penalty in the fourth minute of injury time to give Atlante a 3-1 victory over Santos Laguna on Wednesday and send the Potros de Hierro to the CONCACAF Champions League finals.
It was Marquez Lugo’s second goal of the game and third of the tournament, earning Atlante a 4-3 aggregate victory and its first appearance in the final of the confederation championship since 1994 when the club lost to Costa Rican side Cartagines.
Atlante finished with nine men and Santos 10 after a late-game melee resulted in the ejections of Juan Pablo Rodriguez of Santos and Giancarlo Maldonado and Miguel Martinez of Atlante.
Puerto Rico takes stunning 2 - 0 aggregate lead over Cruz Azul of mexico
BAYAMON, Puerto Rico –Goals by Sandy Gbandi and Nicholas Addlery shot the Puerto Rico Islanders to a shocking 2 - 0 aggregate lead over five time Mexican league champions Cruz Azul on Tuesday.
The USL first division franchise is the only non-Mexican club to have made it to the semi final stages of the inaugural CONCACAF Champions League, this marks the first time in its six year history that the Islanders have progressed this far in this and the former Champions Cup competition.
Addlery, a 27-year-old Jamaican forward who has played with D.C. United (MLS) and the Vancouver Whitecaps (USL), was acquired by Puerto Rico in February from the Whitecaps and he has made an instant impact scoring in his last two games and found the net in the late goings of the first half against a stunned Cruz Azul.
Sandy Gbandi opened the scoring early (4th miinute) and assisted on the 2nd goal with a free kick cross into the penalty area finding Addlery.
The next leg sees Puerto Rico travel to Estadio Azul in Mexico City to face Cruz Azul once again on April 7 2009.
© 2009 StartingEleven Magazine and startingeleven.ca
Santos eliminate the Impact from the CONCACAF Champions league
Santos Laguna 5 - Montreal Impact 2
TORREON, Mexico – Carlos Darwin Quintero scored twice in second-half injury time and rallied Santos Laguna to a 5-2 victory over the Montreal Impact on Thursday, sending it to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League.
After falling behind 2-1 in the first half, which put it behind 4-1 on aggregate and on the away goals tiebreaker, Santos scored four times in the second half. Walter Jimenez was involved in all four, including Quintero’s goals in the third and fourth minutes of injury time to give Santos a 5-4 aggregate victory.
The dramatic comeback gave Mexico three of the four semifinalists, with Santos joining Atlante and Cruz Azul. Santos will face Atlante in the two-leg semifinals March 17-19 and April 7-9. The Puerto Rico Islanders won 1-0 at CD Marathon of Honduras on Wednesday to claim its semifinal berth and will face Cruz Azul.
Dynamo, Pumas, and C.D.Marathon eliminated
from the CONCACAF Champions league
Dynamo Midfielder Stuart Holden yells at the referee after being fouled late in the second half of their first leg draw against Atlante in Houston.
Atlante 3 - Houston 0
CANCUN, Mexico – Fernando Navarro and Rafael Marquez Lugo both scored first-half goals and Atlante became the first team to advance to the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals with a 3-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Tuesday night.
The victory sent Atlante into the final four with a 4-1 aggregate score and eliminated the last team from Major League Soccer, extending the streak of the clubs from the U.S. league of never having won a competitive game in Mexico.
Atlante will face the winner of the quarterfinal series between the Montreal Impact and Santos Laguna. Montreal won the first leg 2-0 with the return match set for Thursday in Torreon, Mexico.
The victory was Atlante’s first in seven matches and the first time it had scored more than one goal in a game since a 2-0 win over Morelia on January 24. It was playing for the sixth time in 17 days, yet created chances from the start, putting a shot wide 37 seconds after the opening kickoff. The win also avenged Atlante's 4-0 loss in Houston to the Dynamo in last year's SuperLiga.
Cruz Azul 1 - PUMAS UNAM 0
MEXICO CITY – Cristian Riveros scored his second goal of the Champions League in the 86th minute and Cruz Azul prevailed 1-0 over cross-town rival Pumas UNAM on Wednesday to reach the semifinals of the CONCACAF club championship.
Los Cementeros extended its unbeaten streak against Pumas to eight games, advancing on 2-0 aggregate.
Cruz Azul, which is in third place just ahead of Pumas in Group 2 in the Mexican Apertura on goal difference, has not lost to UNAM since September 2006, outscoring its Mexico City rival 12-3.
It will face the Puerto Rico Islanders of the United Soccer Leagues’ First Division, the second tier of North American pro soccer, in the semifinals March 17-19 and April 7-9. Earlier Wednesday, the Islanders beat CD Marathon on Honduras 1-0 to advance on 3-1 aggregate.
Puerto Rico 1 - CD Marathon 0
SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras – Nicholas Addlery scored on a counter-attack 15 seconds into second-half injury time and the Puerto Rico Islanders beat CD Marathon 1-0 on Wednesday to advance to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League.
Addlery, who had the first of two goals which rallied Puerto Rico to a 2-1 win in the first leg a week ago, drove a right-footed shot from the top of the penalty area to cap a 3-1 aggregate victory and send the Islanders to face Cruz Azul March 24-26 and April 7-9. Los Cementeros advanced later Wednesday with a 1-0 victory over Mexico City rival Pumas UNAM.
The Islanders, which play in the United Soccer Leagues’ First Division – the second tier of the North American professional game, were withstanding repeated offensive thrusts from Marathon when Addlery scored to ensure Puerto Rico's place in the final four.
Puerto Rico rallies to come back
against CD Marathon 2 - 1
BAYAMON, PR – The Puerto Rico Islanders overcame a rusty start action to rally from a deficit in the second half for a 2-1 CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal victory over CD Marathon Thursday evening. Goals from newcomer Nicholas Addlery and second-half sub Kendall Jagdeosingh handed the in-season league leaders (4-1-3) from Honduras just their second defeat of the tournament as well as for the year.
Facing a daunting task of having to travel to Honduras for the second leg next week trailing, the late heroics seen the earlier stages of the tournament came to fore once again.
A quick free kick in the 73rd found the Marathon defense flat-footed as Delgado got behind his marker on the left flank, allowing him send the ball inside the area, but Addlery’s header went just wide of the post.
Addlery made up for the miss just a minute later, however, to level terms. A crafty chip lofted into the box by 2008 league assist leader Steele found the former member of the 2008 champion Vancouver Whitecaps charging into the area. Addlery's glancing header caught Obelar coming off his line, dropping into the open net from 12 yards out.
The goal combined with the energy of second half sub Jagdeosingh, who was making excellent challenges in the offensive end, to push the Islanders into a second wind to finish out the match and score an all-important second tally for the advantage hitting the road.
A stunning brilliant shot from a narrow angle on the left flank by Jagdeosingh sent the crowd into a frenzy in the 81st minute. Gathering the ball all alone in the left corner he slowly worked his way just inside the left side of the area and snapped a quick rocket that took a slight glance off Palacios as it rose into the far back netting of the goal past a stunned Obelar, who was not quick enough getting his hands up.
It was only the second loss of the tournament for Marathon, who fell 2-1 on the road to Costa Rica’s Deportivo Saprissa during group play, which included a win and draw against Mexico’s Cruz Azul, 1-0 winners in the first leg of their Quarterfinal series.
Coupled with Montreal’s 2-0 victory over Mexico’s Santos Laguna Wednesday, the Islanders (4-2-3) and Impact (5-1-3) have an impressive combined record of 9-3-6 in the competition.
Cruz Azul forward Rogelio Chavez vs Monterrey
in January 2008
Cruz Azul wins first leg of quarter final against Pumas 1- 0
MEXICO CITY -- A free kick goal from Jaime Lozano in the fifth minute placed Cruz Azul in the lead early against Pumas 1-0 on Wednesday night in their first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.
Los Cementeros' held on throughout the match, after Lozano struck a left-footed shot from 35 yards top left corner, past diving goalkeeper Odin Patino.
With a more sustained attack and the bulk of possession coming from Pumas, Cruz Azul shut the door defensively and credit goes to a good showing by goalkeeper Alfonso Blanco.
Pumas , like Santos Laguna (lost 2 - 0 against Montreal Impact in one of the other quarter final matches) has had a luck luster domestic second half campaign and sits last in their group.
Cruz Azul is in second spot one point behind leaders U.A.G.
Both teams will travel across Mexico City to Estadio Olimpico Universitario next Wednesday March 4, 2009 for the second leg and a chance at a semifinal berth against either the Puerto Rico Islanders or CD Marathon of Honduras.
© 2009 StartingEleven Magazine and startingeleven.ca
Eddie Sebrango seen here while playing for the Whitecaps was the deciding factor in the Impacts first leg match against Santos Laguna of Mexico
The Impact win a defensive jem against a high powerd santos offence
MONTREAL--Two goals by Eddie Sebrango was what brought a huge home crowd of over 55,000 fans to its feet in this first leg of CONCACAF Champions league quarter final play.
First on 5 minutes off a run of play of sustained early pressure which saw fellow striker Roberto Brown pounce on a loose ball outside of the Santos 18 yard box, then poking it forward for Sebrango to finish on a sliding kick to the far right of Santos keeper Oswaldo Sanchez into the bottom corner. Then later on in the 77th minute of the second half on a defensive error to close the game out
Minutes after the opening goal though Santos had seemed to pick up the pace and began to control the flow of the game for the better part of the first half, with occasional spurts of possession falling Montreal's way.
Christian Benitez was the only shining light for Santos offensively, the Ecuadorian International had many chances but did little with his opportunities to tie the game early in the first half.
Rocco Placentino saw allot of work on the left flank for Montreal creating alot of space for himself when the Impact were on the counter attack but he fell short in the finishing department and Montreal went into the dressing room at the half holding on to a slender 1 - 0 lead.
The second half began as the first had ended with Santos looking more controlled and composed on the ball.
Montreal's greatest strength once again proved to much for the opposition on this night, and that was defense.
Montreal boasts the best defensive record in the competition so far and they showed why again against Santos, with outstanding efforts from Nevio Pizzolitto, Cédric Joqueviel, and Adam Braz. If it were not for the two goals by Sebrango, Joqueviel would have been man of the match.
Montreal got into the inaugural CONCACAF Champions League by edging Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps for the Voyageurs Cup in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship last spring/summer.
They then beat Real Esteli of Nicaragua in a playoff to reach the group stage, where they qualified for the quarter-finals by finishing second in their four-team group to Atlante.
The next leg of the quarter finals goes on Thursday, March 5 in Torreon, Mexico, with the winner (aggregate score) advancing to face either the USA’s Houston Dynamo or Atlante of Mexico.
Montreal Impact 2 - 0 Santos Laguna (Mexico)
SatrtingEleven.ca Man of the Match Eduardo Sebrango 2 goals (5th,77th minute)
© 2009 StartingEleven Magazine and startingeleven.ca
Houston Dynamo felt the absence of Dwayne De Rosario traded to Toronto F.C. in the off season
Dynamo unable to hold
on in the second half
February 24, 2009 StartingEleven Magazine
HOUSTON - The Houston Dynamo were unable to stand on a 1 - 0 lead late in the second half against a resilient Atlante of the Mexican First Division on Tuesday who came back in the 82nd minute to tie the game off a goal from Gabriel Pereyra.
A set piece corner kick from Fernando Navaro flick on by Luis Venegas was headed in passed Houston net minder Pat Onstad.
Houston had taken the lead late in the first half, Bobby Boswells header was also off a set piece corner kick in the 34th minute after Houston had commanded the pace of the game from the opening whistle.
The second half was all together different, when it seemed that Houston had begun to loose its shape and legs under a sustained and increased attack from "Los Potros".
The lack of mid field containment and creativity was apparent and noticeable as Houston was made to fill the empty spot left by the departure of Dwayne De Rosario in the off season with a trade to Toronto F.C.
Stuart Holden had been shifted into more of a central midfield role in De Rosario's absence. Holden was playing a week after the death of his father Brian.
The Dynamos inability to finish around the goal at opportune time was what Boswell indicated was the reason for the disappointing draw at home.
Atlante 1 - Houston 1
The return leg will see Houston visit Atlante at home in Cancun, Mexico on March 3, 2009 with the winner of that game going on to the next round.
© 2009 StartingEleven Magazine and startingeleven.ca
Houston takes the final spot in the
final eight
By Cristian Ureta (StartingEleven.ca) November 26, 2008Houston Dynamo take the last spot in the final eight of the CONCACAF Champions Leaguie with a 1 - 0 win over Club Deportivo Luis Angel Firpo from El Salvador.
Brian Ching brings the Dynamo through to the quarter final rounds with a sublime header off a bending corner kick delivered by Midfield stat and Canadian International Dwane De Rosario in the 13th minute.
The firat half saw the Dynamo with the bulk of possesion and scoring chances, though in the 37th minute Pat Onstad was forced to make a great save off of Firpo Striker Patricio Gomez, most of the first frame left not much for the Houston netminder to do.
The second half saw a little more of a desperate Firpo team and the Onstad had to be sharp to avoid the Salvadorian club taking two quick goals away from the two time MLS Cup Champion. Needed again to make two fanastic and game saving stops, first in the 54th minute, a quick low shot from Fernando Leguizamon and again only a couple of minutes later off of Leguizamon again this time on an awkward shot that forced a diving save from the Canadian keeper.
The game itself was a bit of a barn burner in that there were many cautions and two sendings off.
Houston must now wait with the other seven qualified teams which include two USL sides in Montreal and Puerto Rico, for December 10th 2008. Thats when CONCACAF will hold the draw for the groups in the next round. With four Mexiacn teams, two teams from the US, one Canadian, and one from Honduras, its a good bet a mexican team will come out on top and winning the innagural Champions League Trophy.
© 2009 StartingEleven Magazine and startingeleven.ca
CONCACAF Champions League Trophy
patrick leduc avoids Real Esteli's Elmer Antonio Mejia in the preliminary round of
qualifying for the group stages
MONTREAL MOVE ON TO
THE KNOCKOUT STAGES
OF THE CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
StartingEleven Magazine October 21, 2008A 1-1 draw against the Honduran champion CD OLIMPIA was all that was required to see the Impact through to the quarter-finals of the innagural CONCACAF Champions league. Roberto Brown and goaltender Matt Jordan led the way as another solid defensive performance proved to be the difference between the two squads on this night.
The first forty five minutes began much like the last four games the Impact have played during the beginning of this group phase of the CONCACAF Champions League. Montreal, on their way to another solid defensive performance, often capitalized on offensive errors on the part of Olimpia to create quick counter attacks and a handful of decent chances on the Olimpia goal.
Roberto Brown opened the scoring thumping a waist high full volley shot past Olimpia keeper Noel Valladares in the 40th minute, while the Honduran side responded deep into first-half injury time with a well-placed shot from Olimpia midfielder Washington Ramiro Bruschi.
The second half began with Montreal attacking early and often and had numerous chances on goal but failed to finish keeping the Honduran Champions in the match.
A rain soaked and very windy pitch may have also played a huge roll in the outcome of the game, but contrary to the automatic assumption... the weather did not particularly play to Montréal's favour.
Olimpia midfielder Ramon Nunez was dangerous several times, shooting just wide of the Montreal goal in the 61st minute and then sending a long distance effort aided by gusting winds off the left post three minutes later, Impact keeper, Matt Jordan, underestimating the cross saw the ball sail over his head, rap of the far post and out, only to have his defense clear the ball away after a mad scramble in front of goal.
The Impact remained the only undefeated team in the Group Stage. Montreal next meet Atlante of Mexico to decide the group leader while CD Olimpia are to face Joe Public of Trinidad in the final game of the group stage.
© 2009 StartingEleven Magazine and startingeleven.ca
