Whether or not it’s a result of the new format, there’s been
goals galore so far in the 2012-13 edition of the CONCACAF Champions League.
Last week’s action saw an average of 3.25 goals per game. Most importantly, all
three MLS teams in action recorded victories that put them in command of their
groups. Here’s how it all went down.
Tuesday
Santos Laguna 5-0
Aguila
-
Santos, last year’s runner up, got their
campaign off to a good start steamrolling Salvadorian side Aguila behind a
hat-trick from Carlos Quintero. The win puts Los Guerreros atop Group 1 on goal
differential and sets up a showdown with MLS side Toronto FC in a match that
could ultimately decide the group. MLS fans will remember last year’s meeting
between the sides when Santos knocked TFC out of the Champions League 7-3 on
aggregate after a 6-2 beat down in Mexico. Toronto, however, will head into
this game confident knowing they managed to hold Santos to a 1-1 draw at BMO
field last year. For Aguila, it would appear their Champions League campaign is
over, barring a remarkable comeback in their final two group games.
Real Salt Lake 2-0
Tauro FC
-
Real Salt Lake has always taken the Champions
League seriously and Tuesday was no exception. In a game they had to win, RSL
rolled out a mostly first choice XI and were rewarded with a 2-0 victory thanks
to goals from Alvaro Saborio and Kyle Beckerman. It wasn’t all roses for the
MLS side, though, as a clumsy tackle from Beckerman resulted in a deserved red
card. The captain’s suspension could prove costly when the two teams meet again
in Panama, a match Tauro must win to harbor any hopes of making the knockout
rounds.
Xelaju 1-0
Guadalajara
-
In the biggest upset of the tournament thus far,
Guatemalan outfit Xelaju managed to knock off Mexican giant Chivas Guadalajara
as Edgar Chinchilla’s headed effort off a corner proved the winner. Guadalajara
had a number of chances in the second half and probably should have taken a
point from the contest, but credit goes to Xelaju for playing a positive game
and creating enough chances themselves. Thanks to a first round draw with W
Connection Xelaju now sit atop the group on four points. Guadalajara can still
make the knockout rounds, but this loss means they can’t afford to slip up in
their remaining games.
Wednesday
Caledonia AIA 0-0
Marathon
-
Caledonia and Marathon battled to a scoreless
draw in a match that was anything but dull. Suspect goalkeeping from both sides
saw a number of chances, but neither side could take advantage. Marathon came
closest to breaking the deadlock when it hit the post from close range while
Caledonia managed to miss an open goal from 18 yards out. Each team took a
point, but the result was much more favorable for Marathon who has only played
one game and has a chance to take control of the group when they meet current
leaders Seattle in four weeks. Caledonia, meanwhile, need a win in their next
game if they want to keep their chances of advancing alive.
Alajuelense 2-2
Tigres
-
Thriller of the week goes to this match, an open
contest that saw plenty of chances for both sides and a dramatic, stoppage time
equalizer. Diego Caivo gave the hosts the lead with a beautiful volley, but
that seemed to wake up Tigres and the visitors found a deserved equalizer off
the foot of Alonso Zamora following an extended spell of dominance. Tigres
continued to play well to start the second half and took the lead after Manuel
Viniegra headed home a free kick, but Luis Valle’s 20-yard blast in stoppage
time assured a share of the points. The result gives Tigres control of the
group with four points but Alajuelense are also in good position having only
played a single game.
FAS 1-3 Houston
Dynamo
-
This game was a testament to Houston’s depth as
they rolled out a reserve-heavy lineup and still came away with a dominant 3-1
victory. Dynamo legend Brian Ching headed in the opener and Cam Weaver doubled
the lead just seven minutes later. FAS’ poor marking on crosses continued as
Je-Vaughn Watson put the game out of reach with a powerful header in the 60th
minute. FAS did manage to pull one back when Jonathan Aguila pounced on a
failed clearance, but the result was never in any doubt. Alexander Larin was
superb for FAS in a losing effort and as noted by Darrell Lovell on twitter, it
wouldn’t be surprising if an MLS team put in a discovery claim on him. With no
points from two games FAS looks done, but Houston have a showdown in Honduras
with Olimpia to decide the top spot in the group.
Thursday
Chorrillo 1-2
Municipal
-
Chorrillo knew they had to win and for much of
the first half it looked like they would do just that. However, the Panamanian
side was made to pay for multiple wasted opportunities when Municipal took the
lead through Luis Rodriguez. Chorrillo leveled when Johnny Ruiz managed to
chest the ball down and finish from close range, but then proceeded to miss
three golden scoring chances. Their profligacy in front of goal was punished
once again when Municipal’s Yosimar Arias found space in the box to pivot and
fire a late winner off the post and in. The win see Municipal level on points
with defending champion Monterrey while Chorrillo is all but dead with zero
points from two games in an exceptionally tough group.
LA Galaxy 5-2 Isidro
Metapan
-
What a way to close out last week’s Champions
League action: seven goals, a controversial red card and a competition
milestone all in one game. The Galaxy predictably dominated from the outset,
but it was Metapan that took a shock lead in the 17th minute against
the run of play. The writing was on the
wall for the LA defense, which had been allowing too much space, and they paid
for it when Nicolas Munoz poked home a rebound following Todd Dunivant’s goal
line clearance. It was all Galaxy from then on as Jose Alvarado put a David
Beckham cross past his own keeper to tie the game. Robbie Keane, wearing the
captain’s armband in Landon Donovan’s absence, gave LA the lead heading home
another Beckham cross. Beckham was involved on the third goal as well, doubling
the Galaxy lead directly off a corner kick. It was the 1,000 goal scored in CONCACAF
Champions League history, a fitting achievement for the Englishman’s already
impressive resume. There was controversy in the 70th minute when
Keane was questionably booked for a dive and then sent off after arguing with
the official. Down to 10 men, the Galaxy refused to take its foot off the gas
and was rewarded with two Juninho goals bracketing a Metapan penalty to make
the final score 5-2. LA is now atop the group on goal difference while Metapan
is still in the mix to advance with three points from two games.
MLS Outlook: It
was an excellent week for the league as all three teams in action recorded
important victories. Of the five MLS sides in the competition, three sit atop
their respective groups while Toronto and Houston are both second due only to a
difference in goals scored. This week sees four MLS sides in action. Toronto
plays Santos on Tuesday, LA face Puerto Rico Islanders on Wednesday; both
Houston and Seattle play on Thursday. Toronto has by far the toughest test of
the week facing off against a Santos team that dismantled the Reds when the two
sides last met. The other three teams should have no problems although Houston
shouldn’t look past Olimpia. It’s still early, but to see four MLS teams make
the knockout rounds wouldn’t be a shock; this week will go a long way to
determining whether that becomes a reality.
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