CONCACAF Champions League Results

Two games were played last night in the CONCACAF Champions League and both were televised on FSC.

Puerto Rico did it again by holding Toronto FC scoreless at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium last night. Previously the Islanders had defeated Toronto 1-0 in Canada, which gave Colin Clark’s side the away goal advantage. That goal held with the scoreless draw last night, putting the Islanders through to the next round.

Puerto Rico packed it in and took chances only when they needed to. Both teams had shots bang off the post but the key players in the game were strangely mustached Noel Delgado and Bill Gaudette. Gaudette made a case again why he could be called back to MLS where he once played.

Delgado was important in holding the ball up and linking the forwards to the majority of Islander players, who by Clark’s design and the team’s execution and discipline kept themselves behind the ball for the Puerto Rican team. Delgado seemed to always be near the ball in the closing moments of the game where the Islanders did a great job of killing the clock. Perhaps it wasn’t exciting football but it’s the way an experienced tournament team should play.

By the way, if you’ve not checked out the new CONCACAF Champions League web site you need to. Really good stuff with videos, articles, photos and more.

In the second game of the night DC United defeated CD Firpo of Salvador, making United the first Major League Soccer team to advance out of the Preliminary Round of the CONCACAF Champions League. The New York Red Bulls also have a chance tonight as they play W Connection FC in a game that will also be televised on FSC.

DC United played to a 2-2 draw on aggregate at Estadio Cuscatlan. The game saw goals scored first by Firpo as the team was awarded a legitimate hand ball in the box by United’s Marc Burch. The PK was taken by Leandro Franco but he obviously stopped dead on his run up to the ball then started again, kicking the ball past a confused Josh Wicks who rightly protested to no avail.

United got back on board just 3 minutes later by a free kick from Christian Gomez which was taken from 20 yards out.

The game stayed tied and eventually went to overtime and then penalty kicks which United won 5-4. Both sides looked tired from the heat and players from both sides were cramping up towards the end of the contest.

For a unique look at the two games and the advancements of American teams in the CONCACAF Champions League Tournament please see Kartik Krishnaiyer’s very interesting post concerning MLS and USL. The Triumph of American Football