by TRAVIS CLARK
It certainly wasn't the worst start for MLS clubs in yesterday's opening matches of the CONCACAF Champions League. Houston will get their first crack at the competition tonight, looking to improve on their quarterfinal finish from last season.
Two Mexican teams, Pachuca and last year's runner ups Cruz Azul are in action, along with strong Costa Rican club Saprissa. A quick preview of each game runs after the jump.
Isidro Metapán at Houston Dynamo (8 p.m., delayed on FSC at 9)
Houston plays host to Isidro Metapán, a rather unknown club from Metapán, El Salvador. As mentioned, Houston managed to finish second in their group last year and are no strangers to this competition. For them, it'll be about improving on last season while also maintaining their league leading point total — though they're tied with Columbus. It'll be worth noting the side that Dominic Kinnear sends out tonight.
Pachuca at Deportivo Arabe Unido (8 p.m., Telefutura)
The other Group A match tonight features the Mexican powerhouse Pachuca traveling to Panama to take on Deportivo Arabe Unido. The Panamanian club has enjoyed recent success in their top flight, winning the league title last season to go with four title in the last 10 years. Pachuca has started well in the Apertura, sitting in third place after four rounds. Jose Francisco Torres and his playing time will be worth keeping an eye on.
Deportivo Saprissa at Cruz Azul (10 p.m., Telefutura)
Perhaps the most intriguing matchup of the evening pits last season's runners up against one of Costa Rica's most storied clubs. For D.C. fans, you'll remember that both these clubs gave D.C. United fits in last season's competition. Cruz Azul has gotten off to a slow start in the Apertura, sitting in eighth. Saprissa features a decent amount of players who have been capped for Costa Rica, including goalkeeper Keylor Navas, named the Gold Cup's best goalie this past summer.
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Who do you like to win tonight's Champion League matches? Think Houston will get off to a good start at home? Will Jose Francisco Torres start? Share your thoughts below.
afc, pretty sure Garcia won’t be much welcome by Dominic Kinnear any time soon – Houston traded up in the allocation order to get Garcia (no doubt pushed by the marketing folks in the FO to a degree or De La Hoya) and he showed his appreciation by attending a practice or two and then going back to Laredo.
It was inferred that Dom was not happy at all about this and he has a long memory
Landin looks to be coming in, but I wonder if it means the Dynamo are selling Clark to the Italian team early to fit him under the cap (and get funds for the transfer).
Nice job Houston. With any luck we could see all three MLS teams advance out of the group stage.
Holden dominated the game after he came in at the break. ES keeper worked hard to keep it to a single goal, though the ref helped by overlooking many ES fouls. With surprising 4-1 loss for Pachuca, it’d be nice to see Houston take the group, and anyone but Pachuca finish 2nd.
Whatever happened to the High School kid Garcia?
Is he still training or does anyone know?
From what I’ve heard he is waiting tell he finishes high school, but I think he already graduated so who knows.
32 minutes into the FSC tape delay and it looks like yet another official willing to swallow the whistle on fouls committed against a US team. American sides (including the NT) conisistently face some of the most biased officiating you will ever find outside of crappy kids sports movies.
Sometimes I feel like we need a token fat kid just so he can look all glum in the treehouse afterwards before Landon steps up with an idealistic yet heartwarming “attaboy” speech to somehow, against all odds, turn the campaign around.
for the dynamo match. The ref and all he assistant refs are mexican. Not assuming anything (yet), but just saying why are they all from the one country that despises our existence enough to send their family there? (sarcasm)
Go crew! Go Dynamo! I wouldn’t hold my breath on DC.
Whatever happened to the High School kid Garcia?
Is he still training or does anyone know?
I’ll be watching until 9pm When the Fire/Gals match comes on.
Go Dynamo. Go Crew. Get back up and fight DC.
Dynamo look close to signing Mexican scorer Landin
By BERNARDO FALLAS
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/soc/6578915.html
(SBI-Come on CJ, we can’t have copy and pasted copies of articles on the site. The link is fine.
I’ll be at the game tonight but it takes a little time to get up to mid-season fanaticism against teams I’ve never heard of before. It’s my own fault, but something this tournament should cure over time. CCL is a great idea. Go Dynamo x 2.
MLS is WAY overdue to dominate the CONCACAF Champions League. Go Dynamo.