By TRAVIS CLARK
After a two week hiatus for the U.S. Open Cup Final and to accommodate the international break, CONCACAF group play resumes this evening with the third matchday. D.C. United is the only MLS club in action, and have plenty of work cut out for them if they plan on making any inroads in the competition. Already 0-7-1 in Champions League, if they're going to get a result, tonight is the night for it.
They face San Juan Jabloteh, last season's champions of the Trinidad & Tobago domestic league. San Juan has an identical 0-2 record, and with the way things are looking for D.C. this could be a battle for the club to avoid last place.
For D.C. United, the question is how seriously the club want to take the competition. From the looks of their travel roster, it's a younger, reserve-heavy side of just 16 players. Bill Hamid, recent academy signing took the trip. Hamid isn't eligible for league player this season, but
While a result certainly isn't out of question for tonight, they have plenty of work to be done if they want to finish in the top half of their group.
Elsewhere in tonight's CONCACAF Champions League, Cruz Azul face Puerto Rico in a rematch of last season's semifinal. The Islanders have thus far failed to recreate the dream run of last season, dropping their first two games to Columbus and Saprissa. Finally, the last match of the evening takes play to Group A, as Metapan face Arabe Unido.
What do you think of tonight's Champions League games? Can D.C. get it done on the road? Or should they just forget the competition and rest up for a playoff run? Share your thoughts below.
How did PR blow that one?
The CCL is, at most, a 14 match tournament, the winner of whom plays in (if it was an MLS team that wins) an off-season tournament. They should want to qualify for the knockout stages at any expense. It’s only 6 extra matches, and the payout is significantly greater than the MLS playoffs.
PR 3-3 Cruz Azul, DC still has a chance to go through to the next round, although not certain they want to, DC always plays in too many tournaments and runs themselves thin
D.C. actually started a pretty legit XI. It was their bench which was embarrassing.
DC with the 1-0 win
PR 3-1 Cruz Azul
25 min left in second half
so…is this game televised?
All I can say is thank you to Seattle for beating D.C. United in the U.S. Open Cup final. If I have to watch United in the Champions League next year, I will punch myself in the face.
Danny getting the nod tonight for the black and red!!!!
2 1 DC PULLS IT OUT…BUT NOT PRETTY
Seb Hines went the full 90 for Middlesbrough FC today.
Gotta jump in on behalf of dbchickenman, here. He admitted he goofed and apologized. Better than most. AGAIN, moving on…
Good point.
When will athletes, coaches, broadcasters, etc. put a cork in the war metaphors? “It’s a war.” B******t.
The most violent sporting contest isn’t a pimple on the ass of the most ‘benign’ war. Not even close.
Just becuase DC sucks in this competition dosen’t mean the Whole league dosen’t take it seriously.
I wasn’t trying to be self-righteous, but I thought it was worth a mention. Moving on…
Sorry if I offended you with that remark. You’re right.
@dbchickenman, I really don’t think it is appropriate to compare a sports/soccer schedule to something as horrific as the Bataan Death March.
Matt M. is right on the money. As a DCU fan, I think it’s the correct decision. The Bataan Death March portion of our schedule ends with this match. Get the older starters some rest and focus 100% on MLS. The playoffs are reachable, a Champion’s League trophy is not.
@timmyg: excellent insight and analysis. If you have a newsletter, perhaps we could subscribe.
All the roster proves is that DC is tanking this competition in order to concentrate on whatever’s left of the MLS season.
Just two strikers on the roster?!?
All the evidence you need to prove the mls isn’t a serious international league.
question
can MLS teams refuse their CCL spot?
DC should pack it in and focus on a playoff run.