Two must-win games are on the slate tonight for MLS teams still involved in the CONCACAF Champions League. D.C. United is in Mexico, and takes on Toluca down in Mexico (8pm, FSC/Telefutura). Meanwhile in Puerto Rico, the Crew are out to ensure their passage to the third round (2am, FSC).
It's been a dramatic turnaround for the Black-and-Red in Group B. After dropping their first two games of the Champions League, United has come roaring back, winning three in a row, twice against San Juan Jabloteh and Marathon. While their future in the competition is simple — win and they're in — they'll have to take care of business against a Toluca team that has been superb at home of late.
A D.C. loss wouldn't spell elimination, but they'd need help from Jabloteh, who have failed to win in five tries in the Champions League. Jabloteh hosts Marathon in Group B's final game, and a win by the club from Trinidad & Tobago would allow United to qualify through the tiebreaker.
The Crew need at least a draw to ensure a spot in the quarterfinals. Columbus rested a number of players Saturday in their 1-0 loss at D.C., and with a point will seal the second spot in the group. Making matters slightly easier is Saprissa's need to win at Cruz Azul. Anything less and Columbus can still make it through.
If you will be watching tonight's matches, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Can D.C. win in Mexico? Can Columbus get the result they need to make the quarterfinals?
Share your thoughts below
Wish I could be happy for DC but that was a horrible penalty to give away. Defending that well for the whole game and making a dumb challenge like that in an area of little danger just sucks
Not bad
great results for MLS
I believe it is channel 68 on directv
MASSIVE!
And the Crew are through…
Not true. I don’t have it on DirecTV because I have to pay for the entire Spanish language package, something I have absolutely no interest in doing.
Both matches finish 1-1, and the guy doing the running commentary finally figured out Columbus has advanced.
Good match by D.C. Gave themselves a chance at least.
well, at least they forced Marathon to win, you’d love to win the game, but under the circumstances, winning in mexico has been nearly impossible for all US teams at any level, can’t be too devastated with the tie
Crew have tied it up. Come on boys!!!
Why does the person doing the running commentary for http://www.concacafchampions.com keep saying Columbus needs a win to advance? They only need a draw. You would think he would know the tiebreak rules.
stupid.
Not but 5 mins earlier my girl says.. “It’s D.C. They always screw it up.”
Wallace should have finished that one…
Wouldn’t that be crazy if DC advance, while Houston and Colombus fail to. That would be settin up for another MLS blowout in my mind…
Columbus down 1-0 at the half according to Soccernet
channelsurfing.net
it’s on the spanish channel that everyone has no mater what cable option they have.
anyone got a link/stream?
Vamos DC!
DC hanging on for dear life. Tons of pressure coming from Toluca.
WOW. that Pontius goal was NASTY! VAMOS UNITED! so, im thinking he may deserve a January call up. stellar year.
Damn DC might have a chance,,,already up 1-0 after the 7 min. mark.
Pontius with a bomb!!! DC United takes the lead!
Crew will advance.
Pray for a Jabloteh miracle. Toluca could pick up some kids off the street, put jerseys on them and beat D.C. United tonight. I’m not slamming United. No team in MLS would win at 8,750 feet above sea level.
I’m rooting for DC but they stand no chance. Toluca has been dominant in this event except for the hiccup with Marathon and are playing great home ball in league play. DC is already a big underdog and to compound that they most likely will be looking toward the huge weekend game which will decide if they make the MLS playoffs.
I think this match might get ugly esp. with Moreno, Olsen and Simms not traveling.
Both will fail MLS sucks at the international level. There i Said it! ; )
2 things:
1) DC needs to match or better Marathon’s result, since they are tied and DC has the tiebreaker.
2) The Columbus and Saprissa matches are NOT simultaneous. DC @ Toluca is on FSC at 8 pm (what the DC reserves play) and so is the Crew game. Cruz Azul @Saprissa is at 10 pm.
Lets go Crew.
Hope some how DC will pull through, it will be a hard task, unless Toluca takes it easy since they are already in to the next round.
Good luck to both, but DC wil probally fail
DC will fall.
Can DC win in Mexico? No.
Can Columbus get the result they need to make the quarterfinals? Yes.
FSC is showing the match on tape delay. It will be played at 8pm, simultaneous with DC/Toluca and Saprissa/Cruz Azul.
No DC can’t. There is some good young talent on this team, but there is a lot of dead weight as well.
Is Columbus playing against the Australia Islanders tonight? 2AM seems like an odd time for a game in this hemisphere. I am assuming it is tape delayed or they are partying late night style in Puerto Rico tonight.
can’t wait for a quarter/semi final game in Columbus vs. a Mexican team.. US vs. Mexico all over again.