One of two Major League Soccer teams is guaranteed a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals, and the first step to finding out which team that will be takes place tonight in Columbus when the Crew hosts Real Salt Lake (8 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel/Galavision) in the first leg of their quarterfinal matchup.
The Crew hardly resembles the team that got through the group stage, with a bevy of key players from its 2010 squad no longer on the roster. Real Salt Lake, on the other hand, will try to steal a result on the road with a veteran, cohesive group that has had plenty of success over the last two seasons.
In the night's other quarterfinal first leg, Cruz Azul hosts Santos Laguna, which just fired its coach this week, in one of two all-Mexican quarterfinals (10 p.m., Telefutura).
If you will be watching either match — or both — please feel free to share any thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below. Enjoy the action.
It was Cunningham who “hit” him (if you want to call it that)
Oddly enough, the Crew were the attacking team there.
But he didn’t even touch him, and yes, he rolled over the line with the ball.
This game is disgusting.
It was Cunningham.
Dyslexic much? Rimando*
FSC is not in control tonight, blame Concacaf as this is their feed.
Yep, this is why none of the preseason games are being televised…despite the diehard fans that would love to get the season started.
Shouldnt that have been a goal? Romando rolled past the line with the ball in hand…. Im confused. It couldnt have been a foul cause it was his own teammate who hit him.
What a waste of time.
There was almost no contact against Mirando. That looked like bad acting.
Pathetic time wasting by RSL gk. Game is pretty bad but it is early preseason, freakin’ cold and icy. Not sure you could expect too much under the circumstances
+1 Chris Sulivan knows his stuff, but he is sooo boring.
I’ve been to dozens of college games that were of a higher quality than this.
These teams cannot string together 5 passes without a turnover.
Becuase there is no replay. FSC was busy showing out of focus images of the grass when all the stuff was going on. Terrible camerawork and direction from the producer’s truck
I’m a die hard MLS fan…but this is borderline unbearable
After watching this game tonight, I am reminded why I hate FSC’s coverage and announcers. Im dissappointed that MLS will return to FSC this yeas.
Cunningham will get one.
Haha.
As you’re watching this, continually remind yourself that one of these teams actually won the MLS Cup.
I stepped away and didn’t see how Borchers and Renteria got sent off. And of course FSC hasn’t shown a replay of anything. What happened?
What caused those Red(s)?
How long will the suspensions for the sent-off players last? Just the return leg I think?
Wow…this is really some terrible soccer.
These FSC commentators are insufferable.
who is captain for the crew tonight?
The tackle was a diving tackle into the side of Gaven’s ankles.
No problem with him getting a yellow for that. Being on a yellow already, he obviously did not take heed of the official’s warning, and at the start of the second half none the less.
horrible 2nd yellow.
Thank God neither of them are playing in Mexico tonight.
Obvious they are both in preseason form.
That said, some encouraging signs from the Crew.
Nothing to do with the game, but I just want to say props to Avi and the rest of the writers I’m not familiar with for yet another great week of Soccer By Ives while the boss was on vacation. I think I speak for all of the readers in saying that.
That said, welcome back Ives, Hope the much needed vacation went well.
I know it is cold outside and preseason, but this is terrible soccer.
them = team.
Look at the stands? that right there ets you know why it’s not HD yet.
Crew looks the better them by far.
RSL is lucky to have a nil nil scoreline at half. Columbus was the better team in the first 45. I’m hoping we see better possession from RSL in the second half…too many poor passes.
What’s up Jose?! I was a devoted reader of yours when you covered the Sounders for the Seattle Times (season-ticket holder).
At this point I’m convinced that Christian Miles and Christopher Sullivan are the worst commentating tandem in American sports. I just can’t take them, and I feel like I’ve given them a fair shot.
So true! That always tripped me out with Sullivan. But I don’t have to watch him. Watching in Arizona on Galavision. Props to the Nordecke who showed up on a cold, cold night in C-Bus.
Why isn’t this game in HD? This is 2011 right?
There’s also a Buckeye and Blue Jackets game in Columbus tonight.
Glidden dropped Columbus…. I think they are looking for a new shirt sponsor, but nothing has been announced.
concacaftv website. CONCACAF shows the feed on their own site for free. just register. No credit card needed.
Haha you can take the GBS out of MLS but you cant take the freakish obsession with Guije Eskelotto out of Christopher Sullivan.
Christopher Sullivan loves saying “Barros ‘E’ Schelotto” … even when he no longer plays in MLS.
What happened to cbus sponsor?
http://www.directon.tv/channels/5907/
Columbus look like the better team by a mile in the first 15. Did not think I would see that.
– – salvadorian
–
Game started 8 min.s ago
What minute are we into right now? My FSC feed either isn’t showing it or it’s covered by a streaming advertisement thingy.
It’s too bad the Mexican national team will never again experience this wonderful weather now that qualification changed.
Wind Chill of 15 will do that.
Looks like there’s 30 people in the whole stadium, including the players.
Renteria and Mendoza up top for the Crew.
Don’t like either team too much, but I am happy to see Two MLS teams play again in a meaningful game….. I guess I am pulling for RSL, as I think they can get further in the tourney.