The Soccer Barn

W-League alumni on US World Cup squad at all-time high

2011-05-13T16:33:00.000-04:00

The roster announced for the United States Women’s National Team for the 2011 Women’s World Cup in Germany this summer included an all-time high in alumni for the W-League with 15 former players on the squad named by Pia Sundhage. The World Cup team, the fourth since the founding of the league in 1995, features players representing 18 current and former W-League franchises.

The 15 W-League alumni for the upcoming tournament eclipse the 13 that were on the last roster in 2007. There were eight W-League alumni in 2003 and a dozen on the first 1999 squad.

W-League alumni returning from the 2007 roster are Abby Wambach, Lindsay Tarpley, Heather O’Reilly, Carli Lloyd, Shannon Boxx and Christie Rampone. It is the third tournament for Wambach and the fourth consecutive for Rampone, the lone remaining member of the 1999 Women’s World Cup Champions. Wambach played for the Rochester Ravens as a teenager in 1998 and Rampone was a member of the New Jersey Lady Stallions the same year.

The Pali Blues saw three players, Lauren Cheney, Amy LePeilbet and Tobin Heath, from its W-League championship teams ( 2008 & 2009) named to the squad along with 2010 Blues striker Alex Morgan. LePeilbet and Heath are both long-time W-League players. Current Pali Blues Vice President and USL Pro Los Angeles Blues coach Charlie Naimo has ties to the most players having coached eight players either with the Blues or previously managing Jersey Sky Blue (2007), New Jersey Wildcats (2004-06), New Brunswick Power (2000) and Central Jersey Splash (1998-99) prior to his last three years in LA.

Former Northern Virginia Majestic Ali Krieger was named to the World Cup roster for the first time. She was also one of three players that played for the W-League Washington Freedom. She is joined by Lori Lindsey and Becky Sauerbrunn, who was a member of the USL Pro Richmond’s former sister side Kickers Destiny prior to the Freedom. Another WPS-related W-League side, Jersey Sky Blue, was represented by Heath and first-timer Jill Loyden.

Over the years W-League alumni have had an impact on the tournament beyond just the US Women’s roster. In 2007 a total of 54 W-League alumni represented nine nations, an increase from the total of 42 representing seven nations in 2003.

The 2011 US Women’s World Cup Team will play a two-game series against fellow Women’s World Cup qualifier Japan taking place on May 14 at Columbus Crew Stadium (6:30 p.m. ET on FOX Soccer and FOX Deportes) and May 18 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. (7 p.m. ET on ESPN2). The USA will play its Women’s World Cup Send-Off Match on June 5 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. (2 p.m. ET on ESPN2) before the players go on a break. The U.S. team will leave for Austria in mid-June for a pre-Women’s World Cup training camp.

The USA, which has been drawn into Group C with Korea DPR, Colombia and Sweden, opens its tournament on June 28 in Dresden against the Koreans in a match that will be broadcast live on ESPN at 11:45 a.m. ET.

2011 US World Cup Roster

GOALKEEPERS (3): Nicole Barnhart… Jill Loyden – Jersey Sky Blue 2007-08… Hope Solo… DEFENDERS (7): Rachel Buehler… Stephanie Cox… Ali Krieger – Washington Freedom 2007, Northern Virginia Majestics 2005… Amy LePeilbet – Pali Blues 2008, Arizona Heatwave 2003, 05, Chicago Cobras 2000-03… Heather Mitts – Central Florida Krush 2005, Tampa Bay Extreme 2000… Christie Rampone – New Jersey Stallions 1998, Central Jersey Splash 1997… Becky Sauerbrunn – Washington Freedom 2008, Richmond Kickers Destiny 2006-07, Boston Renegades 2005… MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx – Boston Renegades 1999… Tobin Heath – Pali Blues 2009, Jersey Sky Blue 2007, New Jersey Wildcats 2004-05… Lori Lindsey – Washington Freedom 2007-08, Indiana Blaze 1997-00… Carli Lloyd – New Jersey Wildcats 2004, South Jersey… Banshees 2001, New Brunswick Power 2000… Heather O’Reilly – New Jersey Wildcats 2004-05, New Brunswick Power 2000… Megan Rapinoe… Lindsay Tarpley – New Jersey Wildcats 2005, Kalamazoo Quest 1998-99… FORWARDS (4): Lauren Cheney – Pali Blues 2009… Alex Morgan – Pali Blues 2010… Amy Rodriguez.. Abby Wambach – Rochester Ravens 1998

Previous W-League Alumni on US World Cup Rosters*

2007

Briana Scurry - Delaware Genies 1998… Christie Rampone - New Jersey Lady Stallions 1998, Central Jersey Splash 1997… Cat Whitehill - New Jersey Wildcats 2005… Lindsay Tarpley - New Jersey Wildcats 2005, Kalamazoo Quest 1998-99… Shannon Boxx - Boston Renegades 1999… Tina Ellertson - Seattle Sounders 2003-05… Heather O'Reilly - New Jersey Wildcats 2004-05… Carli Lloyd - New Jersey Wildcats 2004, South Jersey Banshees 2001, New Brunswick Power 2000… Leslie Osborne - Chicago Cobras 2001… Kristine Lilly - Delaware Genies 1998… Angela Hucles - Boston Renegades 2005, Hampton Roads Piranhas 2000… Marci Jobson - Atlanta Silverbacks 2005, Charlotte Lady Eagles 2004, Chicago Cobras 1997-2000… Abby Wambach - Rochester Ravens 1998

2003

Brandi Chastain - Sacramento Storm 1997… Julie Foudy - Sacramento Storm 1997… Angela Hucles - Hampton Roads Piranhas 2000… Kristine Lilly - Delaware Genies 1998… Siri Mullinix - Raleigh Wings 1999, Charlotte Speed 1998… Christie Rampone - New Jersey Lady Stallions 1998, Central Jersey Splash 1997… Briana Scurry - Delaware Genies 1998… Abby Wambach - Rochester Ravens 1998

1999

Briana Scurry - Delaware Genies 1998… Lorrie Fair - Silicon Valley Red Devils 1997… Christie Rampone - New Jersey Lady Stallions 1998, Central Jersey Splash 1997… Carla Overbeck - Raleigh Wings 1998… Brandi Chastain - Sacramento Storm 1997… Sara Whalen - Long Island Lady Riders 1997-98… Michelle Akers - Tampa Bay Extreme 1998… Julie Foudy - Sacramento Storm 1997… Kristine Lilly - Delaware Genies 1998… Tisha Venturini - Delaware Genies 1998… Danielle Fotopoulos - Tampa Bay Extreme 1998… Tracy Ducar - Raleigh Wings 1998

*Players listed with W-League experience prior to applicable World Cup (some players may have played in the W-League after World Cup)

Looking Back: 2007

Another World Cup, another top three finish for the United States, who have won two titles and finished third three times. While the US remains a perennial contender, former W-League players helped guide Australia, England and Brazil to new levels of success in one of the most exciting editions of the tournament, which was at times overshadowed by off the field matters such as spying accusations, coaching decisions and weather.

Former Brazilian W-Leaguers Formiga and Daniela finished second. Four years prior, it was a Canadian squad loaded with W-League stars that were the surprise of the tournament, reaching the semifinals before finishing fourth. In 2007, the darlings of the tournament were the Matildas of Australia. The Australian squad registered their first-ever victory in the World Cup and went on to advance from their group.

Australia opened with a stunning 4-1 win over Ghana in which 10 former W-League players highlighted the two squads, including captains Cheryl Salisbury (Australia) and Adjoa Bayor (Ghana). In the 15th minute former Boston Renegade Caitlin Munoz set up Sarah Walsh for the opening score and the Matildas cruised to their historic win and the Group C lead as Canada fell 2-1 to Norway. Australia then played 1995 tournament champion Norway to a 1-1 draw in the second game when Munoz came off the bench to record her second assist of the tournament by setting up the Lisa De Vanna equalizer in the 83rd minute. Canada, comprised entirely of current and former W-League players, defeated Ghana 4-0 to climb back into the mix to advance.

The final day of group play had plenty of drama as Australia needed just a draw to move on in their showdown with Canada while the Canadians needed a lot of help. Atlanta Silverback Melissa Tancredi put Canada on the board first with the second fastest goal in tournament history with a 18-yard strike 32 seconds in. Australia would tie it up in the 53rd and with Norway pulling away on the scoreboard against Ghana, Canada needed to post a win. They looked to pulled off the stunner in the 85th when a Rhian Wilkinson (Ottawa Fury) corner kick found Atlanta’s Candace-Marie Chapman, who re-directed her header back to the corner’s near post to an awaiting Christine Sinclair (Vancouver Whitecaps) for what appeared to be the winner. Well into stoppage time, the Australians got the break they needed when the ball was delivered to center of the box to a wide open Salisbury (Memphis Mercury), who put it away from just off the spot for the draw to send Australia and Norway through.

Australia had the unfortunate luck of drawing red hot Brazil in the Quarterfinals. Led by former W-League players Formiga and Daniela, the South Americans dominated their group 10-0 on aggregate in their sweep, including a 4-0 win over host China. Daniela (Hampton Roads Piranhas) scored Brazil’s first of the tournament 10 minutes into their 5-0 win over New Zealand with a 30-yard blast just under the bar.

The Quarterfinal showdown was an unexpected thriller with Formiga (Jersey Sky Blue) helping give Brazil a 2-0 lead with the opening goal on a fantastic strike four minutes into the game. Down two and without Salisbury due to injury, the Matildas did not give up and behind the leadership of Joanne Peters (Charlotte Lady Eagles) and Thea Slatyer (Washington Freedom) they pulled level with goals in the 36th and 68th minutes. Their hearts would be broken seven minutes later, however, when Christiane buried a shot from the edge of the box for the winner.

Brazil’s win set them up for a Semifinal affair with the US that began two days early with the coaching switch of goalkeepers Briana Scurry (Delaware Genies) for Hope Solo, a controversial move that became a heated topic following the worst loss, 4-0, in United States Women’s National Team World Cup history. A well driven low corner to the six from Formiga forced an own goal early and a quick shot from Marta, the tournament’s leading scorer, put the US in a 2-0 hole that was further complicated by a controversial second yellow to Shannon Boxx just before the half. Christiane and Marta put the game away in the second half as Brazil controlled the match.

The United States had advanced to the Semifinals with a surprisingly easy 3-0 win over England, who were soaring after their successful run through group play.

England had a tough task being in the same group as the defending champion Germany and 10th ranked Japan, but they started out hot in a 2-2 thriller against the Japanese. Japan, led by midfielder Homare Sawa (Denver Diamonds), stunned the Brits on free kicks at the beginning and end of the game for the lead and equalizer, but in between it all was former New Jersey Wildcat Kelly Smith, who struck with goals in the 81st and 83rd.

England then posted what may be the best result for any team in the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Germany, who would go on to defend their title. It was the only game in which Germany did not score at least two goals as they went on to finish with 21 in their four other games. The England defense was led by captain Faye White, who had just returned from a stint with the Ottawa Fury. England would wrap up their spot in the Quarterfinals with a 6-1 win over Argentina in which Smith added two more goals.

In the Quarterfinal against the US, it was the American half of the New Jersey Wildcat contingency that came out on top. The 2005 W-League champions were represented by England’s Rachel Yankey and Rachel Unitt as well as Heather O’Reilly, Lindsay Tarpley and Cat Whitehill of the US. Carli Lloyd (US) and Smith (England) had also played for the club in the past. The US shut down Smith as former W-Leaguers Abby Wambach (Rochester Ravens), Boxx (Boston Renegades) and Kristine Lilly (Delaware Genies) did all the scoring.

Despite the Semifinal loss to Brazil, the Americans finished well with Wambach scoring twice and O’Reilly once in the 4-1 win over Norway. The entertaining run of the spectacular Brazilian side ended in bittersweet fashion as they fell 2-0 to Germany despite several dangerous scoring opportunities in the game from Formiga, Daniela and the young standout Marta. Germany became the first team to defend their title, finishing the tournament without conceding a single goal.

Facts and Figures: 54 W-League alumni represented nine nations in the Women’s World Cup (Canada 21, USA 13, Australia 6, England 4, Ghana 4, Brazil 2, New Zealand 2, Japan 1, Norway 1) - Full List… 17 current W-League teams were represented at the World Cup… 16 players had won a W-League championship… 15 W-League players scored a goal in the World Cup, accounting for 25 goals (23% of the 108 scored)… 12 players recorded an assist, accounting for 18 assists (31% of the 57 total)… 45 players saw action in the tournament for a total of 10,945 minutes (17.3% of the 63,274 minutes played) and 149 matches played (17.2% of the 865 games played total)… US striker Abby Wambach (Rochester) finished tied for second in goals with six… Kristine Lilly (US, Delaware), Formiga (Brazil, Jersey) and Kara Lang (Canada, Vancouver) finished tied with the tournament lead in assists with three… 3 coaches had W-League ties – US HC Greg Ryan (Charlotte), US AC Bret Hall (Chicago, USL Hall of Fame) and Canada AC Bob Birarda (Vancouver)… 9 W-League players played every minute for their team (Canada – Christine Sinclair, Martina Franko, Sophie Schmidt, Randee Hermus, Tanya Dennis; Japan – Homare Sawa; Ghana – Mavis Danso; England – Faye White; US – Cate Whitehill)… 1 W-League player played the maximum 540 minutes possible (Cat Whitehill).

Looking Back: 2003

The US Women’s National Team did not see the tournament success they envisioned in the 2003 Women’s World Cup, but their opponent in the Third Place match was a surprise to many.

The Canadian Women’s National Team, winless in two previous tournament appearances, took a giant leap forward that fall with its stunning run in the tournament. Leading the way were 16 players with W-League experience on the roster of 20, including 11 who played with the three Canadian franchises in 2003.

Swiatek was the breakout player in Canada’s 2003 run to fourth. The most surprising story of the team’s run was that of Ottawa Fury goalkeeper Taryn Swiatek. After a breakout season in the W-League, where she finished second in goals against average at 0.41, she came into the tournament as the third-string netminder. Following a 4-1 loss to eventual champion Germany in their opener, Swiatek would make her debut in goal against Argentina and posted a shutout in a 3-0 win, the team’s first ever in the Women’s World Cup.

A 3-1 victory over Japan in their third match advanced the team out of group play and into a showdown with defending champion China in the quarterfinals. In a close-fought match, the Canadians registered the historic win to move onto the semis, where Sweden would rally with two unanswered goals in the final 11 minutes for a 2-1 win.

Swiatek finished with a 1.20 GAA for the tournament while three of the four goal scorers on the team were W-League alumni. USL Hall of Famer Charmaine Hooper tallied twice despite playing in her new role as defender. Vancouver Whitecaps 16-year old phenom Kara Lang also found the back of the net twice and former Whitecap Christine Sinclair finished tied with Christine Latham for the team lead with three strikes for the tournament.

Of the 42 then current and former W-League players on 2003 Women’s World Cup rosters, 35 saw action during group play in the first two weeks. Only three of the current 17 W-League players in the tournament did not see action in the group stage.

Five W-Leaguers were honored with Players of the Match honors, selected by the FIFA Technical Study Group, during the course of the tournament.

Charmaine Hooper was honored for leading the Canadians to a surprising Quarterfinal win over China with a stellar performance in her new role as defender. She still found the net, however, scoring the game’s lone tally on a header in the seventh minute. Former Delaware Genie Kristine Lilly scored the first goal of the United States’ campaign and the 92nd of her international career in her 256th international appearance - a 3-1 win over Sweden. Northern Virginia Majestics player Elizabeth Baidu was honored for her outstanding defensive play for Ghana in shutting down China, the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup runners-up, in a narrow 1-0 loss. She was one of three players in the tournament to be honored from a team in a loss. Former Memphis Mercury player Cheryl Salisbury was honored for her fantastic defensive play in Australia’s 1-1 draw against China. She made a save in the 42nd minute, clearing the ball off the line to preserve a 1-0 lead heading to halftime. Despite two goals by teammate Alberta Sackey, Northern Virginia Majestic Adjoa Bayor was honored for her remarkable play in midfield that created numerous scoring chances for Ghana in their surprising 2-1 victory over Australia.

In the four years since the 1999 Women’s World Cup, the number of international players from abroad has increased in the W-League, pushing the talent level in the league to new heights and improving the level of the women’s game in North America and abroad. After fine-tuning their talents in the W-League, players like Australia’s Kelly Golebiowski, Mexico’s Maribel Dominguez and Japan’s Homare Sawa, among many others, raised the level of play of their nations.

Leading the list of W-League alumni was Canadian Charmaine Hooper, who was the first woman inducted into the USL Hall of Fame as a member of the inaugural class. Hooper was a three-time scoring champion and the 1998 W-1 Most Valuable Player as a member of the Chicago Cobras. She was the first-ever W-League Scoring Champion while with the Rockford Dactyls in 1995 with 31 points.

The Nigerian duo of Mercy Akide and Florence Omagbemi led the Hampton Roads Piranhas to an undefeated 14-0-0 season in 2003 and the club’s first league title in nine seasons of play. Akide finished 10th in the league in scoring with seven goals and five assists for 19 points, but scored her most important goal of the year in overtime of the championship. In a scoreless match in which Akide and Omagbemi controlled the play and had several dangerous chances, Akide’s 96th minute strike earned her the W-League Championship Most Valuable Player honor.

The Nigerian duo were the latest installment of successful alumni from the Virginia Beach, Virginia-based club. The club had six alumni in the tournament, including 2000 W-1 Assist Leader Angela Hucles of the US and 2001 W-1 Rookie of the Year Kelly Golebiowski of Australia.

Golebiowski was one of three former W-League Rookies of the Year in the tournament, joining 2002 honoree Elizabeth Baidu of the Northern Virginia Majestics and Ghana and 2000 W-2 honoree Nkiru Okosieme of the Charlotte Lady Eagles and Nigeria.

The Piranhas’ six alumni in the tournament ranked second to the Vancouver Whitecaps, who saw eight players, six of them current, take to the field in the World Cup. The list included veteran international player Andrea Neil, who ranked second to Hooper in all-time caps for Canada at the time. Up and coming youngster Kara Lang is another current member of the Whitecaps squad that will represent Canada. Former Whitecaps forward Christine Sinclair is also a member of the Canadian National Team.

US internationals such as Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy and Kristine Lilly were among the players in the early years of the W-League that were also among the seven alumni on the US squad. Chastain and Foudy played for the Sacramento Storm and Lilly was a member of the Delaware Genies. US goalkeeper Siri Mullinix helped lead the Raleigh Wings to their second straight W-1 Championship in 1999 when she stopped the 16-0 Chicago Cobras’ Courtney Linex in the sixth round of the tiebreaker shootout in the final.

Additional W-League Alumni in World Cups

2007

Australia: Emma Wirkus – Asheville Splash… Cheryl Salisbury – Memphis Mercury… Thea Slatyer – Washington Freedom… Joey Peters – Charlotte Lady Eagles… Danielle Small – Jackson Calypso… Caitlin Munoz – Boston Renegades… Brazil: Daniela – Hampton Roads Piranhas… Formiga – Jersey Sky Blue, New Jersey Wildcats… Canada: Amy Walsh – Laval Comets, Montreal Xtreme… Andrea Neil – Vancouver Whitecaps… Melanie Booth – Toronto Lady Lynx, Toronto Inferno… Brittany Timko – Vancouver Whitecaps… Candace Chapman – Atlanta Silverbacks, Toronto Inferno… Christine Sinclair – Vancouver Whitecaps… Diana Matheson – Ottawa Fury, Toronto Inferno… Erin McLeod – Vancouver Whitecaps… Jodi-Ann Robinson – Vancouver Whitecaps… Kara Lang – Vancouver Whitecaps… Karina Leblanc – New Jersey Wildcats, Montreal Xtreme… Katie Thorlakson – Vancouver Whitecaps… Kristina Kiss – Ottawa Fury… Martina Franko – Vancouver Whitecaps… Melissa Tancredi – Atlanta Silverbacks, Detroit Jaguars… Randee Hermus – Vancouver Whitecaps… Rhian Wilkinson – Ottawa Fury… Robyn Gayle – Ottawa Fury, Toronto Inferno… Sophie Schmidt – Vancouver Whitecaps… Tanya Dennis – Toronto Lady Lynx… Taryn Swiatek – Ottawa Fury… England: Faye White – Ottawa Fury… Rachel Unitt – New Jersey Wildcats… Kelly Smith – New Jersey Wildcats, New Jersey Lady Stallions… Rachel Yankey – New Jersey Wildcats, Laval Dynamite… Ghana: Mavis Danso – Rochester Rhinos… Patricia Ofori – Rochester Rhinos… Adjoa Bayor – Northern Virginia Majestics… Belinda Kanda – Rochester Rhinos… Japan: Homare Sawa – Denver Diamonds… New Zealand: Priscilla Duncan – West Michigan Firewomen… Emma Humphries – Cocoa Expos… Norway: Siri Nordby – Tampa Bay Extreme

2003

Australia: Kelly Golebiowski - Hampton Roads Piranhas… Cassandra Kell - Hampton Roads Piranhas… April Mann - Greensboro Twisters… Joey Peters - Charlotte Lady Eagles… Cheryl Salisbury - Memphis Mercury… Danielle Small - Toronto Inferno… Amy Wilson - Greensboro Twisters… Canada: Sasha Andrews - Vancouver Whitecaps… Silvana Burtini - Raleigh Wings... Randee Hermus - Vancouver Whitecaps… Charmaine Hooper - Chicago Cobras… Kristinia Kiss - Ottawa Fury… Kara Lang - Vancouver Whitecaps… Diana Matheson - Toronto Inferno… Erin McLeod - Vancouver Whitecaps… Isabelle Morneau - Ottawa Fury… Carmelina Moscato - Vancouver Whitecaps… Andrea Neil - Vancouver Whitecaps… Christine Sinclair - Vancouver Whitecaps… Taryn Swiatek - Ottawa Fury… Brittany Timko - Vancouver Whitecaps… Rhian Wilkinson - Ottawa Fury… Ghana: Basilea Amoo-Telleh - Northern Virginia Majestics… Elizabeth Baidu - Northern Virginia Majestics… Adjoa Bayor - Northern Virginia Majestics… Alberta Sackey - Northern Virginia Majestics… Abiba Sulemana - New York Magic… Japan: Homare Sawa - Denver Diamonds… Nigeria: Mercy Akide - Hampton Roads Piranhas… Patience Avre - Charlotte Lady Eagles, Hampton Roads Piranhas… Nkiru Okosieme - Charlotte Lady Eagles… Florence Omagbemi - Hampton Roads Piranhas… Norway: Kristine Edner - Tampa Bay Extreme

Remembering a Story of Survival

2011-05-02T02:55:00.001-04:00

With the news of the death of Osama Bin Laden, much like the occasions when the events or 9/11 are at the forefront of American discussion, the thoughts of one person whom I am glad to call a friend always come to my mind. A longtime associate and friend in the game, Lyndelle Phillips narrowly escaped death that day.

Here is the account of that day through her eyes, as we reported at United Soccer Leagues several days later...

NEW YORK – Lyndelle Phillips, the team president of the W-League’s New York Magic, knows she is lucky to be alive.

Phillips miraculously escaped injury in this week’s terrorist attack on New York City’s World Trade Center. Ironically, it was her prior experience in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing that saved her life and that of many of her co-workers.

Phillips is an attorney for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co., one of more than 3,500 employees of the financial giant that took up 50 floors of the Twin Towers.

Her office was on the south side of Two World Trade Center – in the company’s law offices on the 65th floor – right where the second jet slammed into the complex.

If she hadn’t headed downstairs after the first attack, Phillips realizes she probably wouldn’t have survived.

“I’m not a holy roller or a bible-thumper, but I’m religious, yes. You survived this twice. There, but for the grace of God… What if the plane had hit our building first?

“It hit on the 65th floor where I just left. It came into the same conference room that I had been sitting in 20 minutes before.”

Phillips arrived at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday morning, preparing for an 8 o’clock meeting in the conference room of the 65th floor of the South Tower – a room with a view of downtown Manhattan.

Some 45 minutes later, all hell broke loose. The North Tower exploded in front of her very eyes.

“We felt the impact and then we saw that debris was flying out the window. Documents, desks, people.”

The initial explosion came at 8:45 a.m. ET when the first jet, American Airlines Flight 11, crashed into the North Tower. Trade Center security officials soon announced that the South Tower was secure and urged people to remain calm and stay in their offices.

“I didn’t listen to that. I was in the first bombing in ’93 and the big problem then was there was smoke all over the place,” said Phillips. “I was concerned about the flames from the other building.

“I just grabbed my purse and briefcase and I told everyone to get out and headed for the nearest stairwell.

It was a crowded but orderly evacuation, and some fifteen minutes later Phillips was more than halfway down. Then came the second impact. United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower.

“We get to the 27th floor and the building is shaken to the foundation. We don’t know what it is. The building started shaking to the left and to the right.

“We felt the impact and thought the building was going to fall down. I thought we were going to die. I took off my shoes and I said ‘Forget this.’ I started running.”

Things were surprisingly calm when she reached the main concourse. “There were police and security guards and they were telling people not to run, to walk, to go this way. There were people directing the masses of people coming out of many different stairwells.”

“We saw there was debris. I can’t begin to tell you what it was looking like.”

Barely 10 minutes after she stumbled out onto Church Street and made her way up Broadway away from the devastation – the South Tower crumbled to the ground – followed shortly afterwards by the North Tower.

“Everyone I know that I asked about got out.”

Ironically, the Magic logo contains the New York City skyline, including the doomed Twin Towers.

“The landscape of New York City is gone. There’s nothing. You can’t see it. It’s showing in our logo. Our logo has the Twin Towers in it, and now it’s not there.

“I had a lot of people from the USL call, people from Jacksonville and Toronto and Springfield and all over. You really start to realize you develop some contacts and friendships. The soccer community came through. It was really interesting.”

Phillips admits the full scope of the tragedy hasn’t sunk in yet. “I’m sure it will, but when I get quiet moments. Right now, I’ve got friends calling from all over. I’m sure that once I get a chance to sit back, I’m sure it will settle in.”

Ocho Overshadows Other Crossover

2011-03-27T23:15:00.001-04:00

It is entirely understandable that the media are all over the Chad Ochocinco (nee Johnson – he says he’s changing it back by the way) trial with Sporting Kansas City (nee Wizards/Wiz). He is a high-profile National Football League player that is currently in the media frenzy of the labor lockout. But it should be noted, though, that it is not the only sports crossover that took place this week. Tennis stars took the pitch Wednesday evening to play the Hope For Japan charity exhibition versus the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the new North American Soccer League.

And they weren’t just your run of the mill ATP World Tour players. Among the players in Miami for the Sony Ericsson Open that laced up their football boots for charity were Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, the top two ranked players in the world. Andy Murray (ranked fifth) scored on of the two strikes for the tennis squad in the 5-2 result in favor of the professional footballers. Marco Baghdatis (24th) of Cyprus tallied the other goal from the penalty mark in the shortened 40-minute exhibition friendly.

While Ochocinco may be trying out for an MLS squad, the risk of injury is slight and carries with it the safety net that the season is months away, if not more given the NFL labor situation. These tennis stars were risking injury during a tournament in which even the slightest of ankle sprains could cost them on the court.

Also among the 17 ATP World Tour players representing the tennis side were David Ferrer (6th) and Fernando Verdasco (9th).

The game, while relaxed with no tackling, proved to be a lot more competitive than many would have imagined as the style of play reflected a good futsal or indoor soccer match with some fantastic passing and creative foot skills not only from the Strikers, but surprisingly also from the players on the tennis squad, who represented themselves quite well as they raised funds for the Red Cross.

That probably should not have been too much of a surprise given that Nadal, Ferrer, and Verdasco all hail from Spain, the home of the current FIFA World Cup champions. Djokovic (Serbia) and Murray (Scotland) are among European-heavy top-ten in the current ATP rankings.

Starting alongside Baghdatis, Murray and Djokovic, who served as captain and helped organize the event, was Japan’s top-ranked player Kei Nishikori (62nd), representing the victims of the deadly earthquake and tsunami for which the match and following gala dinner were raising funds for. Also starting were Feliciano Lopez (41, Spain), Juan Monaco (35, Argentina), Richard Gasquet (18, France), Victor Troicki (17, Serbia), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (16, France) and Jurgen Melzer (10, Austria) with Nadal, Ferrer and Verdasco coming off the bench with Alexandr Dolgopolov (23, Ukraine), Potito Starace (47, Italy), Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (94, Spain) and David Marrero (Spain).

While it is understandable that Ocho is garnering a lot of attention, it is a shame that an event featuring so many other international sports stars was virtually ignored by the American media, especially those in soccer. The event garnered a few items from the tennis side of things, including a report on the game in ESPN’s online UK tennis section and a photo gallery in the SI.com tennis section. It attracted practically no attention from the US soccer media. While nearly all of the established, highly-regarded soccer journalists weighed in with coverage or commentary about Ochocinco, there was hardly a peep, or even a tweet, about what these tennis players were doing and risking, which was for charity. Meanwhile, Ocho’s quest remains solely for the benefit of press attention for both himself and Sporting Kansas City.

Brilliant Finish for Monterrey

2010-12-06T17:40:00.000-05:00

The Mexican Primera’s Apertura came to a close with the second leg of the championship series Sunday evening with host Monterrey and its fans celebrating a much-deserved title, rallying from a 3-2 deficit from the first leg on the road against Santos Laguna with a dominant 3-0 victory at home.

The club dropped three of its last four games of the season, but still finished second in the league courtesy of being unbeaten to that point. It was not that great of a letdown as they trailed Cruz Azul most of the way due to the high number of lost points from draws, but the club was clearly deserving of winning the championship considering at the same time as it went on its 13-game unbeaten start to the Apertura, it also went unbeaten in its six Group Phase matches in the CONCACAF Champions League in a difficult group that included the Seattle Sounders, who went on to win its second consecutive US Open Cup, and two proven Central American powers in Saprissa and Marathon. In fact, they won five of the six with a 2-2 result against Saprissa on the road, finishing with the highest point total across the entire CCL field as they were the only team not to suffer a loss.

Monterrey defeated Puchuca and Pumas to reach the championship series against Santos Laguna, a potential CCL semifinal opponent. The playoffs proved dramatic as Pachuca rallied from two down in Monterrey for a 3-3 draw in the second leg (first finished 1-1), but the tiebreaker was held by Monterrey as the higher seed from the regular season. A scoreless first leg gave way to a 2-0 home win in the second half of the semifinal series against Pumas.

Santos Laguna, meanwhile, knocked off Jaguares and America in the postseason after finishing just two points back of Monterrey for second in their group and third overall in the league. They face fellow CCL power Cruz Azul in the CCL Quarterfinals as Monterrey plays Toluca, who finished fourth in their Apertura group and missed the playoffs.

Look for an updated Pro Power Rankings soon. Costa Rica power Alajuelense plays Herediano, who finished second to them in their group, in the championship series over the next two weeks. Firpo is set to take on Isidro Metapan in the El Salvadoran Final series while Olimpia and Real Espana head into the second leg of the Honduran Final level at 1-1. Guatemala and Panama are both in the semifinal stages of the postseason.

137 For 10 in Tampa

2010-11-18T04:54:00.000-05:00

While the North American soccer eyes will be looking toward Toronto on the men’s side for the Dallas-Colorado MLS Cup Final and toward Italy for the US women’s first-leg playoff contest for the final Women’s World Cup berth, 137 teams from the United States and Canada will take to the field in Tampa this week to compete for 10 youth championships.

It is easy to forget, but shouldn’t be overlooked; especially in a week in which MLS youth development has become center stage again with the announcement of its expanding ideology regarding the training of youth – pioneered by the way in the Super Y-League by several of its pioneering clubs. Again, teams bearing the names of MLS and USL clubs will be competing against their peers for boys and girls titles from U13 to U17.

On the boys’ side, 11 of the 80 teams competing enter the weekend with unbeaten records while 12 of the 57 girls’ teams arrive without a loss. Five of those girls teams are perfect (U13 Washington Freedom 10-0-0, U13 Kings Soccer Academy 10-0-0, U14 West Pines United 8-0-0, U15 Seacoast United 12-0-0 and U17 Ottawa Fury 8-0-0) while every squad playing for boys titles have at least one flaw on their campaign. The best among them, however, are five teams with a single draw, including three from the same Alliance Academy club (U13 Alliance Academy 6-1-0, U14 Coquitlam 11-1-0, U15 TSF Academy 15-1-0, U15 Alliance Academy 9-1-0 and U16 Alliance Academy 7-1-0). The U17 Boys bracket is the lone tournament of the 10 without an unbeaten club in the competition, but local side Tampa Bay Premier are the lone team that missed out on a victory only once on the season with a 9-0-1 record.

While two American clubs invade the north to square off for the MLS title, 22 Canadian teams representing nine clubs cross the border in the opposite direction in the quest of their own crowns. The Ottawa Fury have the largest presence with six teams playing in the tournament with Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC bringing five as part of a large contingent representing the greater Vancouver area. The Toronto Lynx Jrs have three teams in the running with Revolution FC (1), Mountain FC (2), West Coast Capitals (2), Coastal FC (1), Abbotsford Mariners (1) and London Gryphons (1) rounding out the Canadian clubs.

With only one champion in the first nine editions of the SYL Finals (U13B Vancouver Whitecaps in 2004), the Canadian representatives have done better of late with three champions in the past two years. Mountain FC won the U15 Boys title in 2008 and Coastal FC won both the U16 Boys and Girls brackets a year ago.

Pro Power Rankings: Monterry Still Unbeaten, Dallas Streak Ends as Top Clubs Meet

2010-10-20T19:44:00.000-04:00

Parity in Central America saw very few clubs dominate over the past two weeks to make significant moves in the TSB CONCACAF Pro Club Power Rankings this week. The top of the list, however, remained consistent as power players experienced reasonable blips as there were an astounding seven matches between two clubs in the Top 10 during Mexican Primera Division play and Major League Soccer action.

Top-ranked Monterrey navigated a pair of tough contests in league play during the CONCACAF Champions League break, playing to a scoreless draw against America (ranked 5) and defeating Toluca, 2-0. America’s other match was a 2-2 draw against Puebla and Toluca (10), also played to a scoreless draw against Cruz Azul (4), who defeated Santos Laguna, 3-0, in their other match and remain the first-place club overall in Mexico on points. Santos Laguna also battled to a scoreless draw with Morelia. The other Top 10 match featuring Mexican clubs was a Chivas Guadalajara 1-0 win against Necaxa. Chivas (9) also fell, 1-0, to Morelia and drew, 2-2, with Queretaro, while Necaxa were 1-0 winners against Puebla.

The MLS contingent in the Top 10 was just as busy in high-profile matches. Real Salt Lake (2) played a scoreless draw in New York against the Red Bulls (8) and ended the record FC Dallas 19-game unbeaten streak with a 2-0 win. Dallas (3) also played to a 2-2 draw against the Colorado Rapids and New York fell, 2-1, in Philadelphia.

With all the best clubs squaring off little changed in the Top 10 of the Power Rankings. Dallas only dropped one spot to fourth, and Toluca made the biggest move up four spots to sixth as others slipped slightly.

With Champions League on break, the intrigue outside of the Top 10 were minimal with the exception of the USSF Division-2 playoffs where three of the top four seeds were eliminated in the Quarterfinals and the eighth-seeded Puerto Rico Islanders, a CCL participant, advanced to the championship for the second time in three years along with the Carolina RailHawks. The Islanders knocked off the regular season champion Rochester Rhinos and avenged their 2008 championship loss against Vancouver with two goals in series overtime after a scoreless aggregate through the two legs. Vancouver had won the quarterfinal showdown of future MLS clubs, splitting the series with Portland but edging the Timbers, 2-1, on aggregate. The RailHawks, top seed in the NASL Conference and fourth overall in the league, ran away in the second leg of the quarters against Minnesota, 4-0, after a scoreless first leg, but had to rally from down one to defeat defending champion Montreal Impact in the semifinals, 2-1.

Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama each played two rounds worth of action during the FIFA international break, but only five of the 44 clubs were able to manage two wins over the two-week span. San Francisco, Tauro and Arabe Unido won twice in Panama while Victoria and Marathon each picked up a pair of wins. El Salvador only played one full round of games. Marathon also earned a draw with a third match midweek on their break from CCL play.

The odd stat of the week came from Guatemala where all 12 clubs earned a win and a loss over the two weeks as all 12 games finished in favor of the home clubs without any draws.

Of the unranked clubs, Puntarenas had a good two weeks of play, earning a pair of draws and a victory. They tied CCL club Saprissa at home and league leader Barrio Mexico on the road with identical 1-1 draws before downing Group A second-place club Cartagines, 2-0, vaulting the side up to 88.

TSB’s CONCACAF Pro Club Power Rankings

Through games of Monday, October 18 (Champions League - Group Stage clubs in yellow)

Rank . [Previous] … Club (League) … League Record W-D-L … Notes

1 . [1] … Monterrey (MEX) … 7-5-0 … 0-0 D @ America, 2-0 W v Toluca

2 . [2] … Real Salt Lake (MLS) … 15-10-4 … 0-0 D @ New York, 2-0 W v Dallas

3 . [4] … Cruz Azul (MEX) … 9-1-2 … 0-0 D @ Toluca, 3-0 W v Santos Laguna

4 . [3] … FC Dallas (MLS) … 12-14-3 … 2-2 D v Colorado, 0-2 L @ RSL

5 . [5] … America (MEX) … 4-5-3 … 0-0 D v Monterrey, 2-2 D @ Puebla

6 . [10] … Toluca (MEX) … 4-5-3 … 0-0 D v Cruz Azul, 0-2 L @ Monterrey

7 . [6] … Necaxa (MEX) … 3-4-5 … 1-0 W v Puebla, 0-1 L @ Chivas Guadalajara

8 . [7] … Santos Laguna (MEX) … 7-1-4 … 0-0 D @ Morelia, 0-3 L @ Cruz Azul

9 . [8] … New York Red Bulls (MLS) … 14-6-9 … 0-0 D v RSL, 1-2 L @ Philadelphia

10 . [9] … Chivas Guadalajara (MEX) … 3-6-3 … 0-1 L v Morelia, 2-2 D @ Quaretaro, 1-0 W v Necaxa

11 . [11] … Columbus Crew (MLS) … 13-8-8 … 0-2 L @ Chicago, 2-2 D @ Toronto

12 . [12] … Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) … 17-5-7 … 1-0 W @ Philadelphia, 1-3 L v Colorado

13 . [19] … Pachuca (MEX) … 4-4-4 … 3-2 W v Pumas, 1-1 D v Morelia

14 . [13] … Pumas UNAM (MEX) … 5-3-4 … 2-3 L @ Pachuca, 1-0 W v Jaguares

15 . [18] … Marathon (HON) … 5-4-1 … 2-2 D @ Hispana, 2-0 W @ Deportes Savio, 1-0 W v Platense

16 . [14] … Olimpia (HON) … 4-4-2 … 1-0 W v Vida, 4-1 W @ Hispano, 1-2 L v Victoria

17 . [16] … Tigres UANL (MEX) … 4-4-4 … 5-0 W v Estudiantes, 1-1 D @ Atlante

18 . [20] … Seattle Sounders (MLS) … 14-6-9 … 2-1 W @ Kansas City, 2-1 W v Chivas USA

19 . [27] … Colorado Rapids (MLS) … 12-9-8 … 2-2 D @ Dallas, 3-1 W @ Los Angeles

20 . [22] … Alajuelense (CRC) … 9-3-1 … 2-2 D @ Herediano, 3-0 W v U Costa Rica

21 . [23] … Morelia (MEX) … 4-3-5 … 1-0 W @ Guadalajara, 0-0 D v Santos, 1-1 D @ Pachuca

22 . [15] … Municipal (GUA) … 7-1-4 … 1-4 L @ U San Carlos, 4-0 W v Malacateco

23 . [21] … Jaguares Chiapas (MEX) … 4-4-4 … 2-0 W v Atlante, 0-1 L @ Pumas

24 . [17] … San Luis (MEX) … 6-1-5 … 1-2 L @ Atlas, 3-2 W v Queretaro

25 . [31] … New England Revolution (MLS) … 9-5-15 … 2-1 W @ Houston, 2-1 W v New York

26 . [24] … Barrio Mexico (CRC) … 7-4-2 … 1-1 D v Puntarenas, 2-3 L @ Limon

27 . [25] … San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) … 12-7-9 … 2-0 W @ DC, 0-1 L v Houston

28 . [26] … Toronto FC (MLS) … 8-8-13 … 0-3 L @ Chivas USA, 2-2 D v Columbus

29 . [28] … Queretaro (MEX) … 3-3-6 … 2-2 D v Guadalajara, 2-3 L @ San Luis

30 . [29] … Chicago Fire (MLS) … 8-9-12 … 2-0 W v Columbus, 0-2 L v Kansas City, 0-0 D v DC

31 . [30] … Puebla (MEX) … 4-3-5 … 0-1 L @ Necaxa, 2-2 D v America

32 . [37] … Puerto Rico Islanders (USSFD2) … 9-10-11 F … 3-2 Agg W v Rochester, 2-0 OT Agg W v Vancouver

33 . [32] … Kansas City Wizards (MLS) … 10-6-13 … 1-2 L v Seattle, 2-0 W @ Chicago, 0-1 L @ New England

34 . [33] … Estudiantes Tecos (MEX) … 3-3-6 … 0-5 L @ Tigres, 2-1 W v Atlas

35 . [35] … Atlas (MEX) … 2-2-8 … 2-1 W v San Luis, 1-2 L @ Estudiantes

36 . [39] … Carolina RailHawks (USSFD2) … 13-8-9 F … 4-0 Agg W v Minnesota, 2-1 Agg W v Montreal

37 . [34] … Atlante (MEX) … 2-3-7 … 0-2 L @ Jaguares, 1-1 D v Tigres

38 . [41] … Philadelphia Union (MLS) … 8-7-14 … 0-1 L v Los Angeles, 2-1 W v New York

39 . [47] … San Francisco (PAN) … 7-4-1 … 3-0 W v Chepo, 3-2 W @ Plaza Amador

40 . [36] … Montreal Impact (USSFD2) … 12-7-11 F … 5-2 Agg W v Austin, 1-2 Agg L v Carolina

41 . [38] … Vancouver Whitecaps (USSFD2) … 10-15-5 F … 2-1 Agg W v Portland, 0-2 OT Agg L v Puerto Rico

42 . [43] … Aribe Unido (PAN) … 6-3-3 … 1-0 W v Chorrillo, 2-1 W @ Chepo

43 . [40] … Necaxa (HON) … 4-3-4 … 0-1 L @ Motagua, 1-1 D v Real Espana

44 . [44] … Isidro Metapan (SLV) … 6-1-3 … 3-0 W v Alianza

45 . [46] … Houston Dynamo (MLS) … 8-6-15 … 1-2 L v New England, 1-0 W @ San Jose

46 . [50] … Rochester Rhinos (USSFD2) … 16-6-8 F … 2-3 Agg L v Puerto Rico

47 . [45] … Portland Timbers (USSFD2) … 13-10-7 F … 1-2 Agg L v Vancouver

48 . [48] … Motagua (HON) … 2-5-4 … 1-0 W v Necaxa, 0-2 L @ Hispano

49 . [42] … Austin Aztex (USSFD2) … 15-8-7 F … 2-5 Agg L v Montreal

50 . [49] … Chivas USA (MLS) … 8-4-16 … 3-0 W v Toronto, 1-2 L @ Seattle

51 . [53] … Real Espana (HON) … 5-4-2 … 1-0 W v Vida, 1-1 D @ Necaxa

52 . [55] … Tauro (PAN) … 6-4-2 … 3-2 W @ Sporting San Miguelito, 1-0 W v Atletico Veraguense

53 . [51] … Deportivo Saprissa (CRC) … 4-3-6 … 1-1 D @ Puntarenas, 3-1 W v Limon, 3-4 L @ Perez Zeledon

54 . [52] … Joe Public (TRI) … 5-4-1 F …

55 . [54] … Chorrillo (PAN) … 5-4-3 … 0-1 L @ Arabe Unido, 1-1 D v Sporting San Miguelito

56 . [56] … Marquense (GUA) … 6-3-3 … 1-0 W v Xinabajul, 1-2 L @ Xelaju

57 . [60] … Herediano (CRC) … 6-5-2 … 2-2 D v Alajuelense, 2-2 D @ Santos de Guapiles

58 . [61] … Firpo (SLV) … 5-3-2 … 1-0 W v FAS

59 . [57] … DC United (MLS) … 6-4-19 … 0-2 L v San Jose, 0-0 D @ Chicago

60 . [58] … Sporting San Miguelito (PAN) … 6-3-3 … 2-3 L v Tauro, 1-1 D v Sporting San Miguelito

61 . [59] … Alianza (SLV) … 5-4-2 … 2-0 W v Vista Hermosa, 0-3 L @ Isidro Metapan

62 . [64] … San Carlos (CRC) … 6-2-4 … 1-1 D @ U Costa Rica, 4-1 W v Brujas

63 . [62] … Santos de Guapiles (CRC) … 4-6-3 … 0-5 L @ Brujas, 2-2 D v Herediano

64 . [63] … Juventud Retalteca (GUA) … 5-3-4 … 1-3 L @ Malacateco, 1-0 W v Suchitepequez

65 . [65] … Comunicaciones (GUA) … 4-5-3 … 4-1 W v Heredia, 0-1 L @ Mictlan

66 . [69] … Mictlan (GUA) … 6-2-4 … 0-4 L @ Suchitepequez, 1-0 W v Comunicaciones

67 . [68] … Charleston Battery (USL2) … 11-5-4 F …

68 . [70] … Miami FC Blues (USSFD2) … 7-12-11 F …

69 . [79] … Victoria (HON) … 6-2-3 … 2-0 W v Platense, 2-1 W @ Olimpia

70 . [71] … Heredia (GUA) … 6-2-4 … 1-4 L @ Comunicaciones, 1-0 W v Penarol La Mesilla

71 . [72] … Defence Force (TRI) … 10-0-0 F …

72 . [73] … Aguila (SLV) … 5-2-3 … 1-1 D @ Vista Hermosa

73 . [66] … Deportes Savio (HON) … 3-4-4 … 0-2 L v Marathon, 2-4 L @ Vida

74 . [67] … Platense (HON) … 4-1-6 … 0-2 L @ Victoria, 0-1 L @ Marathon

75 . [74] … Richmond Kickers (USL2) … 9-6-5 F …

76 . [75] … San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) … 4-3-3 F …

77 . [76] … NSC Minnesota (USSFD2) … 11-7-12 F … 0-4 Agg L v Carolina

78 . [77] … Xinabajul (GUA) … 6-1-5 … 0-1 L @ Marquense, 2-1 W v U San Carlos

79 . [78] … Cartagines (CRC) … 5-4-4 … 1-0 W v Perez Zeledon, 0-2 L @ Puntarenas

80 . [80] … Vida (HON) … 4-2-5 … 0-1 L @ Olimpia, 0-1 L @ Real Espana, 4-2 W v Deportes Savio

81 . [84] … Perez Zeledon (CRC) … 4-2-7 … 0-1 L @ Cartagines, 4-3 W v Saprissa

82 . [81] … Malacateco (GUA) … 5-3-4 … 3-1 W v Juventud Retalteca, 0-4 L @ Municipal

83 . [87] … Once Municipal (SLV) … 3-5-3 … 1-1 D @ FAS, 1-0 W v U El Salvador

84 . [82] … Brujas (CRC) … 4-3-6 … 5-0 W v Santos de Guapiles, 1-4 L @ San Carlos

85 . [83] … Atletico Balboa (SLV) … 2-5-3 … 0-0 D @ Atletico Marte

86 . [85] … FAS (SLV) … 3-3-5 … 1-1 D v Once Municipal, 0-1 L @ Firpo

87 . [86] … Vista Hermosa (SLV) … 2-5-4 … 0-2 L @ Alianza, 1-1 D v Aguila

88 . [NR] … Puntarenas (CRC) … 3-3-7 … 1-1 D v Saprissa, 1-1 D @ Barrio Mexico, 2-0 W v Cartagines

89 . [88] … W Connection (TRI) … 5-2-3 F …

90 . [89] … Ma Pau (TRI) … 4-5-1 F …

91 . [91] … Limon (CRC) … 5-1-7 … 1-3 L @ Saprissa, 3-2 W v Barrio Mexico

92 . [93] … Alianza (PAN) … 3-3-6 … 1-1 D v Plaza Amador, 2-1 W v Atletico Chiriqui

93 . [90] … Universidad de El Salvador (SLV) … 2-4-5 … 0-1 L @ Once Municipal

94 . [96] … Plaza Amador (PAN) … 3-3-6 … 1-1 D @ Alianza, 2-3 L v San Francisco

95 . [97] … Xelaju (GUA) … 4-2-6 … 0-1 L @ Penarol La Mesilla, 2-1 W v Marquense

96 . [92] … Tampa Bay Rowdies (USSFD2) … 7-11-12 F …

97 . [94] … AC St Louis (USSFD2) … 7-8-15 F …

98 . [98] … Suchitepiquez (GUA) … 4-2-6 … 4-0 W v Mictlan, 0-1 L @ Juventud Retalteca

99 . [NR] … Atletico Veraguense (PAN) … 3-1-8 … 4-2 W @ Atletico Chiriqui, 0-1 L @ Tauro

100 . [NR] … Hispano (HON) … 1-3-7 … 2-2 D v Marathon, 1-4 L v Olimpia, 2-0 W v Motagua

Coming Up Around CONCACAF: USSF-D2 Playoffs Continue

2010-10-08T22:23:00.000-04:00

Although there is another international break at hand throughout FIFA, action around CONCACAF remains nearly in full swing as playoffs continue in USSF Division-2, the regular season winds down in Major League Soccer and parity reigns supreme in numerous Central American leagues.

The USSF-D2 postseason continues with the second legs of the quarterfinal series, three concluding on Saturday with future MLS clubs Vancouver and Portland finishing up with the fourth on Sunday. Meanwhile, the races of interest in the top flight are at the top of the league table with the composition of the playoff field nearly set mathematically. The marquee match is Saturday when two clubs vying for conference titles, New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake meet in the Big Apple.

In Mexico, the lone remaining unbeaten in CONCACAF, Monterrey, wraps up the action on Sunday on the road versus America, but the marquee contest features Champions League sides squaring off as Primera Group C leader Cruz Azul travels to play Group B leader Toluca earlier in the day.

In Costa Rica Saturday, Group B leaders square off when second-place Herediano, trailing by five points, hosts leader Alajuelense with a chance to make up more than half the deficit.

In El Salvador, most of the Primera Division has the week off with only two make-up matches on the docket, one featuring Alianza, one of three co-leaders, playing host to mid-table Vista Hermosa, which sits only six points back in a league where the top five clubs are only separated by three points.

Another league featuring a lot of parity is the Liga Nacional in Honduras where the top eight clubs are separated by only four points. Nearly every contest will play a role in determining the league leader come Monday. Real Espana, which leads by a single point, plays host to eighth-place Vida.

In Panama, where the top five clubs are in a five-point span of one another, league-leading Sporting San Miguelito plays host to fourth-place Tauro and third-place Chorrillo travels to play CCL side Arabe Unido, which is fifth.

Guatemala is observing the international break.

MIDWEEK MATCH RESULTS

Wednesday – USSF-D2 Quarterfinals Leg 1 Montreal Impact 2-0 Austin Aztex… NSC Minnesota Stars 0-0 Carolina RailHawks… Mexico Chivas Guadalajara 0-1 Morelia… Costa Rica Puntarenas 1-1 Saprissa… Guatemala Malacateco 3-1 Juventud Retalteca… Penarol La Mesilla 1-0 Xelaju… Comunicaciones 4-1 Heredia… Suchitepequez 4-0 Mictlan… Universidad San Carlos 4-1 Municipal... Honduras Hispano 2-2 Marathon -- Thursday – USSF-D2 Quarterfinals Leg 1 Puerto Rico Islanders 2-0 Rochester Rhinos… Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 Portland Timbers… MLS Philadelphia Union 0-1 Los Angeles Galaxy… Guatemala Marquense 1-0 Xinabajul… Honduras Olimpia 1-0 Vida

COMING UP AROUND CONCACAF

Friday, October 8

Major League Soccer: Columbus Crew @ Chicago Fire

Mexico: Puebla @ Necaxa

Saturday, October 9

USSF Division-2 Quarterfinals Leg 2: Puerto Rico Islanders @ Rochester Rhinos… NSC Minnesota Stars @ Carolina RailHawks… Montreal Impact @ Austin Aztex

Major League Soccer: Real Salt Lake @ New York Red Bulls… Colorado Rapids @ FC Dallas… San Jose Earthquakes @ DC United… Seattle Sounders @ Kansas City Wizards… Toronto FC @ Chivas USA

Mexico: Atlante @ Jaguares… Chivas Guadalajara @ Queretaro… Pumas UNAM @ Pachuca… Estudiantes Tecos @ Tigres UANL… San Luis @ Atlas

Costa Rica: Santos de Guapiles @ Brujas… Alajuelense @ Herediano

Honduras: Platense @ Victoria

Panama: Atletico Veraguense @ Atletico Chiriqui… Plaza Amador @ Alianza… Chepo @ San Francisco

Sunday, October 10

USSF Division-2 Quarterfinals Leg 2: Vancouver Whitecaps @ Portland Timbers

Major League Soccer: New England Revolution @ Houston Dynamo

Mexico: Cruz Azul @ Toluca… Santos Laguna @ Morelia… Monterrey @ America

Costa Rica: San Carlos @ Universidad de Costa Rica… Perez Zeledon @ Cartagines… Limon @ Saprissa… Puntarenas @ Barrio Mexico

El Salvador: Once Municipal @ FAS… Vista Hermosa @ Alianza

Honduras: Marathon @ Deportes Savio… Olimpia @ Hispano… Vida @ Real Espana… Necaxa @ Motagua

Panama: Tauro @ Sporting San Miguelito… Chorrillo @ Arabe Unido

Bad News for Top Seeds in USSF-D2 Playoffs

2010-10-08T07:10:00.002-04:00

It is not unusual for home field advantage to net a lead for lower seeds in a two-leg series, but the news coming out of the first two days of quarterfinal action in the USSF Division-2 postseason is not good news for three higher seeds who find themselves trailing by two goals on a rare start in the history of the second tier playoffs.

On Wednesday, the Montreal Impact (seeded 6) posted a 2-0 victory over visiting Austin Aztex (3) and the two Thursday matches also saw the home clubs Puerto Rico Islanders (8) and Vancouver Whitecaps (5) register identical 2-0 wins over the Rochester Rhinos (1) and Portland Timbers (4). NASL Conference winners Carolina RailHawks were the only club not to find themselves in the two-goal deficit, playing to a scoreless stalemate on the road against the NSC Minnesota Stars.

At first glance, the results seem fairly common and expected, but overall they ended up being historical. The outcomes marked the first time in league history that all of the visiting teams in an aggregate score series were shutout in the equivalent of the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. Since the aggregate score format was adopted in 2000, each of the previous 10 years saw at least one traveling team find the back of the net in the first leg.

The scoreless draw between Carolina and Minnesota was only the fifth occurrence in the equivalent series over the course of 11 years and 38 matches. The most recent two results in 2005 and 2003 saw the visiting clubs win the series on penalties after a draw in the second leg. In 2002, the home club won the second game by a single goal with two series scoreless after the initial leg.

But the historic nature of shutouts means little to Rochester, Austin and Portland heading into the weekend. The more important figure is the record of 14-0-3, the series results for the clubs leading by two goals after the first leg of an aggregate score series in the playoffs, regardless of which round. While clubs leading by two goals have lost six second-leg matches out of 17 series (8-3-6 in the second game, including series overtime) all-time since 2000, only three have seen the series turn in favor of the host club of the second leg.

The Rhinos are very familiar with one of the three dramatic turnarounds having been on the devastating side of it just two years ago against current foe Puerto Rico – the only occurrence since 2001. After posting a 2-0 victory at home, the Rhinos gave up two on the road as the Islanders forced series overtime and went on to nab the winner. Rochester, however, has led by a pair on two other occasions, winning both series despite suffering a one-goal second-leg loss in 2008 in the round before facing Puerto Rico. They also trailed by two once previously in 2005 against Richmond, earning a draw in the second leg as they exited the postseason.

Vancouver is well aware of what it is like on both sides of the coin as they were involved in the only other comebacks from a two-goal deficit. The Whitecaps were part of a memorable and historic series in the first year of the aggregate format in 2000 when they faced the defending champion Minnesota Thunder in the conference semifinals. Vancouver posted a 3-0 victory in the first leg, one of only three occasions in which a club led by more than two goals in an aggregate score series in the history of the playoffs - all of them, oddly, featuring the Whitecaps [Vancouver led Miami, 4-1, in 2006 and trailed Hershey, 4-0, in 2001]. At the National Sports Center, the Thunder made an amazing comeback with a 3-0 result in regulation to trigger overtime, where the history-making goal was scored by Morgan Zeba four minutes in. A year later, Vancouver used that experience to fuel a rally of their own at home after falling 2-0 to San Diego, topping the Flash 4-1 in the second leg to reach the semifinals.

Vancouver has been involved in seven of the 17 series featuring a two-goal margin or more, winning the series in four of the five in which they led (3-0-2 second leg record) and splitting the two series in which they trailed despite winning the second game in both.

Montreal has led two series by a pair of goals all-time, winning both series with a win and a draw in the two second-leg contests. Portland has led and trailed a series once each with the second leg and series results matching that of the first leg. Austin is making its postseason debut this year and Puerto Rico’s lone prior experience with a two-goal margin was the previously mentioned series against Rochester in which they rallied for a series win.

While the RailHawks were part of the scoreless affair, historically they have trailed by two on one occasion, falling in the second leg as well. The NSC Minnesota Stars are an expansion side, but their predecessors found themselves behind by at least a couple on three occasions, winning the series once (as detailed previously) and falling twice in the series with a win and loss in the second leg.

More numbers from the 17 all-time series with two-goal margins after first leg:

- The leading teams’ eight wins in the second leg were by one goal six times. Vancouver won the second leg by two in 2006 and four in 2002.

- Overtime was only needed on two occasions. Vancouver-Minnesota in 2000 and Rochester-Puerto Rico in 2008. None were decided by penalties.

- The largest lead after the first leg is four goals. The Hershey Wildcats (coached by current Rhinos coach Bob Lilley) led Vancouver, 4-0, and won the 2001 semifinal series despite falling in Vancouver, 1-0.

- The six teams to win the second leg after trailing were Charleston (2008), Puerto Rico (2008), Minnesota (2008, 2000), Vancouver (2001 twice).

- The only year in which no team registered at least a two-goal lead in a series was 2003.

- There has never been a scoreless draw in the second leg of the series.

- At least two goals were scored in 11 of the 17 second leg matches. (breakdown - 1 six times, 2 three times, 3 twice, 4 twice, 5 twice, 7 once, 8 once)

- The home team has scored in 13 of the 17 second leg games. The visiting team has scored in 12.

- The second leg goal total, including series overtime, surpassed the first game’s tally on eight occasions.

- 67 two-leg, aggregate score series have been played since 2000, including this year.

TSB Pro Power Rankings: Monterrey Lone Unbeaten

2010-10-07T18:57:00.000-04:00

It has been a busy couple of weeks with a Tropical Depression disrupting play in Central America while the region’s top clubs squared off in two rounds of CONCACAF Champions League group play, the USSF Division-2 regular season came to an end and the US Open Cup crowned a champion.

A slip-up by Cruz Azul opened the door for Monterrey, the lone remaining unbeaten club in CONCACAF after Alajuelense’s loss, to move to the top spot in The Soccer Barn Pro Club Power Rankings with MLS clubs Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas right behind in the next two spots. The Mexican club is also unbeaten in the CCL. Previously fourth, Toluca dropped to 10 with a rough couple weeks that saw them fall twice on the road in the CCL and away in league play against CCL club Santos Laguna.

Olimpia of Honduras was one of the victors against Toluca, using the 2-1 win against the Mexicans along with another CCL win and a 2-0 victory over domestic league leader Necaxa to jump from 38 to 14.

Although playoffs are not in New England’s future, the club made strides in the rankings courtesy of draws against two of the league’s top teams, Dallas and CCL side Columbus, and a narrow loss to another CCL club, RSL. Previously winless Mexican club Atlas also made a similar jump from 46 to 35 by picking up its first win against Puebla and then posting a draw against Chivas Guadalajara.

Right behind Atlas are the Montreal Impact, who climbed up from 51 with a pair of shutout wins against conference title contenders Vancouver and Austin that spoiled the bids by both sides to claim top seeds in the postseason. Although Miami missed the postseason, the Blues finished the season well with a victory over regular season champion Rochester and a draw against CCL club Puerto Rico to help them move from 86 to 70.

TSB’s CONCACAF Pro Club Power Rankings

Through games of Tuesday, October 5 (Champions League - Group Stage clubs in yellow)

Rank . [Previous] … Club (League) … League Record W-D-L … Notes

1 . [2] … Monterrey (MEX) … 6-4-0 … 0-0 D @ Queretaro, 2-1 W v Necaxa, CCL 3-2 W v Seattle, 2-2 D @ Saprissa

2 . [3] … Real Salt Lake (MLS) … 14-9-4 … 1-1 D v Colorado, 2-1 W @ New England, CCL 3-2 W @ Arabe Unido, 1-1 D @ Toronto

3 . [5] … FC Dallas (MLS) … 12-13-2 … 2-2 D v New England, 3-1 W @ Kansas City, 3-0 W v Chicago

4 . [1] … Cruz Azul (MEX) … 8-0-2 … 1-2 L @ Necaxa, 1-0 W v America, CCL 0-0 D v Toronto, 2-0 W v Arabe Unido

5 . [7] … America (MEX) … 4-3-3 … 3-2 W v Santos, 0-1 L @ Cruz Azul

6 . [8] … Necaxa (MEX) … 2-4-4 … 2-1 W v Cruz Azul, 1-2 L @ Monterrey

7 . [6] … Santos Laguna (MEX) … 7-0-3 … 2-3 L @ America, 2-0 W v Toluca, CCL 0-1 L @ Columbus, 5-1 W v Joe Public

8 . [11] … New York Red Bulls (MLS) … 14-5-8 … 2-0 W @ Los Angeles, 1-0 W v Kansas City

9 . [14] … Chivas Guadalajara (MEX) … 2-5-2 … 1-1 D @ Tigres UANL, 2-2 D v Atlas

10 . [4] … Toluca (MEX) … 4-4-2 … 2-1 W @ Morelia, 0-2 L @ Santos, CCL 1-2 L @ Olimpia, 2-3 L @ PR

11 . [16] … Columbus Crew (MLS) … 13-7-7 … 2-2 D @ New England, 0-0 D v San Jose, CCL 1-0 W v Santos, 1-2 L @ Municipal, USOC 1-2 L @ Seattle

12 . [13] … Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) … 16-5-6 … 0-2 L v New York, 2-1 W @ Chivas USA

13 . [15] … Pumas UNAM (MEX) … 4-3-3 … 2-2 D v Atlante, 1-0 W v Morelia

14 . [38] … Olimpia (HON) … 2-4-1 … 2-0 W @ Necaxa, CCL 2-1 W v Toluca, 4-1 W @ FAS

15 . [19] … Municipal (GUA) … 6-1-3 … 3-0 W v Penarol LM, 0-1 L @ Marquense, CCL 3-2 W @ Joe Public, 2-1 W v Columbus

16 . [9] … Tigres UANL (MEX) … 3-3-4 … 1-1 D v Chivas Guadalajara, 0-1 L @ San Luis

17 . [10] … San Luis (MEX) … 5-1-4 … 1-2 L @ Jaguares, 1-0 W v Tigres

18 . [17] … Marathon (HON) … 3-3-1 … 5-1 W v Victoria, CCL 2-1 W v Saprissa, 0-2 L @ Seattle

19 . [23] … Pachuca (MEX) … 3-3-4 … 3-1 W v Estudiantes Tecos, 3-1 W @ Atlante

20 . [29] … Seattle Sounders (MLS) … 12-6-9 … 1-0 W @ Chicago, 3-2 W v Toronto, CCL 2-3 L @ Monterrey, 2-0 W v Marathon, USOC 2-1 W v Columbus

21 . [22] … Jaguares Chiapas (MEX) … 3-4-3 … 2-1 W v San Luis, 0-0 D @ Estudiantes Tecos

22 . [12] … Alajuelense (CRC) … 8-2-1 … 0-0 D @ Santos de Guapiles, 0-1 L v San Carlos

23 . [18] … Morelia (MEX) … 3-1-5 … 1-2 L v Toluca, 0-1 L @ Pumas UNAM

24 . [35] … Barrio Mexico (CRC) … 7-3-1 … 0-0 D @ Cartagines, 1-1 D @ Perez Zeledon

25 . [20] … San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) … 11-7-8 … 3-2 W @ Toronto, 0-3 L v Chicago, 0-0 D @ Columbus

26 . [21] … Toronto FC (MLS) … 8-7-12 … 2-3 L v San Jose, 2-3 L @ Seattle, CCL 0-0 D @ Cruz Azul, 1-1 D v RSL

27 . [34] … Colorado Rapids (MLS) … 11-8-8 … 1-1 D @ RSL, 4-1 W v Philadelphia, 0-1 L v DC

28 . [31] … Queretaro (MEX) … 3-2-5 … 0-0 D v Monterrey, 0-2 L @ Puebla

29 . [36] … Chicago Fire (MLS) … 7-8-11 … 0-1 L v Seattle, 3-0 W @ San Jose, 0-3 L @ Dallas

30 . [37] … Puebla (MEX) … 4-2-4 … 0-1 L @ Atlas, 2-0 W v Queretaro

31 . [37] … New England Revolution (MLS) … 7-5-15 … 2-2 D @ Dallas, 2-2 D v Columbus, 1-2 L v Real Salt Lake

32 . [30] … Kansas City Wizards (MLS) … 9-6-11 … 4-3 W v Houston, 1-3 L v Dallas, 0-1 L @ New York

33 . [32] … Estudiantes Tecos (MEX) … 2-3-5 … 1-3 L @ Pachuca, 0-0 D v Jaguares

34 . [33] … Atlante (MEX) … 2-2-6 … 2-2 D @ Pumas UNAM, 1-3 L v Pachuca

35 . [46] … Atlas (MEX) … 1-2-7 … 1-0 W v Puebla, 2-2 D v Chivas Guadalajara

36 . [51] … Montreal Impact (USSFD2) … 12-7-11 … 1-0 W @ Vancouver, 2-0 W v Austin

37 . [34] … Puerto Rico Islanders (USSFD2) … 9-10-11 … 1-2 L @ Carolina, 1-1 D @ Miami, CCL 0-0 D @ FAS, 3-2 W v Toluca

38 . [38] … Vancouver Whitecaps (USSFD2) … 10-15-5 … 0-1 L v Montreal, 2-2 D v Portland

39 . [60] … Carolina RailHawks (USSFD2) … 13-8-9 … 2-1 W v Puerto Rico, 3-1 W v Austin

40 . [39] … Necaxa (HON) … 4-2-3 … 2-1 W v Platense, 0-2 L v Olimpia

41 . [40] … Philadelphia Union (MLS) … 7-7-13 … 3-0 W v Chivas USA, 1-4 L @ Colorado, 1-1 D v Houston

42 . [35] … Austin Aztex (USSFD2) … 15-8-7 … 4-2 W v St Louis, 1-3 L @ Carolina, 0-2 L @ Montreal

43 . [36] … Aribe Unido (PAN) … 4-3-3 … 0-0 D @ Atletico Veraguense, 1-3 L @ Tauro, CCL 2-3 L v RSL, 0-2 L @ Cruz Azul

44 . [41] … Isidro Metapan (SLV) … 5-1-3 … 0-3 L @ Atletico Balboa

45 . [42] … Portland Timbers (USSFD2) … 13-10-7 … 3-1 W @ Baltimore, 2-2 D @ Vancouver

46 . [47] … Houston Dynamo (MLS) … 7-6-14 … 3-4 L @ Kansas City, 3-1 W @ DC, 1-1 D @ Philadelphia

47 . [52] … San Francisco (PAN) … 5-4-1 … 2-1 W @ Tauro, 1-1 D @ Chorrillo

48 . [43] … Motagua (HON) … 1-5-3 … 1-2 L @ Victoria, 2-2 D v Deportes Savio

49 . [44] … Chivas USA (MLS) … 7-4-15 … 0-3 L @ Philadelphia, 1-2 L v Los Angeles

50 . [48] … Rochester Rhinos (USSFD2) … 16-6-8 … 0-1 L @ Miami, 2-1 W @ St Louis

51 . [49] … Deportivo Saprissa (CRC) … 3-2-5 … 1-2 L v Cartagines, CCL 1-2 L @ Marathon, 2-2 D v Monterrey

52 . [50] … Joe Public (TRI) … 5-4-1 F … CCL 2-3 L v Municipal, 1-5 L @ Santos Laguna

53 . [57] … Real Espana (HON) … 4-3-2 … 3-3 D v Deportes Savio, 2-1 W @ Platense

54 . [62] … Chorrillo (PAN) … 5-3-2 … 1-0 W v Alianza, 1-1 D v San Francisco

55 . [54] … Tauro (PAN) … 4-4-2 … 1-2 L v San Francisco, 3-1 W v Arabe Unido

56 . [55] … Marquense (GUA) … 5-3-2 … 0-3 L @ Juventud Retalteca, 1-0 W v Municipal

57 . [59] … DC United (MLS) … 6-3-18 … 1-3 L v Houston, 1-0 W @ Colorado

58 . [70] … Sporting San Miguelito (PAN) … 6-2-2 … 5-1 W v Atletico Chiriqui, 3-1 W @ Atletico Veraguense

59 . [66] … Alianza (SLV) … 4-4-1 … 5-0 W v Firpo

60 . [63] … Herediano (CRC) … 6-3-2 … 3-0 W @ San Carlos, 1-1 D v Brujas

61 . [53] … Firpo (SLV) … 4-3-2 … 0-5 L @ Alianza

62 . [65] … Santos de Guapiles (CRC) … 4-5-2 … 0-0 D v Alajuelense, 2-0 W v UCR

63 . [56] … Juventud Retalteca (GUA) … 4-3-3 … 3-0 W v Marquense, 1-2 L @ Universidad San Carlos

64 . [67] … San Carlos (CRC) … 5-1-4 … 0-3 L v Herediano, 1-0 W v Alajuelense

65 . [58] … Comunicaciones (GUA) … 3-5-2 … 0-1 L @ Xinabajul, 1-1 D v Xelaju

66 . [74] … Deportes Savio (HON) … 3-4-2 … 3-3 D @ Real Espana, 2-2 D @ Motagua

67 . [45] … Platense (HON) … 4-1-4 … 1-2 L @ Necaxa, 1-2 L v Real Espana

68 . [61] … Charleston Battery (USL2) … 11-5-4 F …

69 . [73] … Mictlan (GUA) … 5-2-3 … 1-1 D @ Xelaju, 2-0 W v Heredia

70 . [86] … Miami FC Blues (USSFD2) … 7-12-11 … 4-2 W v St Louis, 1-0 W v Rochester, 1-1 D v Puerto Rico

71 . [64] … Heredia (GUA) … 5-2-3 … 2-1 W v Suchitepequez, 0-2 L @ Mictlan

72 . [68] … Defence Force (TRI) … 10-0-0 F …

73 . [69] … Aguila (SLV) … 5-1-3 … 1-0 W v Once Municipal

74 . [71] … Richmond Kickers (USL2) … 9-6-5 F …

75 . [72] … San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) … 4-3-3 F …

76 . [77] … NSC Minnesota (USSFD2) … 11-7-12 … 3-1 W @ Tampa Bay

77 . [79] … Xinabajul (GUA) … 5-1-4 … 1-0 W v Comunicaciones, 0-0 D @ Penarol La Mesilla

78 . [92] … Cartagines (CRC) … 4-4-3 … 0-0 D v Barrio Mexico, 2-1 W @ Saprissa

79 . [75] … Victoria (HON) … 4-2-3 … 2-1 W v Motagua, 1-5 L @ Marathon

80 . [76] … Vida (HON) … 3-2-3 … 4-2 W v Hispano

81 . [80] … Malacateco (GUA) … 4-3-3 … 2-1 W v Universidad San Carlos, 0-0 D @ Suchitepequez

82 . [78] … Brujas (CRC) … 3-3-5 … 0-1 L v UCR, 1-1 D @ Herediano

83 . [91] … Atletico Balboa (SLV) … 2-4-3 … 1-1 D @ Universidad de El Salvador, 3-0 W v Isidro Metapan

84 . [100] … Perez Zeledon (CRC) … 3-2-6 … 2-1 W v Limon, 1-1 D v Barrio Mexico

85 . [93] … FAS (SLV) … 3-2-4 … 1-0 W v Vista Hermosa, 5-0 W v Firpo, CCL 0-0 D v Puerto Rico, 1-4 L v Olimpia

86 . [81] … Vista Hermosa (SLV) … 2-4-3 … 0-1 L @ FAS

87 . [82] … Once Municipal (SLV) … 2-4-3 … 0-1 L @ Aguila

88 . [84] … W Connection (TRI) … 5-2-3 F …

89 . [85] … Ma Pau (TRI) … 4-5-1 F …

90 . [98] … Universidad de El Salvador (SLV) … 2-4-4 … 1-1 D v Atletico Balboa, 2-2 D v Atletico Marte

91 . [89] … Limon (CRC) … 4-1-6 … 1-2 L @ Perez Zeledon, 4-1 W v Puntarenas

92 . [87] … Tampa Bay Rowdies (USSFD2) … 7-11-12 … 1-3 L v Minnesota, 6-3 W Baltimore

93 . [99] … Alianza (PAN) … 2-2-6 … 0-1 L @ Chorrillo, 2-0 W @ Chepo

94 . [83] … AC St Louis (USSFD2) … 7-8-15 … 2-4 L @ Miami, 2-4 L @ Austin, 1-2 L v Rochester

95 . [88] … Chepo (PAN) … 3-3-4 … 0-0 D v Plaza Amador, 0-2 L v Alianza

96 . [95] … Plaza Amador (PAN) … 3-2-5 … 0-0 D @ Chorrillo, 2-1 W v Atletico Chiriqui

97 . [NR] … Xelaju (GUA) … 3-2-5 … 1-1 D v Mictlan, 1-1 D @ Comunicaciones

98 . [94] … Suchitepiquez (GUA) … 3-2-5 … 1-2 L @ Heredia, 0-0 D v Malacateco

99 . [96] … Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL2) … 7-8-5 F …

100 . [90] … Atletico Chiriqui (PAN) … 2-4-4 … 1-5 L @ Sporting San Miguelito, 1-2 L @ Plaza Amador

USSF Division-2 Playoff Preview

2010-10-06T07:33:00.000-04:00

Many more eyes will be on the USSF Division-2 playoffs this year with expansion coming to Major League Soccer over the next two years with Portland and Vancouver moving on after this season and Montreal the following year. In addition to those clubs bringing current players with them, the act of expansion will increase the number of roster spaces available, making players throughout the second tier a valuable resource that must thoroughly be researched.

Beyond that, there is intrigue in this particular playoff as the Portland Timbers are entering the playoffs still without a professional league championship to its credit through its previous NASL days and with its current second division franchise. With Montreal winning the title last year and Vancouver the season before, they both join the Seattle Sounders as expansion clubs that have won a second division title within three years of their debut in the top flight. The Timbers have three weeks to eliminate themselves as the exception in that rare statistic.

The playoffs look to be as exciting as usual with most of the top seeds entering the postseason with comparatively poorer runs of form in contrast to the lower seeds, who are among the hottest in the league right now. Last year, Montreal won the championship as the number five seed in the playoffs.

(1) Rochester Rhinos v Puerto Rico Islanders (8)
Thursday @ Puerto Rico (9-10-11); Saturday @ Rochester (16-6-8)

While the series is a headliner for pitting the regular season champion versus stars of the CONCACAF Champions League, the two clubs are familiar foes when it comes to postseason entanglements. Rochester snapped a drought with its first league championship since 2002 by finishing atop the table this season, and will now be looking to end a two-year postseason losing streak at the hands of Puerto Rico. In 2008, the Islanders rallied from a two-goal deficit in the Semifinals to tie the Rhinos and force series overtime, where they advanced 3-2 on aggregate to the championship match. Last year the two sides met in the opening Quarterfinal round as well. Rochester led once again, 2-1, after the opening leg at home only to see Puerto Rico rally with a 4-1 victory in the second leg to take the series, 5-3.

Neither side is coming into the series on particularly great form in league play. The Rhinos have won just two of the past five matches (2-0-3) while the Islanders have just one win in the last seven (1-2-4). The Rhinos won, 2-1, in St Louis this past weekend after dropping two consecutive home and away to Miami. Puerto Rico had its own troubles against Miami with a 1-1 draw on the weekend, but the result came on the heels of a stunning come-from-behind victory, 3-2, against Mexican side Toluca Wednesday in the Champions League after trailing by two goals.

Rochester has been formidable at home of late, 2-1 Miami loss aside last time out, with four wins in the last five games and an aggregate score of 10-4. Away from home, the Rhinos have done fairly well with five wins in the last eight, but one of the three losses came in Puerto Rico, 1-3. Although Puerto Rico’s home record in the Champions League has been impressive this year (2-1-1) with the lone loss coming at the hands of the Los Angeles Galaxy in a series they handily controlled from the stunning opening leg win in California, the Islanders have not been as dominant in league play with just two wins in the last six (2-2-2). On the road, league wins have been even harder to come by with only two on the season. However, they have not been an easy beat either with all seven road draws coming in the last 10 games with only two losses, both by one goal.

Head-to-head, the two clubs each posted a big victory at home with the Islanders winning, 3-1, July 24 and the Rhinos taking the June 26 meeting, 3-0. Over two months, though, has passed since the last meeting.

(2) Carolina RailHawks v NSC Minnesota Stars (7)
Wednesday @ Minnesota (11-7-12); Saturday @ Carolina (13-8-9)

The series creates an interesting dynamic as the RailHawks have a minimal playoff history in its previous three seasons while the NSC Minnesota Stars are in their first year. The National Sports Center, however, has seen plenty of playoff history courtesy of the clubs predecessor Minnesota Thunder, who were four-time finalists and the 1999 league champion. Carolina’s two forays, though, through its first three years of existence have resulted in opening round Quarterfinal exits last year and in its inaugural 2007 campaign. Last season, eventual finalist Vancouver edged the RailHawks with a single goal at home followed by a scoreless stalemate. In 2007, the eventual champion Seattle Sounders won, 2-0, in Carolina before wrapping the series up with a 1-0 home win.

After suffering three consecutive shutout losses, Minnesota stormed into the postseason with four straight victories, including a pair of 1-0 wins against NASL Conference leaders Vancouver and Carolina. They gave up just one goal in that span with the lone blemish coming in the finale two weeks ago on the road in Tampa. Carolina made a dash to capture the conference title with just one loss in the last six games (4-1-1), including three straight wins to finish the season that included victories against playoff sides Puerto Rico and Austin.

Carolina’s lone defeat in that span, however, came in a 1-0 decision on the road against Minnesota. It gave the new club a sweep on the season in the head-to-head series, having also posted a 1-0 road victory in their second match in club history.

Minnesota struggled to find wins at home over the final portion of the season before posting the victories over Carolina and Vancouver in the final two, ending a four game winless run (0-2-2). Meanwhile, the road was a different story as they dropped just one match in the last nine (4-4-1) away from home, a 2-0 defeat in Austin. Carolina’s last nine at home has seen just two losses (5-2-2) with a four-game unbeaten run (3-1-0) heading into the playoffs. Unlike Minnesota, the road has not been so kind with three wins and four defeats in the last seven, but all four losses were one-goal decisions.

(3) Austin Aztex v Montreal Impact (6)
Wednesday @ Montreal (12-7-11); Saturday @ Austin (15-8-7)

The Aztex are making their postseason debut facing one of only three clubs to win the league championship three times, including last year. While Austin enters the series as the number three seed due to the playoff format, the club finished second overall one point back of Rochester.

The head-to-head is an immediate factor in the series with the two clubs entering the match on the heels of facing one another to close the season. Montreal blanked the visiting Aztex, 2-0, in the league’s regular season finale Sunday, a reversal of the same scoreline from when the two met in Austin on opening weekend of the league schedule.

While Austin may be the higher seed entering the postseason, the fortunes of the two clubs have late have been the complete opposite. Austin has limped into the playoffs with just one win in the last six games (1-1-4) and the lone victory coming against St Louis, which missed the postseason. Montreal, on the other hand, has lost only once in its last seven games (6-0-1) with an aggregate score of 15-3 over that span.

Montreal’s good form has been consistent home and away of late as well with a run of 3-0-1 coming into the playoffs at home and a record of 3-0-1 in its last four away from home. Most of Austin’s poor form of late could be attributed to a travel-heavy schedule that has seen them play seven of the last nine on the road with a record of 0-3-4 in that span, which is an part of a larger nine-game road winless stretch (0-4-5). Meanwhile, the club is on a eight-game unbeaten run (7-1-0) at home with a six-game winning streak heading into the playoffs.

(4) Portland Timbers v Vancouver Whitecaps (5)
Thursday @ Vancouver (10-15-5); Sunday @ Portland (13-10-7)

The other headline series that will likely get the most attention with both clubs heading to Major League Soccer next year, two sides will pick up where they finished the season as the two met to close the season Saturday in a 2-2 draw north of the border. The draw foiled Vancouver’s bid to win the NASL Conference and earn the number two seed in the playoffs as well as gave Portland the season series with two wins and two draws.

Head-to-head, Vancouver has led in the last two meetings, but has been unable to hold on for the win. Prior to this past weekend’s draw, the Whitecaps fell at home, 2-1, to Portland in the second of two July contests. The other was a scoreless draw in Portland. The first match was also a 2-1 win for the Timbers at home.

The long-time rivals have met in the postseason three times previously, including two of the last three years. Last season eighth-seeded Vancouver got out to a 2-1 lead at home and held on to advance from the semifinal series, en route to reaching the championship game, by posting a dramatic 3-3 draw in Portland against the regular season champions. In 2007, Vancouver also got off to a good start with a 1-0 win at home, but Portland rebounded with a 3-0 victory in the second leg to advance to the Semifinals. The first postseason meeting came in the 2002 Western Conference First Round in which Vancouver earned a pair of 1-0 decisions to advance.

The two clubs enter the playoffs running on differing trends as Portland is unbeaten in its last 10 games (6-4-0) while Vancouver has just one win in its final seven (1-4-2). The lone victory for the Whitecaps came against last-place Baltimore, the only club in its final six games that is not in the playoffs.

Portland has been successful home and away down the stretch with a run of six unbeaten (3-3-0) at home as well as on the road (4-2-0) with an aggregate score of 9-3 at home and a surprising 8-3 aggregate on the road during those runs, which included four consecutive shutouts on the road. Vancouver, on the other hand, is winless in its last six at home (0-4-2) with only one win in the last nine (1-6-2). They have been better, in comparison, on the road with a record of 4-4-1 in the last nine.

Central America Round-Up: No More Unbeatens

2010-10-05T17:39:00.000-04:00

The last unbeaten club in Central America is no more as Costa Rica’s Alajuelense suffered its first loss of the campaign, falling at home to mid-table San Carlos, leaving Mexico’s Monterrey as the only remaining unbeaten club in current league play throughout CONCACAF.

The loss by Alajuelense was the only upset in Costa Rica while there was upheaval in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama this week. New leaders moved to the top of the table in each of the leagues with the exclusion of Guatemala, where the parity only increased with the mid-table clubs getting more positive results in comparison to those at the top.

COSTA RICA

It was quite the eventful week as league leader Alajuelense suffered its first loss of the campaign, falling surprisingly at home to San Carlos, 1-0, in its second consecutive game without scoring. Barrio Mexico, leaders in the other group, were unable to take advantage to pull even in the overall table, playing to a 1-1 draw on the road against 11th-place Perez Zeledon. Barrio Mexico led on a first-half goal, but a send-off five minutes into the second half allowed the hosts to score six minutes later. The match that raised eyebrows though was Puntarenas visiting Limon. The 4-1 affair in favor of the hosts featured four penalty kicks with Limon’s Kurt Bernard picking up a hat-trick entirely from the spot. Meanwhile, Saprissa’s stuggles continued, falling to Cartagines, second in the group, at home, 2-1, days after a positive 2-2 draw at home against Mexico’s Monterrey in the Champions League.

Sunday, October 3

Perez Zeledon 1-1 Barrio Mexico
Scoring – PZ: Daniel Arce 56… BM: Jorge Barbosa 17

Alajuelense 0-1 San Carlos
Scoring – SC: Kenny Cunningham 18

Santos de Guapiles 2-0 Universidad de Costa Rica
Scoring – SG: Daniel Colindres 9, Andrey Gonzalez 89

Herediano 1-1 Brujas
Scoring – HER: Victor Nunez 5… BRU: Jorge Arias 86

Limon 4-1 Puntarenas
Scoring – LIM: Kurt Bernard pen 29, pen 81, pen 86, Dave Myrie 76… PUN: Rafael Rodriguez pen 37

Deportivo Saprissa 1-2 Cartagines
Scoring – SAP: Jairo Arrieta 25… CAR: Randall Brenes pen 38, 45

EL SALVADOR

Things were turned upside down in the Primera Division as the top two clubs Isidro Metapan and Firpo were both defeated, allowing Alianza and Aguila to move into a three-way tie with Metapan at the top. Metapan fell on the road, 3-0, to Atletico Balboa, which was led by a Cristian Bautista brace. Firpo also lost away from home in a 5-0 drubbing by Alianza, which got a pair of goals from Willer Souza and Rodolfo Zelaya in the first nine minutes. Both added another in the second half as Alianza ran away with the match. Aguila were narrow 1-0 winners at home versus Once Municipal as Sunday’s action saw all four home teams win by an aggregate shutout score of 10-0 while Saturday’s lone fixtured featured a 2-2 draw between host Universidad de El Salvador and last-place Atletico Marte.

Saturday, October 2

Universidad de El Salvador 2-2 Atletico Marte
Scoring – UES: Ramiro Carballo 27, Oscar Navarro 63… AM: Jose Garcia 48, Glauber Da Silva 57

Sunday, October 3

Atletico Balboa 3-0 Isidro Metapan
Scoring – AB: Cristian Bautista 20, 57, Juan Campos 59

FAS 1-0 Vista Hermosa
Scoring – FAS: Alejandro Bentos 68

Aguila 1-0 Once Municipal
Scoring – AGU: Nelson Reyes 47

Alianza 5-0 Firpo
Scoring – ALI: Willer Souza 5, 47, Rodolfo Zelaya 9, 56, Jose Oliveira 77

GUATEMALA

Parity continued with league leaders Municipal and Juventud Retalteca each losing on the road and three matches featuring mid-table clubs all finished level. The gap between first and second remained the same, but with Marguense posting the win over Municipal, they join Juventud Retalteca, 2-1 losers on the road to last-place Universidad San Carlos, in second, where they sit only four points ahead of 10th. USC posted the surprising win, coming from behind in the final 15 minutes on a pair of goals from former MLS player Andy Herron.

Saturday, October 2

Comunicaciones 1-1 Xelaju
Scoring – COM: Rolando Fonseca pen 65… XEL: Edgar Cotto 75

Sunday, October 3

Marquense 1-0 Municipal
Scoring – MAR: Joaquin Alvarez 16

Mictlan 2-0 Heredia
Scoring – MIC: Carlos Asprilla 47, Allan Lemus 80

Suchitepequez 0-0 Malacateco

Penarol La Mesilla 0-0 Xinabajul

Universidad San Carlos 2-1 Juventud Retalteca
Scoring – USC: Andy Herron 74, 79… JR: Igor de Souza 67

HONDURAS

The Liga Nacional was another league with parity, which only increased this week with the results from two rounds worth of action played in the span of five days due to the midweek insert of matches postponed the previous week. The top four clubs in the table by the close of action Sunday were 3-1-4 for the week as the clubs in the next four spots were 3-2-0, creating a log-jam in which the top eight clubs are separated by only five points. And ninth-place Motagua is also only seven points back of leader Real Espana, which picked up four points on the week to move into first. Previous leader Platense suffered two defeats, falling to second place Necaxa, 2-1, on Wednesday and at home Sunday to new leader Real Espana by the same score. With games still to make up, CCL clubs Marathon and Olimpia each won, erasing some of their deficit.

Wednesday, September 29

Necaxa 2-1 Platense
Scoring – NEC: Ruben Licona 54, 84… PLA: Elroy Kuylen 18

Real Espana 3-3 Deportes Savio
Scoring – RE: Maynor Martinez 9, Mario Martinez 23, Douglas Caetano 60… DS: Elroy Smith 53, Francisco Lopez 65, Edilson Pereira 68

Victoria 2-1 Motagua
Scoring – VIC: Saul Martinez 1, Victor Mena 43… MOT: George Welcome 38

Saturday, October 2

Vida 4-2 Hispano
Scoring – VID: Jerry Bengtson 30, 91+, Francisco Pavon 67, Mario Chavez 89… HIS: Lester Macias 45, Raul Morales 69

Sunday, October 3

Motagua 2-2 Deportes Savio
Scoring – MOT: Jorge Claros 43, 86… DS: Carlos Solorzano 10, Ney Costa 66

Marathon 5-1 Victoria
Scoring – MAR: Rony Flores 6, 65, Carlos Will 15, Mario Berrios 66, Randy Diamond 77… VIC: Saul Martinez 8

Necaxa 0-2 Olimpia
Scoring – OLI: Ramiro Bruschi 4, Danilo Turcios 27

Platense 1-2 Real Espana
Scoring – PLA: Christian Pereyra 20… RE: Eder Delgado 22, Sergio Bica 35

PANAMA

Four clubs within the top half of the table squared off against one another this week in Panama, resulting in some switches in the order. Leader San Francisco rallied from a goal down and a man short to salvage a 90th-minute 1-1 draw with second-place Chorrillo, who were two points back, allowing third-place Sporting San Miguelito to use a 3-1 road win over last-place Atletico Veraguense to move to the top of the table by a point. Fourth and fifth switched places with Tauro defeating CCL club Arabe Unido, 3-1. While five points separates the top five now, a four-point margin has now appeared between fifth and sixth as the top half of the table is beginning to pull away. Plaza Amador, however, is tied for sixth and is unbeaten in the past three outings.

Friday, October 1

Atletico Veraguense 1-3 Sporting San Miguelito
Scoring – AV: Marcos Aparicio pen 85… SSM: Alberto Zapata 6, 33, Ricardo Harper 75

Plaza Amador 2-1 Atletico Chiriqui
Scoring – PA: Ricardo Buitrago pen 43, Raul Moreno 85… AC: Gabriel Avila 33

Saturday, October 2

Chepo 0-2 Alianza
Scoring – ALI: Cesar Medina 87, Eduameth Nimbley 89

Sunday, October 3

Chorrillo 1-1 San Francisco
Scoring – CHO: Alberto Blanco 59… SF: Boris Alfaro 90

Tauro 3-1 Arabe Unido
Scoring – TAU: Eduardo Dasent 30, Luis Renteria 37, Marcos Sanchez 69… AU: Own goal 4

North America Round-Up: Rhinos Back on Top

2010-10-04T21:11:00.000-04:00

For the first time since 2002, the Rochester Rhinos, one of the most successful second division clubs in North American history, claimed a league championship, capturing the regular season title with a victory in St Louis along with a little help from a longtime rival. It marked the end of an eventful week as USSF Division-2 wrapped up the regular season. Just days earlier, the playoff-bound Puerto Rico Islanders also registered another monumental victory in the CONCACAF Champions League, coming back from a two-goal deficit against Mexican club Toluca to post a stunning 3-2 victory. The two clubs will clash in the Quarterfinals as the postseason opens this week during the two-week break in CCL play.

Similarly, Major League Soccer the focus on the action is turning toward the top of the conference tables as the margin in the race for the playoffs is becoming increasingly staunch for those outside the zone. But with the playoffs several weeks away, the CCL was a large focus for a Real Salt Lake and Columbus, which is also primed for the US Open Cup Championship against the Sounders in Seattle Tuesday night.

South of the border, form held for the league leaders in the Mexican Primera.

Major League Soccer

It was a busy week for MLS clubs as eight teams played twice, four of them in Champions League play. The other four met in a pair of Wednesday evening league matches that saw the Colorado Rapids roll, 4-1, with a pair of goals from Omar Cummings against visiting Philadelphia and the Chicago Fire romp on the road, 3-0, in San Jose.

Colorado’s high, though, was short-lived as DC United came into town and posted a stunning 1-0 upset on a 45th minute goal from Danny Allsopp. Chicago also saw their fortunes turn as they fell, 3-0, on the road to FC Dallas on a historic evening at Frisco Park. The victory marked the 18th consecutive unbeaten game, tying the league’s record for a single-season streak, and the match was capped with a penalty from Jeff Cunningham in the 67th minute that placed him in a tie with Jaime Moreno for the all-time MLS scoring lead at 132 goals. The losing teams in the two Wednesday fixtures both played to draws Saturday with Philadelphia finishing 1-1 against Houston and San Jose earning a scoreless draw in Columbus against a Crew squad that was coming off a 2-1 road loss in Guatemala to Municipal Wednesday and preparing for the US Open Cup Final this Tuesday.

The other three Champions League clubs from MLS saw mixed results. Fresh off their first group win, 2-0, against Marathon Wednesday, the Seattle Sounders rallied for a 3-2 win against Toronto FC, who played Real Salt Lake to a stalemate in the all-MLS CCL match Tuesday. RSL, meanwhile, won in New England, 2-1.

RSL’s victory placed them atop the league table momentarily while the New York Red Bulls used a 1-0 win over Kansas City, who missed an opportunity to gain ground in the playoff race, to leap over the Crew for first in the Eastern Conference. RSL, however, saw that lead return to Los Angeles Galaxy in the lone match Sunday as they defeated city rival Chivas USA, 2-1.

USSF Division-2

With the playoff field already determined, the weekend was all about the race for the top seeds in the two conferences. A key contest Friday night in Cary, North Carolina played a pivotal role in both as the RailHawks played host to the Austin Aztex.

In the NASL Conference, Carolina assumed control of the top spot Friday evening with a 3-1 victory Austin, putting pressure on Vancouver to win big the following night against Portland. The Whitecaps, however, were unable to pull away from the Timbers in a 2-2 draw that gave Carolina the conference title.

In the USL Conference, the Rochester Rhinos came from behind after giving up a goal three minutes in, downing host AC St Louis, 2-1, on a pair of Isaac Kissi goals in the second half, jumping to the top spot and placing the pressure back on Austin in the league’s regular season finale Sunday in Montreal. The Aztex, though, fell behind and three minutes after the opening goal lost a man with a red card to Randi Patterson as they finished the season with a 2-0 defeat, their third loss in four games.

In other matches, Tampa Bay crushed a hapless Baltimore squad that traveled to Florida with only 11 players, 6-3, and Miami FC drew 1-1 with the Puerto Rico Islanders, who were coming off a fantastic come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Toluca in the Champions League.

The results created a few quirks in the playoff matches as Portland and Vancouver will meet up immediately again as will Montreal and Austin. The other pairings will see the regular season champion Rochester Rhinos face Puerto Rico and Carolina playing Minnesota. The Quarterfinals begin Wednesday in Montreal and Minnesota with the other series kicking off Thursday in Puerto Rico and Vancouver.

Mexico

After starting the season winless in the first eight, Atlas nearly won its second straight on the road against Chivas Guadalajara, but errors cost the club the win. Gerardo Flores gave Atlas the lead in the 73rd, but his celebration, the act of moving the hair-restraining tape from his head to over his eyes like Zorro, resulted in a second caution that left his team short-handed. The club nearly held on for the win only to see an own goal off a failed clearance conclude the Guadalajara clasico.

But while the clasico may have seen an entertaining finish, there were several other matches of intrigue. Unbeaten Monterrey did well against promoted Necaxa with two goals in the first half hour to maintain its status. Cruz Azul, however, stayed at the top of the overall table by two points with a 1-0 victory over America. The other two Champions League contestants squared off with Santos Laguna getting a pair of goals five minutes apart just before the break en route to the shutout win over visiting Toluca, keeping them within one point of Monterrey in Group A. Toluca’s loss allowed San Luis, with a 1-0 win over Tigres, to pull level for first in Group B, leaping over America, which sits a point back.

Friday, October 1

Estudiantes Tecos 0-0 Jaguares

Saturday, October 2

Monterrey 2-1 Necaxa
Scoring – MON: Humberto Suazo 12, Aldo De Nigris 27… NEC: Pablo Quatrocchi 90

Santos Laguna 2-0 Toluca
Scoring – SL: Jose Cardenas 38, Cristian Benitez 43

San Luis 1-0 Tigres UANL
Scoring – SL: Othoniel Arce 47

Atlante 1-3 Pachuca
Scoring – ATL: Johan Fano 18… PAC: Edgar Benitez 46, 59, Dario Cvitanich 91+

Sunday, October 3

Pumas UNAM 1-0 Morelia
Scoring – PUM: Dante Lopez 63

Puebla 2-0 Queretaro
Scoring – PUE: Andres Olivera 65, Rodrigo Salinas 70

Chivas Guadalajara 2-2 Atlas
Scoring – GUA: Miguel Ponce 31, Own goal 90… ATL: Flavio Santos, Gerardo Flores 73

Cruz Azul 1-0 America
Scoring – CA: Christian Gimenez 52

Coming Up Around CONCACAF

2010-10-01T18:15:00.000-04:00

The CONCACAF Champions League enters into a two-week break following a week that saw a sensational comeback by the Puerto Rico Islanders, allowing the focus to fall upon the final week of the USSF Division-2 regular season, the Major League Soccer playoff race and the US Open Cup.

The final week of the USSF-D2 season is wrapping up with all eight playoff-bound clubs already determined, eliminating the drama of making the cut. The race for the top seeds, however, is alive and well. The regular season championship is on the line with current leaders Austin Aztex on the road for two against the Carolina RailHawks and Montreal Impact. The match in Cary Friday is of huge significance as a victory would ensure the Aztex of the number one overall seed ahead of the Rochester Rhinos, who travel to St Louis Saturday. But Carolina also has a lot on the line as the RailHawks have a chance to claim the top seed in the NASL Conference currently sitting tied with the Vancouver Whitecaps, who host rival Portland Saturday. Carolina holds the tiebreaker. If Austin misses out Friday and Rochester wins Saturday, the Aztex will have a final shot at the regular season crown Sunday.

With six points separating the teams within the MLS playoff zone from those outside, it appears the race for the postseason may follow the same path as their second-tier counterparts. The Seattle Sounders and San Jose Earthquakes sit level on 39 points with the Kansas City Wizards at 33 and Toronto FC at 31. The Canadian side is in Seattle this week for a chance to make a dramatic cut in that deficit Saturday with just a handful of games left while the other two face top clubs. The Wizards visit New York and San Jose will be in Columbus. The Colorado Rapids, at 41, look to cement their position at home against last-place DC. The only match not played Saturday will be the usually-marquee LA derby featuring the Galaxy and Chivas USA, but the Galaxy have already clinched a postseason berth and their rivals are on the verge of mathematical elimination, which could happen before they take the field if Seattle and San Jose win.

The MLS action continues, sort of, the following Tuesday with the Sounders playing host to the Columbus Crew in the US Open Cup championship match. The Sounders will be looking to repeat since the amateur era when the New York Pancyprian-Freedoms won in 1982-83 despite three previous chances by MLS clubs DC United (96-97, 08-09) and Chicago Fire (03-04).

There are a couple enticing matches in Mexico this week as Necaxa plays host to unbeaten Monterrey Saturday along with the showdown of the CCL duo of Toluca and Santos Laguna.

A first-place showdown in Panama may be the match of the week throughout all of CONCACAF as San Francisco travels Sunday to play Chorrillo, one of two clubs tied for second just a point back. Also a point back is Sporting San Miguelito, which could jump into the top spot Friday night with a road match against Atletico Veraguense, which is tied for last.

A battle for second highlights the action in El Salvador as Firpo travels Sunday to play Alianza, which is tied with Aguila, which hosts Once Municipal the day before, two points back of second. In Guatemala, nearly every match is a battle to stay close to second as only five points separates second-place Juventud Retalteca, which plays last-place Universidad San Carlos, from Xelaju, which sits 10th after 10 weeks.

It is a little more complicated in Honduras where postponements have the table a bit unbalanced currently. Regardless, the marquee contest features, according to the table, is a battle between third-place Platense and visiting Real Espana, which is only a point back. However, co-leader Necaxa plays host to CCL side Olimpia, which is seven points back with two fewer games played and the other CCL club Marathon, also with two postponements, hosts the other co-leader Victoria with five points between the pair.

MIDWEEK MATCH RESULTS

CONCACAF Champions League

Tuesday – Toronto FC 1-1 Real Salt Lake… Cruz Azul 2-0 Arabe Unido… Saprissa 2-2 Monterrey… Wednesday – Puerto Rico Islanders 3-2 Toluca… Municipal 2-1 Columbus Crew… Santos Laguna 5-1 Joe Public… Seattle Sounders 2-0 Marathon… Thursday – FAS 1-4 Olimpia

League Matches

Wednesday – MLS Colorado Rapids 4-1 Philadelphia Union… San Jose Earthquakes 0-3 Chicago Fire… Honduras Necaxa 2-1 Platense… Real Espana 3-3 Deportes Savio… Victoria 2-1 Motagua

COMING UP AROUND CONCACAF

Friday, October 1

USSF Division-2: Austin Aztex @ Carolina RailHawks… Crystal Palace Baltimore @ Tampa Bay Rowdies

Mexico: Jaguares Chiapas @ Estudiantes Tecos

Panama: Sporting San Miguelito @ Atletico Veraguense… Atletico Chiriqui @ Plaza Amador

Saturday, October 2

Major League Soccer: Toronto FC @ Seattle Sounders… Houston Dynamo @ Philadelphia Union… San Jose Earthquakes @ Columbus Crew… Real Salt Lake @ New England Revolution… Kansas City Wizards @ New York Red Bulls… Chicago Fire @ FC Dallas… DC United @ Colorado Rapids

USSF Division-2: Portland Timbers @ Vancouver Whitecaps… Puerto Rico Islanders @ Miami FC Blues… Rochester Rhinos @ AC St Louis

Mexico: America @ Cruz Azul… Necaxa @ Monterrey… Toluca @ Santos Laguna… Atlas @ Chivas Guadalajara… Tigres UANL @ San Luis… Pachuca @ Atlante

Costa Rica: Cartagines @ Deportivo Saprissa… Brujas @ Herediano

El Salvador: Atletico Marte @ Universidad de El Salvador… Once Municipal @ Aguila

Guatemala: Municipal @ Marquense… Xelaju @ Comunicaciones

Honduras: Victoria @ Marathon… Hispano @ Vida… Olimpia @ Necaxa

Panama: Alianza @ Chepo

Sunday, October 3

Major League Soccer: Los Angeles Galaxy @ Chivas USA

USSF Division-2: Austin Aztex @ Montreal Impact

Mexico: Morelia @ Pumas UNAM… Queretaro @ Puebla

Costa Rica: Barrio Mexico @ Perez Zeledon… San Carlos @ Alajuelense… Universidad de Costa Rica @ Santos de Guapiles… Puntarenas @ Limon

El Salvador: Isidro Metapan @ Atletico Balboa… Vista Hermosa @ FAS… Firpo @ Alianza

Guatemala: Heredia @ Mictlan… Malacateco @ Suchitepequez… Xinabajul @ Penarol La Mesilla… Juventud Retalteca @ Universidad San Carlos

Honduras: Real Espana @ Platense… Deportes Savio @ Motagua

Panama: San Francisco @ Chorrillo… Arabe Unido @ Tauro

Central America Round-Up: Matthew Storms Through

2010-09-28T16:18:00.000-04:00

Tropical Depression Matthew made waves this week in the region, resulting in numerous match postponements, many of which will be made up this Wednesday. But while the storm may have upset the scheduled action, underdogs were unable to register any upsets in the games that were played as the favorites were largely unscathed this week as most leagues are at the heart of the campaign.

Note: The TSB Pro Power Rankings will not be issued this week due to the postponements.

Costa Rica

The clash of the top two sides in Group A resulted in a scoreless stalemate with leader Barrio Mexico able to extend its unbeaten run to six matches as host Cartagines was unable to crack the defense of the league’s second best side in the table and defensively. Perez Zeledon, previously last, continued its rise from the bottom with a second consecutive victory and now sits just three points back of Cartagines. The group’s other match was postponed due to field conditions, a fortunate break for Saprissa, which is set to continue CONCACAF Champions League play midweek. Group B leader Alajuelense suffered the same fate as they were unable to find a goal in a scoreless draw, maintaining its unbeaten status. The draw allowed 3-0 winners Herediano to pull within six points of the league leaders though.

Sunday, September 26

Cartagines 0-0 Barrio Mexico

Perez Zeledon 2-1 Limon
Scoring – PZ: Ever Alfaro 12, pen 71… LIM: Kareem McLean 90

Santos de Guapiles 0-0 Alajuelense

San Carlos 0-3 Herediano
Scoring – HER: Victor Nunez 25, Jose Sanchez 69, Froylan Ledezma pen 89

Puntarenas – Saprissa – Postponed due to field conditions

Monday, September 27

Brujas 0-1 Universidad de Costa Rica
Scoring – UCR: Omar Royero 72

El Salvador

Tropical Depression Matthew played havoc in El Salvador, resulting in the postponement of four matches Sunday. Three of the matches will be played Wednesday with the game featuring CCL side FAS as the exception. Saturday’s lone match saw mid-table sides Atletico Balboa and Universidad de El Salvador finish level at 1-1.

Saturday, September 25

Universidad de El Salvador 1-1 Atletico Balboa
Scoring – UES: Ramiro Carballo 10… AB: Juan Campos 39

Guatemala

It was all about the home clubs in round 10 as the host clubs nearly swept with a 5-1-0 record and an aggregate score of 12-3. Leaders Municipal saw little trouble against 11th-place Penarol La Mesilla, marking five straight victories. Juventud Retalteca and Heredia kept pace with victories at home while Marquense saw their share of second slip away with the loss to Juventud which went its fifth in a row without defeat. The lone draw was between mid-table sides Xelaju and Mictlan in the lone match that was played Saturday.

Saturday, September 25

Xelaju 1-1 Mictlan
Scoring – XEL: Nelson Crossa 1… MIC: Luis Rodriguez

Sunday, September 26

Juventud Retalteca 3-0 Marquense
Scoring – JR: Jairo Perez 3, Mynor Figueroa 57, Cristian Vega pen 62

Municipal 3-0 Penarol La Mesilla
Scoring – MUN: Mario Rodriguez 18, 50, Diego Alfonso 75

Xinabajul 1-0 Comunicaciones
Scoring – XIN: Edgar Nunez 67

Heredia 2-1 Suchitepequez
Scoring – HER: Henry Hernandez 21, 92+… SUC: Edwin Villatoro 28

Malacateco 2-1 Universidad San Carlos
Scoring – MAL: Jorge Pailos 3, Sergio Jucup 83… USC: Rodrigo de Leon 75

Honduras

Also affected by Tropical Depression Matthew, Liga Nacional postponed all five contests.Three matches have been set for Wednesday with the exception of the matches involving CCL clubs Olimpia and Marathon. Olimpia’s match versus Vida is still to be determined while Marathon’s was rescheduled for October 6 against Histpano.

Panama

In a week with close-knit contests Friday and Saturday, the lone contest on Sunday finished with a goal total that exceeded the combine number scored the previous two days. League leader San Francisco kicked things off Friday with a win on the road, to extend its unbeaten run to seven. Two of the three clubs tied for second kept pace a point back with Chorrillo and Sporting San Miguelito earning victories while CCL side Arabe Unido played to a scoreless draw on the road against last-place Atletico Veraguense.

Friday, September 24

Tauro 1-2 San Francisco
Scoring – TAU: Julian Martinez 83… SF: Gabriel Torres 22, Eduardo Jimenez 50

Atletico Veraguense 0-0 Arabe Unido

Saturday, September 25

Chorrillo 1-0 Alianza
Scoring – CHO: Delano Welch 30

Chepo 0-0 Plaza Amador
Sunday, September 26

Sporting San Miguelito 5-1 Atletico Chiriqui
Scoring – SSM: Rolando Escobar 38, Victor Herrera 40, 61, Alberto Zapata 41, Richard Dixon 66… AC: Oscar Vargas 73

North America Round-Up: Week of Rallies

2010-09-27T21:05:00.000-04:00

While most of the attention for the week revolved around the men’s game as CONCACAF Champions League action and the playoff races for Major League Soccer and USSF Division-2 continued, the ladies squared off for the Women’s Professional Soccer Championship Sunday. The WPS Final was a one-sided affair, but comebacks were a major theme on the men's side.

Two weeks after closing out the regular season as the league’s best team with a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Independence, FC Gold Pride perfected the result with a 4-0 victory over the same club for the league’s title, extending its unbeaten run to 14 games (10-4-0).

While Marta was named MVP of the championship match, it was Canadian star Christine Sinclair with two goals in the match, tallying the opener 17 minutes in and later adding the team’s third eight minutes into the second half to spoil any of the visitor’s hopes of making a comeback. Marta would close the scoring in the 90th minute, her third consecutive match with a goal, giving the league’s leading scorer seven goals in the last six matches.

Major League Soccer

It was a busy week for MLS with a pair of midweek matches accompanying the four CCL contests featuring MLS clubs. The Kansas City Wizards rallied from a two-goal deficit in the final half hour Wednesday to register a 4-3 victory over Houston to stay in the thick of the playoff chase. Meanwhile FC Dallas also came back from two down at home to earn a 2-2 draw against New England and keep its unbeaten streak intact at 16 games.

The weekend’s action kicked off with the marquee match of the week Friday with two contenders for regular season conference titles squaring off. The visiting New York Red Bulls posted a 2-0 victory in Los Angeles against the Galaxy to temporarily pull level with the Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference.

The other 14 clubs were all in action Saturday. Columbus, fresh off a stunning upset win over Mexico’s Santos Laguna in the CCL, continued the comeback theme of the week with a two-goal rally in the final 28 minutes on the road to tie New England, 2-2. Real Salt Lake returned to the country after a win in Panama and picked up a stoppage time equalizer for a 1-1 draw against visiting Colorado, extending the club’s home unbeaten run to 24 matches. Colorado’s draw allowed the Seattle Sounders to jump a spot in the playoff chase inside the qualifying zone as they were 1-0 winners in Chicago after seeing a two-goal lead vanish in a CCL loss in Mexico Wednesday.

Toronto FC’s return from Mexico, where they earned a surprising scoreless draw, was not as successful, falling at home, 3-2, to playoff contender San Jose, allowing the gap between the playoff contenders and TFC. Kansas City was unable to add onto the midweek win to climb closer to the playoff zone, falling in Dallas, 3-1, Saturday.

In other contests, the Houston Dynamo came back from a goal down on the road to defeat DC United, 3-1, and the Philadephia Union blanked visiting Chivas USA, 3-0.

USSF Division-2

One game Wednesday evening settle a lot as AC St Louis fell out of playoff contention with a 4-2 loss in Miami, finalizing the playoff field for the league with two weekends of play remaining. The visitors fell behind courtesy of an Abe Thompson hat-trick, but fought back with two Brad Stisser goals in the second half only to come up short in their bid to keep playoff hopes alive.

Action continued Friday evening with the NSC Minnesota Stars posting a fourth straight victory, winning in Tampa, 3-1, while the Vancouver Whitecaps fell, 1-0, at home to Canadian rival Montreal.

Vancouver’s loss opened the door for the Carolina RailHawks Saturday to move into a tie for first in the NASL Conference by posting a 2-1 win over the Puerto Rico Islanders, who were coming off a scoreless draw in El Salvador against FAS in the CCL.

In the USL Conference Saturday, the Rochester Rhinos fell, 1-0, in Miami, allowing the Austin Aztex to reclaim the top spot with a 4-2 victory over St Louis. Meanwhile, the Portland Timbers won in Baltimore, 3-1, on a pair of goals from Bright Dike.

Mexican Primera Division

Friday, September 24

Necaxa 2-1 Cruz Azul
Looking for its second win despite having played well against some of the top clubs, Necaxa finally registered an upset victory over one of the league’s best, topping CCL side Cruz Azul on a pair of first half strikes. Scoring – NEC: Dario Gandin pen 13, Nicolas Pavlovich 26… CA: Christian Gimenez pen 67

Saturday, September 25

Queretaro 0-0 Monterrey
Fresh off their stunning comeback midweek against Seattle in CCL play, Monterrey avoided their first loss of the campaign in either competition with the stalemate on the road.

Jaguares 2-1 San Luis
A poor clearance by a San Luis defender fell directly to Jorge Rodriguez at the top of the box for the opening score 12 minutes in, but the visitors answered right back less than a minute later when a ball was dropped off for Tressor Moreno, who scored from similar range. A second yellow to Michael Arroyo in the 64th proved critical as Jaguares struck for the winner four minutes later when Carlos Ochoa got the ball in the box and slipped it between the defender and goalkeeper inside the far post from nine yards. Scoring – JAG: Jorge Rodriguez 12, Carlos Ochoa 68… SL: Tressor Moreno 13

Pachuca 3-1 Estudiantes Tecos
A well taken penalty gave Pachuca the lead just before the break. They doubled the advantage when Dario Cvitanich headed a perfect ball centered into the area just inside the far post. They put the match out of reach seven minutes from time when a poor goal kick was mishandled by the defender, leaving Herculez Gomez all alone for a run at goal. Mauro Cejas made a great play on a corner, putting away his own blocked shot to spoil the shutout. Scoring – PAC: Edgar Benitez pen 44, Dario Cvitanich 60, Herculez Gomez 83… EST: Mauro Cejas 85

Atlas 1-0 Puebla
A corner to the near-side corner of the six was headed inside the near post from seven yards by Alfredo Moreno, giving Atlas its first victory of the year as Puebla went from being tied for second in the group to fourth with its fourth loss in five matches. Scoring – ATL: Alfredo Moreno 12

Sunday, September 26

Tigres UANL 1-1 Chivas Guadalajara
The home club took the lead a minute into the second when Francisco Acuna brought the ball down with his chest and put it away. An own goal from Juninho put the visitors level. Scoring – TIG: Francisco Acuna 46… GUA: Own goal 71

Morelia 1-2 Toluca
Coming off a road loss to Olimpia in the CCL, Toluca reversed the result in their home nation, winning on the road. Hector Mancilla opened the scoring six minutes into the second frame. Two minutes later, though, the hosts leveled terms when Hugo Droguett scored on a rebound with a blast inside the near post from the left side. The scoring finished just 10 minutes after it began with Nestor Calderon hitting the winner for Toluca. Scoring – MOR: Hugo Droguett 53… TOL: Hector Mancilla 51, Nestor Calderon 61

Pumas UNAM 2-2 Atlante
Just as was the case in three MLS matches and the Seattle-Monterrey CCL match, a two-goal lead was not enough for Pumas. Martin Bravo’s header was the lone score int he first half and his finish of a rebound in the 53rd gave the hosts what looked like a solid position. Three minutes, however, changed that status as Johan Fano scored off the rebound of a corner kick chance and then converted a penalty just two minutes later. Scoring – PUM: Martin Bravo 23, 53… ATL: Johan Fano 72, pen 74

America 3-2 Santos Laguna
Cristian Benitez gave the CCL club the lead on the road after just four minutes with a header, but America answered with three consecutive strikes. A ball behind the mark of Vicente Sanchez allowed him to tie the match up with Vicente Vuoso scored back-to-back goals seven minutes apart with the first coming on a fantastic switch of the ball that got behind the defense in the 30th and the second in which Aquivaldo Mosquera headed the ball to him for a two-goal lead. Santos Laguna’s Fernando Arce put in a rebound that came off the crossbar four minutes from the break, but a scoreless stalemate in the second half left the visitors short. Scoring – AME: Vicente Sanchez 22, Vicente Vuoso 30, 37… SL: Cristian Benitez 4, Fernando Arce 41

Coming Up Around CONCACAF

2010-09-24T15:41:00.000-04:00

The CONCACAF Champions League provided plenty of drama this week, but the action of the upcoming weekend should not be cast into the CCL’s shadows as four leagues will see match-ups up teams in the top two spots in their respective leagues while Major League Soccer clubs fight in the race of playoff berths as the season winds down.

In Honduras, where the top five clubs are separated by two points, league leading Platense is playing host to one of the four clubs level two points back when they travel Saturday to face Necaxa, which sits second based on goal differential. Two of the other second-place sides meet when Deportes Savio visits Real Espana the following day.

El Salvador also features a match-up between first and second as Firpo plays host to Isidro Metapan Sunday with a single point differentiating the two. In Panama, the marquee fixture may as well be a battle between first and second as league leading San Francisco is merely two points ahead of their host opponent Tauro, who are fifth in the league with three clubs sitting between the two. Cartagines hosts Barrio Mexico, leaders of Group A in Costa Rica, in a tilt of the group’s top two clubs, although they sit separated by 10 points.

The parity that has been a major theme throughout Central America is abundant in Guatemala, where the distance between leader Municipal and 10th place Malacateco is seven points. The difference between second and 10th is even tighter with nine clubs within just one game’s value of each other, making virtually every match a battle for second in the league while Municipal plays 11th place Penarol La Mesilla. The top match of the week though features the two clubs tied for second place with Juventud Retalteca hosting Marquense Sunday.

While there are no similar showdowns in Mexico, Monterrey remains unbeaten on the campaign with a 5-3-0 record in the Primera Division and a perfect four-game record in the Champions League. Looking to spoil that status Saturday will be host Queretaro, who shocked another CCL club, Santos Laguna, 5-2 just two weeks ago.

The US-based leagues are facing the end of their regular season campaigns. The lone match featuring direct confrontation of the league’s elite will occur in Los Angeles Friday evening when the Galaxy play host to the New York Red Bulls. LA currently leads the Western Conference and the league overall while New York is fourth overall and second in the Eastern Conference. The focus around the rest of the action around the league will be all about the race for playoff position with the Seattle Sounders current sitting in the eighth and final spot with Kansas City and CCL side Toronto FC within five points. Six points, in fact, separate sixth-place Colorado from Toronto FC in 10th. In USSF Division-2, all eight clubs have been determined as of Wednesday, leaving the final two weekends to sort out the seeding.

MIDWEEK MATCH RESULTS (TSB Pro Power Rankings in parenthesis)

CONCACAF Champions League

Tuesday (16) Columbus Crew 1-0 Santos Laguna (6)… (1) Cruz Azul 0-0 Toronto FC (21) – Wednesday (36) Arabe Unido 2-3 Real Salt Lake (3)… (2) Monterrey 3-2 Seattle Sounders (29)… (17) Marathon 2-1 Saprissa (49)… (93) FAS 0-0 Puerto Rico Islanders (34) – Thursday (50) Joe Public 2-3 Municipal (19)… (28) Olimpia 2-1 Toluca (4)

League Matches

Wednesday MLS (5) FC Dallas 2-2 New England Revolution (37)… (30) Kansas City Wizards 4-3 Houston Dynamo (47)… USSF-D2 (86) Miami FC Blues 4-2 AC St Louis (83)

COMING UP AROUND CONCACAF

Friday, September 24

Major League Soccer: (11) New York Red Bulls @ Los Angeles Galaxy (13)

USSF Division-2: (77) NSC Minnesota Stars @ Tampa Bay Rowdies (87)… (51) Montreal Impact @ Vancouver Whitecaps (38)

Mexico: (1) Cruz Azul @ Necaxa (8)

Panama: (52) San Francisco @ Tauro 54)… (36) Arabe Unido @ Atletico Veraguense (NR)

Saturday, September 25

Major League Soccer: (44) Chivas USA @ Philadelphia Union (40)… (20) San Jose Earthquakes @ Toronto FC (21)… (47) Houston Dynamo @ DC United (59)… (16) Columbus Crew @ New England Revolution (37)… (29) Seattle Sounders @ Chicago Fire (26)… (5) FC Dallas @ Kansas City Wizards (30)… (24) Colorado Rapids @ Real Salt Lake (3)

USSF Division-2: (48) Rochester Rhinos @ Miami FC Blues (86)… (42) Portland Timbers @ Crystal Palace Baltimore (NR)… (34) Puerto Rico Islanders @ Carolina RailHawks (60)… (83) AC St Louis @ Austin Aztex (35)

Mexico: (2) Monterrey @ Queretaro (31)… (10) San Luis @ Jaguares (22)… (14) Chivas Guadalajara @ Tigres UANL (9)… (32) Estudiantes Tecos @ Pachuca (23)… (27) Puebla @ Atlas (46)

El Salvador: (91) Atletico Balboa @ Universidad de El Salvador (98)

Guatemala: (73) Mictlan @ Xelaju (NR)

Honduras: (17) Marathon @ Hispano (NR)… (43) Motagua @ Victoria (75)… (45) Platense @ Necaxa (39)

Panama: (99) Alianza @ Chorrillo (62)… (95) Plaza Amador @ Chepo (88)

Sunday, September 26

Mexico: (4) Toluca @ Morelia (18)… (33) Atlante @Pumas UNAM (15)… (6) Santos Laguna @ America (7)

Costa Rica: (25) Barrio Mexico @ Cartagines (92)… (89) Limon @ Perez Zeledon (100)… (49) Deportivo Saprissa @ Puntarenas (97)… (12) Alajuelense @ Santos de Guapiles (65)… (63) Herediano @ San Carlos (67)

El Salvador: (NR) Atletico Marte @ Aguila (69)… (82) Once Municipal @ FAS (93)… (41) Isidro Metapan @ Firpo (53)… (81) Vista Hermosa @ Alianza (66)

Guatemala: (55) Marquense @ Juventud Retalteca (56)… (NR) Penarol La Mesilla @ Municipal (19)… (58) Comunicaciones @ Xinabajul (79)… (94) Suchitepequez @ Heredia (64)… (NR) Universidad San Carlos @ Malacateco (80)

Honduras: (49) Deportes Savio @ Real Espana (57)… (76) Vida @ Olimpia (28)

Panama: (90) Atletico Chiriqui @ Sporting San Miguelito (70)

Monday, September 27 – Costa Rica (NR) Universidad de Costa Rica @ Brujas (78)

Best CCL Night in MLS History

2010-09-22T01:38:00.001-04:00

The numbers were daunting coming into Tuesday night’s pair of CONCACAF Champions League matches featuring two Major League Soccer clubs playing against a pair of successful Mexican Primera Division clubs with CCL experience. At the final whistle in Estadio Azul, the MLS clubs finished the night with four points out of six – a monumental and historical effort - as Columbus defeated Santos Laguna, 1-0, and Toronto drew, 0-0, on the road against Cruz Azul.

Prior to the night’s fixtures, MLS teams had recorded only one win in the three years of the competition – Toronto’s 2-1 victory at home against two-time tournament finalist Cruz Azul in the opening week of the group phase. The Mexican sides were 13-4-1 (W-D-L) versus their MLS counterparts, having gone 4-2-0 the first year and 6-2-0 last year. At home, the Mexican sides were 6-2-1 prior to Tuesday.

Much is often made about Major League Soccer’s inability to win in Mexico, but Mexican clubs prior to Tuesday night were 40-4-1 against all competitors in home matches with an amazing aggregate score total of 138-24. Joe Public registered the lone victory by a visitor on October 2, 2008 with a 1-0 decision against eventual tournament champion Atlante.

Santos Laguna took the field in Ohio with only four from its starting eleven on the weekend perhaps looking to rest a squad that has struggled of late, grabbing a stoppage time win against one-win Necaxa this weekend after a 2-2 CCL road draw against Municipal, in which they gave up a two-goal lead, and a shocking 5-2 loss to Mexican minnow Queretaro the weekend before.

A little luck with the ball bouncing his way, Andres Mendoza scored the lone goal on what is arguably the biggest night of Champions League action for Major League Soccer since the debut of the tournament in 2008, striking the winner in the 87th minute for the Crew in the first half of the doubleheader.

The more shocking result though was to come two hours later in Mexico, where Toronto FC registered a scoreless draw against a Cruz Azul side that has been absolutely dominant in Champions League and domestic play, making the Canadian squad the first in MLS history to finish with a better home-away aggregate result against a Mexican club in any phase of the tournament and the third team to earn a draw in Mexico, joining DC United (Toluca, 1-1, 10/20/09) and the Houston Dynamo (Pumas, 4-4, 9/30/08).

Cruz Azul came into the match on a six-game win streak having posted a 3-0 win over Queretaro on the weekend after a 6-0 drubbing of Arabe Unido the week before in the Champions League. Toronto, just eight days after the change in coaching staff, picked up the surprise result against the odds as Javier Orozco, who has 10 goals in the CCL and six in the Mexican Apertura, started the match for Cruz Azul, which suffered only their second shutout of the campaign. In fact, since their 2-0 road loss to Pumas August 8, Cruz Azul had scored at least three goals in all seven victories with the 2-1 loss August 14 in Toronto as the only exception.

In addition to having to shut out Orozco, TFC found themselves scrambling from the get-go while under siege, having to make a substitution for Joseph Nane nine minutes in. Then again just before the half-hour mark, his replacement Martin Saric had to come off for an injury as well, leaving the visitors with only one sub for the rest of the match. The Canadians did well to minimize the quality of the host’s chances though and in the final 10 minutes had a flicker of hope that they could be the first MLS club to ever win a competitive match in Mexico and end Cruz Azul’s 15-game home unbeaten run in all competitions when Fausto Pinto was sent off for a second yellow.

Previous Positive MLS Results v Mexican Clubs in CCL

8/17/10… Toronto v Cruz Azul… 2-1 W

3/9/10… Columbus Crew v Toluca… 2-2 D

10/20/09… DC United @ Toluca… 1-1 D

2/24/09… Houston Dynamo v Atlante… 1-1 D

9/30/08… Houston Dynamo @ Pumas… 4-4 D

Previous Winless Home Matches for Mexican Clubs in CCL

10/20/09… Toluca v DC United (MLS)… 1-1 D

8/5/09… Cruz Azul v Herediano (CRC)… 0-0 D

10/7/08… Cruz Azul v Marathon (HON)… 1-1 D

10/2/08… Atlante v Joe Public (TRI)… 0-1 L

9/30/08… Pumas v Houston Dynamo (MLS)… 4-4 D

TSB Pro Power Rankings: Barrio Mexico & Minnesota Rising

2010-09-21T14:20:00.000-04:00

With most of the top Mexican and Major League Soccer clubs posting positive results on the week, there was minimal change in the Top 10 of The Soccer Barn’s CONCACAF Pro Club Power Rankings this week.

The biggest changes in the first 10 on the lest came as the result of Santos Laguna topping Necaxa, another club near the top, while Chivas Guadalajara fell following a loss to one-win Jaguares.

Further down the list, Barrio Mexico of Costa Rica continues to prove its form is no fluke and at 7-1-1 after a victory over Saprissa moved up to 25 from 31. Alajuelense, 8-1-0, also moved up to number 12 with another victory as they are one of the two remaining unbeaten clubs in Mexico or Central America. The other is second-ranked Monterrey (5-3-0), which also is perfect through three Champions League contests.

The final quarter of the list saw plenty of movement this week with many lower-ranked clubs posting upsets in domestic league action this week, which has created an overwhelming amount of parity throughout Central America. The biggest mover was the USSF Division-2 club NSC Minnesota Stars, who edged the Carolina RailHawks and NASL Conference leader Vancouver Whitecaps to put themselves into the thick of the playoff race with two weeks to go, climing from 94 to 77 on the list.

TSB’s CONCACAF Pro Club Power Rankings

(Champions League - Group Stage clubs in yellow)

Rank . [Previous] … Club (League) … League Record W-D-L … Notes

1 . [1] … Cruz Azul (MEX) … 7-0-1 … 3-0 W v Queretaro, CCL 6-0 W @ Arabe Unido

2 . [2] … Monterrey (MEX) … 5-3-0 … 2-0 W v Atlas, CCL 2-0 W v Marathon

3 . [4] … Real Salt Lake (MLS) … 13-8-4 … 1-0 W v Chicago Fire, CCL 4-1 W v Toronto FC

4 . [6] … Toluca (MEX) … 3-4-1 … 2-1 W v America, CCL 3-0 W v Puerto Rico

5 . [3] … FC Dallas (MLS) … 10-12-2 … 2-2 D v New York Red Bulls

6 . [9] … Santos Laguna (MEX) … 6-0-2 … 2-1 W v Necaxa, CCL 2-2 D @ Municipal

7 . [7] … America (MEX) … 3-3-2 … 1-2 L @ Toluca

8 . [8] … Necaxa (MEX) … 1-4-3 … 1-2 L @ Santos Laguna

9 . [10] … Tigres UANL (MEX) … 3-2-3 … 3-1 W @ Puebla

10 . [12] … San Luis (MEX) … 5-1-2 … 1-0 W v Pachuca

11 . [13] … New York Red Bulls (MLS) … 12-5-8 … 2-2 D @ FC Dallas

12 . [15] … Alajuelense (CRC) … 8-1-0 … 3-2 W v Brujas

13 . [14] … Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) … 15-5-5 … 2-1 W v DC United

14 . [5] … Chivas Guadalajara (MEX) … 2-3-2 … 0-3 L v Jaguares Chiapas

15 . [16] … Pumas UNAM (MEX) … 3-2-3 … 2-2 D @ Estudiantes Tecos

16 . [17] … Columbus Crew (MLS) … 13-5-7 … 0-4 L v Seattle, CCL 3-0 W v Joe Public

17 . [19] … Marathon (HON) … 2-3-1 … CCL 0-2 L @ Monterrey

18 . [11] … Morelia (MEX) … 3-1-3 … 0-2 L @ Atlante

19 . [45] … Municipal (GUA) … 5-1-2 … 4-1 W @ Comunicaciones, CCL 2-2 D v Santos Laguna

20 . [20] … San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) … 10-6-7 … 1-0 W v Philadelphia Union

21 . [21] … Toronto FC (MLS) … 8-7-10 … 2-1 W @ Houston, CCL 1-4 L @ Real Salt Lake

22 . [27] … Jaguares Chiapas (MEX) … 2-3-3 … 3-0 W @ Chivas Guadalajara

23 . [18] … Pachuca (MEX) … 1-3-4 … 0-1 L @ San Luis

24 . [23] … Colorado Rapids (MLS) … 10-7-7 … 3-0 W v New England Revolution

25 . [31] … Barrio Mexico (CRC) … 7-1-1 … 3-2 W v Deportivo Saprissa

26 . [22] … Chicago Fire (MLS) … 6-8-9 … 0-1 L @ Real Salt Lake

27 . [24] … Puebla (MEX) … 3-2-3 … 1-3 L v Tigres UANL

28 . [25] … Olimpia (HON) … 1-4-1 … CCL 2-0 W v FAS

29 . [28] … Seattle Sounders (MLS) … 10-6-9 … 4-0 W @ Columbus, CCL 0-2 L @ Saprissa

30 . [30] … Kansas City Wizards (MLS) … 8-6-9 … 2-0 W @ Chivas USA

31 . [26] … Queretaro (MEX) … 3-1-4 … 0-3 L @ Cruz Azul

32 . [36] … Estudiantes Tecos (MEX) … 2-2-4 … 2-2 D v Pumas UNAM

33 . [41] … Atlante (MEX) … 2-1-5 … 2-0 W v Morelia

34 . [29] … Puerto Rico Islanders (USSFD2) … 9-9-10 … 0-1 L v Portland, CCL 0-3 L @ Toluca

35 . [34] … Austin Aztex (USSFD2) … 14-8-5 … 1-1 D @ Tampa Bay, 1-2 L @ AC St Louis

36 . [32] … Aribe Unido (PAN) … 4-2-2 … 0-1 L v Sporting San Miguelito, CCL 0-6 L v Cruz Azul

37 . [33] … New England Revolution (MLS) … 7-3-14 … 0-3 L @ Colorado Rapids

38 . [35] … Vancouver Whitecaps (USSFD2) … 10-14-4 … 0-1 L @ NSC Minnesota Stars

39 . [37] … Necaxa (HON) … 3-2-2 … 0-1 L @ Victoria

40 . [38] … Philadelphia Union (MLS) … 6-6-12 … 0-1 L @ San Jose Earthquakes

41 . [47] … Isidro Metapan (SLV) … 5-1-2 … 2-1 W v Vista Hermosa, 2-1 W v UES

42 . [44] … Portland Timbers (USSFD2) … 12-10-7 … 1-0 W @ Puerto Rico Islanders

43 . [42] … Motagua (HON) … 1-4-2 … 1-1 D v Real Espana

44 . [39] … Chivas USA (MLS) … 7-4-13 … 0-2 L v Kansas City Wizards

45 . [40] … Platense (HON) … 4-1-2 … 0-2 L v Vida

46 . [43] … Atlas (MEX) … 0-1-7 … 0-2 L @ Monterrey

47 . [46] … Houston Dynamo (MLS) … 6-5-13 … 1-2 L v Toronto FC

48 . [48] … Rochester Rhinos (USSFD2) … 14-6-7 … 1-2 L v Miami FC Blues

49 . [55] … Deportivo Saprissa (CRC) … 3-2-4 … 2-3 L @ Barrio Mexico, CCL 2-0 W v Seattle

50 . [49] … Joe Public (TRI) … 5-4-1 F … CCL 0-3 L @ Columbus Crew

51 . [53] … Montreal Impact (USSFD2) … 10-7-11 … 3-0 W v Tampa Bay Rowdies

52 . [56] … San Francisco (PAN) … 4-3-1 … 1-0 @ v Atletico Veraguense

53 . [61] … Firpo (SLV) … 4-3-1 … 2-0 W v Once Municipal, 0-0 D @ Vista Hermosa

54 . [58] … Tauro (PAN) … 3-4-1 … 2-1 W @ Alianza

55 . [59] … Marquense (GUA) … 4-3-1 … 2-1 W v Malacateco

56 . [51] … Juventud Retalteca (GUA) … 3-3-2 … 2-2 D @ Penarol La Mesilla

57 . [57] … Real Espana (HON) … 3-2-2 … 1-1 D @ Motagua

58 . [50] … Comunicaciones (GUA) … 3-4-1 … 1-4 L v Municipal

59 . [52] … DC United (MLS) … 5-3-16 … 1-2 L @ Los Angeles Galaxy

60 . [54] … Carolina RailHawks (USSFD2) … 11-8-9 … 0-1 L @ Minnesota, 4-2 W @ Baltimore

61 . [60] … Charleston Battery (USL2) … 11-5-4 F …

62 . [62] … Chorrillo (PAN) … 4-2-2 … 4-5 L @ Plaza Amador

63 . [63] … Herediano (CRC) … 5-2-2 … 4-0 W @ Universidad de Costa Rica

64 . [69] … Heredia (GUA) … 4-2-2 … 3-2 W v Xelaju

65 . [74] … Santos de Guapiles (CRC) … 3-4-2 … 3-2 W @ San Carlos

66 . [71] … Alianza (SLV) … 3-4-1 … 2-1 W v Atletico Marte, 0-0 D @ Once Municipal

67 . [64] … San Carlos (CRC) … 4-1-3 … 2-3 L v Santos de Guapiles

68 . [65] … Defence Force (TRI) … 10-0-0 F …

69 . [70] … Aguila (SLV) … 4-1-3 … 1-0 W v UES, 0-1 L @ Atletico Balboa

70 . [72] … Sporting San Miguelito (PAN) … 4-2-2 … 1-0 W @ Arabe Unido

71 . [75] … Richmond Kickers (USL2) … 9-6-5 F …

72 . [78] … San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) … 4-3-3 F …

73 . [80] … Mictlan (GUA) … 4-1-3 … 1-0 W v Xinabajul

74 . [81] … Deportes Savio (HON) … 3-2-2 … 1-0 W v Hispano

75 . [85] … Victoria (HON) … 3-2-2 … 1-0 W v Necaxa

76 . [86] … Vida (HON) … 2-2-3 … 2-0 W @ Platense

77 . [94] … NSC Minnesota (USSFD2) … 10-7-12 … 1-0 W v Carolina, 1-0 W v Vancouver

78 . [66] … Brujas (CRC) … 3-2-4 … 2-3 L @ Alajuelense

79 . [67] … Xinabajul (GUA) … 4-0-4 … 0-1 L @ Mictlan

80 . [68] … Malacateco (GUA) … 3-2-3 … 1-2 L @ Marquense

81 . [76] … Vista Hermosa (SLV) … 2-4-2 … 1-2 L @ Isidro Metapan, 0-0 D v Firpo

82 . [77] … Once Municipal (SLV) … 2-4-2 … 0-2 L @ Firpo, 0-0 D v Alianza

83 . [98] … AC St Louis (USSFD2) … 7-8-12 … 2-1 W v Austin Aztex

84 . [88] … W Connection (TRI) … 5-2-3 F …

85 . [89] … Ma Pau (TRI) … 4-5-1 F …

86 . [93] … Miami FC Blues (USSFD2) … 5-11-11 … 2-1 W @ Rochester Rhinos

87 . [91] … Tampa Bay Rowdies (USSFD2) … 6-11-11 … 1-1 D v Austin, 0-3 L @ Montreal

88 . [73] … Chepo (PAN) … 3-2-3 … 0-1 L v Atletico Chiriqui

89 . [83] … Limon (CRC) … 3-1-5 … 2-1 W v Cartagines

90 . [90] … Atletico Chiriqui (PAN) … 2-4-2 … 1-0 W @ Chepo

91 . [96] … Atletico Balboa (SLV) … 2-3-2 … 1-0 W v Aguila

92 . [79] … Cartagines (CRC) … 3-3-3 … 1-2 L @ Limon

93 . [82] … FAS (SLV) … 1-2-4 … 1-1 D @ Atletico Marte, CCL 0-2 L @ Olimpia

94 . [97] … Suchitepiquez (GUA) … 3-1-4 … 7-0 W v Universidad San Carlos

95 . [NR] … Plaza Amador (PAN) … 2-1-5 … 5-4 W v Chorrillo

96 . [87] … Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL2) … 7-8-5 F …

97 . [92] … Puntarenas (CRC) … 2-1-6 … 1-2 L v Perez Zeledon

98 . [95] … Univ. de El Salvador (SLV) … 2-2-4 … 0-1 L @ Aguila, 1-2 L @ Isidro Metapan

99 . [99] … Alianza (PAN) … 1-2-5 … 1-2 L v Tauro

100 . [NR] … Perez Zeledon (CRC) … 2-1-6 … 2-1 W @ Puntarenas

Central America Round-Up: Parity is King

2010-09-21T09:02:00.000-04:00

It was a difficult week for the Central American clubs participating in the CONCACAF Champions League as parity continues to be a dominant factor throughout the region. Only two of the six earned wins midweek in the CCL with only one club picking up a win in domestic league competition over the weekend.

Municipal had the best results on the week, playing to a 2-2 draw at home against Santos Laguna and earning a victory over Comunicaciones in the Guatemalan Liga Nacional. Costa Rica’s Saprissa was unable to carry the win over Seattle back into domestic play, falling to league leader Barrio Mexico. After falling to Olimpia midweek, Arabe Unido was unable to get off the bottom in El Salvador, playing to a draw in a battle of the tied last-place clubs against Atletico Marte. In Panama, Arabe Unido lost its share of the league lead with a loss to Sporting San Miguelito after their midweek pounding at the hands of Cruz Azul. Olimpia and Marathon, losers to Monterrey, were both idle due to a dispute over the match logistics between the two Honduran giants that resulted in a postponement.

Outside of Costa Rica, the trend appears to be that no club is able to pull away from the pack in their respective leagues as the distances between the clubs still minimal between six to nine games into the campaigns. Panama features the tightest race as the top seven clubs (of 10) are separated by five points with only two points between the top five in the league. Two points separating the top five is also the case in Honduras where the top nine clubs (of 10) occupy a six-point margin.

In El Salvador, the top six (of 10) are separated by six points with the top four only three apart. Guatemala’s top 10 (of 12) are in a seven-point window with a stunning three-point gap between the clubs in second and 10th.

While Costa Rica has a breakout leader, Alajuelense and Barrio Mexico, in each of its two six-team groups, the race for second in each is rather close. Clubs two-four in Group A are separated by just two points and second through fifth are in a six-point margin in the other group.

COSTA RICA

A number of streaks came to an end, but the leaders of the two groups continued their winning ways. Barrio Mexico downed giants Saprissa for their fourth straight win and fifth consecutive without defeat, extending its lead in Group A to 10 points with Cartagines suffering its first loss in five games. In the other group it was unbeaten Alajuelense winning its seventh straight match. Basement side Perez Zeledon picked up its first win since the opener, ending a six-game losing streak. Santos de Guapiles also ended a four-game win drought.

Saturday, September 18

San Carlos 2-3 Santos de Guapiles
Scoring – SC: Alvaro Sanchez 45, Kenny Cunningham 89… SDG: Daniel Colindres 45, 85, Luis Sequeira 47

Sunday, September 19

Puntarenas 1-2 Perez Zeledon
Scoring – PUN: Rafael Nunez 90… PZ: Ever Alfaro pen 18, Alban Gomez 43

Universidad de Costa Rica 0-4 Herediano
Scoring – HER: Bismark Acosta 22, Jose Sanchez 75, Jose Cubero 86, Roberth Arias 87

Barrio Mexico 3-2 Deportivo Saprissa
Scoring – BM: James Scott 25, Maykol Ortiz 55, Jorge Barbosa 88… SAP: Alejandro Sequeira pen 40, Armando Alonso 85

Limon 2-1 Cartagines
Scoring – LIM: Kurt Bernard pen 35, Josimar Reid 62… CAR: Diego Pais 22

Monday, September 20

Alajuelense 3-2 Brujas
Scoring – ALA: Christian Oviedo pen 61, Leandrinho 63, Diego Estrada 80… BRU: Cristian Lagos 38, Andres Nunez 82

EL SALVADOR

The top four clubs all won on a busy Wednesday night as last-place FAS was in action in the Champions League. The results on the weekend though were a different matter. Firpo and Alianza finished level with their opposition while Aguila lost, allowing Isidro Metapan to shoot jump into sole possession of first. The return to league play for FAS was inconsequential as they drew on the road against Atletico Marte in a battle of the tied last-place clubs. The draw extended Atletico Marte’s winless stretch to seven games while Firpo is now unbeaten in five straight.

Wednesday, September 15

Aguila 1-0 Universidad de El Salvador
Scoring – AGU: Patricio Gomez 33

Firpo 2-0 Once Municipal
Scoring – FIR: Jaime Alas 12, Eliseo Quintanilla 16

Alianza 2-1 Atletico Marte
Scoring – ALI: Abraham Amaya 24, 59… AM: Dany Torres 86

Isidro Metapan 2-1 Vista Hermosa
Scoring – IM: Emerson Umana 82, Elias Montes 88… VH: John Castillo 51

Saturday, September 18

Vista Hermosa 0-0 Firpo

Isidro Metapan 2-1 Universidad de El Salvador
Scoring – IM: Emerson Umana 1, Oscar Jimenez 88… UES: Rafael Burgos 20

Sunday, September 19

Atletico Balboa 1-0 Aguila
Scoring – AB: Juan Campos 64

Atletico Marte 1-1 FAS
Scoring – AM: Alcides Bandera 45… FAS: Christian Alvarez 58

Once Municipal 0-0 Alianza

GUATEMALA

The top four kept their status in check as they were all unbeaten on the week, but a draw by Juventud Retalteca allowed Marguense to move level for second. Leader Municipal’s win over Comunicaciones permitted Heredia to catch them for a share of fourth. Another shift saw Suchitepequez and Mictlan move a point ahead of Xelaju and Xinabajul as both lost in a league that features the top 10 clubs separated by seven points with only three points between second and 10th.

Saturday, September 18

Marquense 2-1 Malacateco
Scoring – MAR: Jonny Brown 48, Francisco Aguilar 55… MAL: Oscar Isaula 40

Sunday, September 19

Mictlan 1-0 Xinabajul
Scoring – MIC: Carlos Esprilla 18

Suchitepequez 7-0 Universidad San Carlos
Scoring – SUC: Wilber Caal 6, Edwin Villatoro 19, 34, Allan Kardec 42, Evandro Ferreira 58, Wilson Lalin 70, Jhonny Cubero 92+

Heredia 3-2 Xelaju
Scoring – HER: Julian Chacon 23, Walter Linares 84, Henry Hernandez 89… XEL: Israel Silva 24, Minor Lopez 51

Penarol La Messilla 2-2 Juventud Retalteca
Scoring – PLM: Guilherme 17, Mario Mazariegos 76… Hetzon Pereira 41, Jorge Estrada 48

Comunicaciones 1-4 Municipal
Scoring – COM: Transito Montepeque 29… MUN: Guillermo Ramirez 12, 23, Mario Rodriguez 14, 36

HONDURAS

It was a tough week for the top three clubs as all three finished without a win. Promoted Necaxa lost its sole possession of second as real Espana’s draw combined with wins by Victoria and Deportes Savio created a four-way tie two points back of Platense. Savio’s victory over Hispano was the club’s third straight loss, keeping them winless. A dispute over the time and venue of their match, the two CCL clubs Olimpia and Marathon saw their seventh-week match postponed by the league with no resolution agreed upon and Champions League matches just a few days away. Olimpia, winless in their last five in the league, were unable to capitalize on their CCL win over FAS Wednesday that snapped a seven game stretch without a win.

Saturday, September 18

Victoria 1-0 Necaxa
Scoring – VIC: Saul Martinez 75

Platense 0-2 Vida
Scoring – VID: Bryan Beckele 12, Own goal 75

Sunday, September 19

Deportes Savio 1-0 Hispano
Scoring – DS: Elroy Smith 49

Motagua 1-1 Real Espana
Scoring – MOT: George Welcome 52… RE: Mario Martinez 67

PANAMA

There was upheaval in Panama as losses by co-leaders Chorrillo and Arabe Unido allowed San Francisco to jump into the top spot with its third straight win, extending an unbeaten streak to six games. The losses also gave Sporting San Miguelito the chance to move into a three-way tie for second with its victory over Arabe Unido. Chorrillo’s defeat was the biggest shock of the week as it not only ended the side’s five-game unbeaten run, but snapped last-place Plaza Amador’s five-game winless string. The game itself was a dramatic affair as the league-leaders found themselves down three goals on the road before rallying to pull level. They earned another equalizer in stoppage time only to see the cellar-dwellers answer right back for the stunning 5-4 win. Plaza Amador was not alone in ending a poor period of play as Atletico Chiriqui picked up its first win in seven games.

Friday, September 17

Plaza Amador 5-4 Chorrillo
Scoring - PA: Aramis Haywood 4, Armando Gun 40, 92+, Raul Moreno 46, Ricardo Buitrago 72... CHO: Julian Agresott 49, 69, Delano Welch 70, Julio Medina 82

San Francisco 1-0 Atletico Veraguense
Scoring - SF: Johan De Avila 44

Saturday, September 18

Arabe Unido 0-1 Sporting San Miguelito
Scoring - SSM: Alberto Zapata 15

Alianza 1-2 Tauro
Scoring - ALI: Eduameth Nimbley 46… TAU: Luis Renteria 8, 25

Sunday, September 19

Chepo 0-1 Atletico Chiriqui
AC: Gabriel Rios 62

CCL Mid-Term Report: GROUP D

2010-09-20T12:23:00.000-04:00

Current Standings (Points, WDL, GD)
Toluca… 7… 2-1-0… +7
Puerto Rico Islanders… 4… 1-1-1… 0
Olimpia… 4… 1-1-1… -2
FAS… 1… 0-1-2… -5

The group is the only one where no clubs have lost at home although the first week saw a pair of draws. Since then, the winning home sides have outscored the opposition 13-1 on aggregate with Toluca perfect defensively with no goals allowed through the three matches.

Report Cards

Toluca (Mexico): A-
A slow start to league play that started with a loss was accompanied by a matching crawl in the Champions League as Toluca went scoreless on the road against the Salvadoran club FAS, which was experiencing a worse drop in form. The club has not been defeated since that road opener to Pumas and is beginning to show why it was a preseason domestic league favorite. Toluca used home field to its full extent with a 4-0 win over Olimpia and 3-0 victory against Puerto Rico. Juan Cuevas scored the first two against Olimpia and the second against the Islanders from the spot. The other goals all came from four different scorers. Current league record: 3-4-1.

Outlook – Well in command of the group, Toluca travels to Olimpia and Puerto Rico, infamous for upsetting Mexican clubs, before facing FAS in the final match of the group. Projection: First. Toluca will win one of the next two on the road, if not both, and ensure themselves of advancing to the second round, utilizing the final game to secure the top spot.

Puerto Rico Islanders (USSF Division-2): B
The Islanders used home field and capitalized on a run of good form in domestic league play to get a good start in the group phase. Nicholas Addlery opened the scoring against Olimpia in a 1-1 draw that was followed by a 4-1 victory over FAS in which Addlery finished the scoring. David Foley struck first and Jonathan Fana scored on both sides of the lone FAS tally. Mired in a chase for the playoffs, the Islanders were unable to conjure any magic in Mexico, falling to Toluca, 3-0. Current league record: 9-9-10.

Outlook – Three matches next week will determine a lot as Puerto Rico needs positive CCL group results combined with a domestic league win at Carolina to simplify the path ahead of them. Projection: Third. A win at FAS will put Puerto Rico in great position, but Toluca will be well-warned heading to the Caribbean and will probably avoid an upset, leaving the hopes of the Islanders on the final game. Unfortunately, the match in Honduras will come during the USSF Division-2 playoffs, which the Islanders will likely qualify for, allowing Olimpia to take advantage of a tired squad that may be forced to travel to Vancouver in the postseason.

Olimpia (Honduras): B
It has been a surprisingly tough domestic campaign for the club, which has seen one victory so far balanced by one loss. Despite that, Olimpia has placed itself in position of advancing to the CCL Quarterfinals. The key result was the 1-1 opening match draw in Puerto Rico where Mauricio Copete scored the equalizer. The club’s first loss of the year was came in Mexico, where Toluca handily won, 4-0. The Hondurans rebounded with a 2-0 win on a pair of Roger Rojas goals over FAS, which is off to a worse start. Current league record: 1-4-1.

Outlook – Currently tied for second, Olimpia will likely have to fall behind in the race as they host Toluca next. But the second match is against FAS and Puerto Rico is in the midst of a playoff chase that should allow the Hondurans to pull back level. The second berth in the Quarterfinals will come down to the final game, which will put Olimpia in the driver’s seat as the home club in a match that falls during the postseason schedule for Puerto Rico. Projection: Second. The only thing that could put a wrinkle in Olimpia’s future would be another Mexican upset in Puerto Rico, a result that would make goal differential a huge hurdle in the final fixture.

FAS (El Salvador): D+
Since winning the Apertura, it has been a steady decline as the club finished the Clausura in seventh and has just one win thus far in the domestic league campaign. Things looked positive at the start of the group phase with a shocking scoreless draw against visiting Toluca, but it did not continue. William Reyes scored the lone goal of the first three matches against Puerto Rico, but the club was already down two en route to a 4-1 road loss. The Salvadorans did no better in Honduras, falling to Olimpia, 2-0. Current league record: 1-2-4.

Outlook – At this point, the Salvadoran side is not expected to challenge for a spot in the Quarterfinals, but are at home for the next two games and could be a large factor in the goal differential race should Puerto Rico and Olimpia finish tied. Projection: Fourth. FAS hosts Puerto Rico, which is in the midst of trying to secure a playoff berth, in the first match, giving them a shot at an upset. They then play host to Olimpia in what is the middle of a five-game home stand. It all comes to a close in Mexico, where the team will be looking for pride against a Toluca side that may still be playing for seeding.

CCL Mid-Term Report: GROUP C

2010-09-20T12:13:00.000-04:00

Current Standings (Points, WDL, GD)
Monterrey… 9… 3-0-0… +5
Saprissa… 6… 2-0-1… +4
Marathon… 3… 1-0-2… -4
Seattle Sounders… 0… 0-0-3… -5

Monterrey seemingly can’t be beat. The club has not lost in the CCL or Mexican Primera Division through 11 matches overall. On the flip side, the Sounders are struggling mightily with just one goal in the three defeats and are the only team with a loss at home thus far.

Report Cards

Monterrey (Mexico): A+
In arguably the most difficult group, the unbeaten Mexican side has been perfect in the CCL with three wins and no goals allowed. Even with domestic league play in the midst, the club has allowed only three goals overall since the start of the group phase, posting five shutouts in seven outings. Aldo De Nigris has accounted for three of the five CCL strikes, notching the lone goal 25 minutes into the opening victory against Saprissa. He added to Neri Cardozo’s tally in a 2-0 win at Seattle in the second and opened the scoring 22 minutes into the 2-0 win versus Marathon with William Parades notching the second. Current league record: 5-3-0.

Outlook – With a berth nearly guaranteed at this point, any surprises would likely come as the result of letting up on the gas. Projection: First. With no MLS club having ever won in Mexico, the berth should be clinched with the next match at home against the Sounders. Their efforts will then determine who finishes second as they travel to Saprissa and Marathon for the final two games.

Saprissa (Costa Rica): B
Off to a slow start in domestic league play, Saprissa has rebounded in both of late. Perhaps inspired by the narrow 1-0 loss in Mexico, the club’s last defeat was on the road several days later in league play. Since then, the club has been unbeaten (4-1-0) in both competitions. The Costa Ricans used a little help from the officiating though. Two minutes after falling behind to Marathon, Alejandro Sequeira tied the match in the 34th. A Marathon red card in the 46th opened the door as Jairo Arrieta, Josue Martinez and Armando Alonso propelled them to a 4-1 win. At home against Seattle, another dismissal in the 38th for the opposition set the stage as Canadian David Guzman and Allan Aleman tallied in the second half. Current league record: 3-2-4.

Outlook – Coming off a loss to co-league leader Barrio Mexico that ended a five-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, Saprissa travels to Honduras to meet a Marathon squad that got the week off due to a squabble over the schedule. They remain on the road domestically when they return home before playing host to Monterrey, which starts a run of four straight at home before travelling to Seattle. Projection: Third. The day off for Marathon will prove the difference as both host Monterrey and visit Seattle in the final two matches.

Marathon (Honduras): C-
Things got off to a good start with the 2-1 victory over Seattle in which they came from behind on goals from Orvin Paz in the 26th and Nicolas Cardozo via a penalty in the 45th. Mario Berrios gave them the lead in Costa Rica, but Randy Diamond’s send-off allowed Saprissa to rally for a 4-1 win. A 2-0 road defeat in Mexico to Monterrey was a third straight overall without a win. Current league record: 2-3-1.

Outlook – With one win in the last five overall, the Honduran club was likely pleased to have their schedule cleared of the tough match against fellow CCL side Olimpia Sunday after a dispute as they host Saprissa this week. A trip to Seattle is next on the slate with a home contest with Monterrey, which should have the top spot clinched, coming to Honduras for the final game. Projection: Second. The bye week will help Marathon earn the victory and the Honduras will likely see a Seattle club focused on a busy push for the playoffs and bid to win the US Open Cup allow for a key road win. A similarly unmotivated Mexican side could also prove to be the final piece of the puzzle if they fall in Seattle.

Seattle Sounders (MLS): D-
The Sounders were dealt a difficult slate in the toughest group, facing the Mexican entrant at home and traveling to play two established and successful Central American sides in the first half of the group phase. Roger Levesque scored 16 minutes into the opener, but since then Seattle has not found any luck as Marathon rallied for a 2-1 win in Guatemala decided by a penalty. That was followed by a 2-0 defeat at home to Mexican unbeaten Monterrey and a 2-0 loss to Saprissa.

Outlook – Although it would seem that the schedule tips back in the Sounders’ favor after the first half, the unfortunate draw of playing in Mexico for the next contest seals their fate. With the US Open Cup Final around the corner and the playoff race at full throttle, the club will likely turn its focus away from the CCL – after all, a win at home against Columbus sends them back to next year’s tournament and a shot at redemption. Projection: Fourth. Seattle will likely join the rest of the MLS clubs that have lost in Mexico, essentially knocking them out, before playing host to Marathon and Saprissa. The Open Cup match falls during the two-week break in CCL play, allowing Seattle the possibility to play spoiler for the other two bids to advance.

CCL Mid-Term Report: GROUP B

2010-09-20T12:07:00.000-04:00

Current Standings (Points, WDL, GD)
Santos Laguna… 7… 2-1-0… +4
Columbus Crew… 6… 2-0-1… +3
Municipal… 2… 0-2-1… -1
Joe Public… 1… 0-1-2… -6

Out of season Joe Public is the only club that has lost at home, falling to Santos Laguna. However, Municipal has two draws at home against Joe Public and Santos Laguna. Columbus has kept itself in the shadow of the Santos Laguna with the only goal allowed occurring in the road loss against the Mexican giants.

Report Cards

Santos Laguna (Mexico): B+
The group phase began with a back-and-forth start against Joe Public in Trinidad, but Jose Cardenas added his third and fourth in the second half of the match to push a level contest beyond reach with Juan Enriquez capping it, 5-2, in the 90th. They followed it up with a narrow, 1-0, victory at home against Columbus on a 90th minute Jorge Estrada strike. The club has slipped since its domestic break for international play, dropping a league match, 5-2, before seeing a two-goal advantage in Guatemala against Municipal for a 2-2 draw. Current league record: 6-0-2.

Outlook – With a narrow lead in the group, Santos has a chance to lock up a Quarterfinal spot this week in Ohio. They wrap up the competition with home games against Joe Public and Muncipal, but with domestic league road matches against Morelia and Cruz Azul before the group finale, the next two matches are the most important. Projection: First. It has been a rough few weeks in league and CCL play. Riding a late dramatic win versus Necaxa this weekend, Santos should be able to edge Columbus. Even with a draw north of the border, the Mexican side will lock up the top spot at home against Joe Public before the Municipal match.

Columbus Crew (MLS): B
Emmanuel Ekpo’s score 14 minutes into the first match against Municipal held as the winner in the close contest. The next match was also decided by a single tally as the Crew nearly registered a surprising scoreless draw in Mexico only to see a last-minute tally spoil the outcome. Also busy with a US Open Cup run, Columbus won on the road against DC in the tournament semifinal during the first of the two-week CCL break. They returned to the international competition against the plucky Joe Public side that took the match to half scoreless, but Leandre Griffit, Jason Garey and Steven Lenhart gave the hosts the 3-0 win. Current league record: 13-5-7.

Outlook – Aside from the win against Joe Public, the Crew has lost the last two league matches at Los Angeles and at home against Seattle in a stunning four-goal shutout. The schedule ahead of them is tough, making the Santos match at home key in their CCL slate as they travel to New England and Municipal over the following week. Prior to the final group game in Trinidad, Columbus is on the road for three consecutive, beginning with the Open Cup Final in Seattle. Projection: Second. The Crew will have to rally to finish second although they are in the spot currently. With the importance of the next match, they will probably play to a draw in Crew Stadium against Santos before the daunting trip to Guatemala after playing in New England. In the end, the match in Trinidad will decide their fate as Municipal will probably be in second at the time by a point or two.

Municipal (Guatemala): C+
The Guatemalans can’t seem to get over the hump in the CCL despite playing well in domestic league play. They fell on a 14th minute goal on the road in the opener to Columbus. They then needed 77 minutes to break a stalemate at home against Joe Public courtesy of Mario Rodriguez only to see the 10-visitors visitors tie it up at the last minute. At home against Santos Laguna, they looked out of it down two, but rallied on a goal from Rodriguez and an 87th minute penalty from Carlos Castillo. Current league record: 6-1-2.

Outlook – Despite trailing by four points, Municipal are actually in position to contend for the second berth from the group as heavyweight Santos Laguna is the final opponent and they host second-place Columbus. Projection: Third. Municipal should win in the Caribbean in the next match and will likely top the visiting Crew, who will be tired from the busy slate, to move into second. It will rest on the final match in Mexico against Santos, who will have already clinched, giving them a chance. But winning in Mexico is extremely rare, giving the Crew the chance to reclaim second.

Joe Public (Trinidad & Tobago): D+
With their season finished well before the competition, the club has performed respectably, first advancing from the group phase and making each of the three matches thus far interesting. In the opener against Santos Laguna, it was back-and-forth and level at two apiece at the break as Makan Hislop and Yu Hoshide each notched equalizers. Eventually the Mexican giants pulled away for the 5-2 win. They then earned a stunning draw in Guatemala despite playing a man down due to an 80th minute Jevon Morris red, pulling level in the final moments via Micah Lewis. They battled the Crew to a scoreless draw for the first 45 before succumbing to three unanswered in the second half.

Outlook – The tournament is a difficult task for a club in offseason form, and with the tournament also taking breaks for the international calendar, finding a rhythm is also trying. Projection: Fourth. A home match against Municipal could provide life, but will most likely shut the door. Regardless, with the next match in Mexico, they will be all but finished, making the closing match against Columbus a chance to play for pride at home and potentially spoil the Crew’s chance of advancing.

CCL Mid-Term Report: GROUP A

2010-09-20T11:55:00.000-04:00

Current Standings (Points, WDL, GD)
Cruz Azul… 6… 2-0-1… +6
Real Salt Lake… 6… 2-0-1… +3
Toronto FC… 3… 1-0-2… -3
Arabe Unido… 3… 1-0-2… -6

Home clubs have won five of the six matches thus far with Arabe Unido the lone exception in their match against Cruz Azul. Real Salt Lake, despite being in their first appearance, have kept pace with the two-time finalists from Mexico.

Report Cards

Cruz Azul (Mexico): B
The Mexican side was stunned on the road at Toronto in the opener, falling 2-1 with a late goal after trailing by two since the 44th. They got the first goal from Javier Orozco in the next game against RSL, but saw the visitors rally for a two goal lead after 63 minutes. But Orozco was not done as he scored the next three for the two-time finalists as they fought back for the lead in the 88th minute. But it was not over as RSL tallied in stoppage to tie before Christian Gimenez hit the dramatic winner. Domination finally came as they faced their second Panamanian club of the tournament. After having previously beaten San Francisco 2-1 on the road and 6-0 at home in the Preliminary Round, Cruz Azul posted a second 6-0 result, this time on the road versus Arabe Unido, giving them the two biggest wins of the competition. Current league record: 7-0-1.

Outlook – Advancement is virtually assured at this point despite the group being so close as no MLS club has won in Mexico and Cruz Azul hosts Toronto next. They also host Arabe Unido before playing the final group match in Utah. They will be focused on maximizing the points at home to clinch before week six as they face tough domestic contests versus America, at Toluca and against Santos Laguna leading up to the RSL match. Projection: First. Cruz Azul should comfortably win at home in the next two, making the final match nearly meaningless.

Real Salt Lake (MLS): B+
Alvaro Saborio scored twice to give RSL the 2-1 win in the opener at home against Arabe Unido and scored the first two in the club’s initial rally in Mexico against Cruz Azul in the heartbreaking 5-4 loss. They found themselves trailing again versus Toronto at home, but the club responded with goals from Kyle Beckerman, Jamison Olave and a penalty from Saborio before wrapping up with a tally from Paulo Araujo. The run has been even more impressive with the club’s defeat at Cruz Azul being the lone loss overall (5-2-1) since the weekend prior to the start of group play.

Outlook – With Cruz Azul likely to lock up a spot with its next two matches, RSL will be battling to keep pace for the second berth to the Quarterfinals with matches away from home against Arabe Unido and Toronto. It is a difficult travel stretch as the club will over the next month as they lead up to the group finale against Cruz Azul in Salt Lake City with a home fixture between the two CCL dates followed by road trips to New England and New York after they visit Toronto. Fortunately, they will be back home versus Dallas before a final game that could be critical if they drop points in the next two. Projection: Second. RSL will win at least one of the next two, and if they can pick up a point in the other, they will book their ticket to the next round.

Toronto FC (MLS): C
It has been a rough go of it for the lone Canadian representatives. They shocked Mexican giants and two-time finalists Cruz Azul, 2-1, in the opening match with a goal from Martin Saric three minutes in and a second from Mista right before the break. But the shocking victory proved to be a curse. Going into the match, TFC had lost only three of the last 18 overall (7-8-3) in MLS, CCL and Nutrilite Canadian Championship. After the win, the club went on a seven-game winless stretch (0-2-5) that saw them shutout in five consecutive games overall at one point. That ended this week in league play at Houston with Dwayne DeRosario scoring two dramatic free kicks to come from behind, 2-1. In CCL play during that time, Toronto fell, 1-0, at Arabe Unido and were beaten in Utah, 4-1, by their league rivals after opening the scoring through Maicon Santos nine minutes in. Current league record: 8-7-10.

Outlook – Despite being third in the MLS Eastern Conference, the club is on the outside of the playoff picture behind four clubs from the west. This will be the biggest factor as the club will be facing the dilemma of international versus domestic in weighing competition importance. Traditionally, MLS playoffs have been the most important around the league and with the next match coming at Cruz Azul, the club will likely be putting its emphasis on league play. But if the door opens with an RSL loss in Panama, the second berth will be within reach with home matches versus RSL and Arabe Unido in the final two matches. Projection: Third. After an expected loss in Mexico, Toronto will probably play RSL to a draw or narrowly lose the match. By the time the final match comes, they will probably be out of the playoff race, allowing them to focus on finishing CCL play with pride versus Arabe Unido.

Arabe Unido (Panama): C-
The Panamanian side nearly got off to a great start on the road against Real Salt Lake with the opening goal from Armando Cooper 13 minutes in and despite playing a man down from 28 minutes on was in the running for a 1-1 draw before seeing it slip from their grasps on a stoppage time penalty kick. Returning home, they upended Toronto FC, 1-0, on a 40th minute strike from Fidel Caesar stood as they played with a man advantage for the final 40 minutes. The momentum slowed during the two-week break as they went 1-1-1 in league play before suffering a devastating 6-0 loss at home to Cruz Azul, which has been followed up with another league loss. Current league record: 4-2-2.

Outlook – The upcoming contest at home against RSL will set the course for Arabe Unido. If they can post a victory, it will break the race wide open for the second spot out of the group as they travel to play Cruz Azul a week later. If they fall to RSL, it will be a race for third with Toronto, whom they travel to play in the final match. Projection: Fourth. The club will be close against RSL, but a loss at Toronto in the finale will be the difference.

North America Round-Up: Minnesota Makes Major Push for D2 Playoffs

2010-09-20T09:03:00.000-04:00

While the top clubs in Mexico were victorious in

Mexico

, it was a week for the underdogs north of the border. CONCACAF Champions League losers Toronto and Seattle posted big wins in Major League Soccer while in the second tier Minnesota stole the headlines with a significant climb into the playoff picture with a pair of victories as the league leaders went winless and the two Floridian clubs were eliminated from contention.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

The big shock of the week was the US Open Cup Final preview between the midweek CONCACAF Champions League losing Seattle Sounders, who will host the cup final, and CCL winning Columbus Crew in Ohio, where the visitors stunned the Eastern Conference leaders, 4-0, with newcomer Blaise N’Kufo tallying three goals on the night Saturday. It was the first time Columbus had lost back-to-back league matches this year.

The other CCL clubs both posted wins Saturday. Real Salt Lake used an Alvaro Saborio penalty just before the break to beat the visiting Chicago Fire. Toronto FC, which lost its CCL contest under new interim coach Nick Dasovic were trailing after a Brian Ching goal in Houston, but Dwayne DeRosario scored with two rockets on lengthy free kicks on the hour mark and four minutes into stoppage time for the win.

The week started with San Jose winning at home, 1-0, against Philadelphia Wednesday with championship contenders New York and Dallas exchanged goals in Texas for a 2-2 draw Thursday. Another title contender avoided an embarrassing upset at home to DC United with Landon Donovan scoring two great goals in the final nine minutes to give Los Angeles a 2-1 win Saturday night.

In other results, the Colorado Rapids blanked visiting New England, 3-0, to remain squarely inside the playoff picture Saturday while Kansas City won on the road in Sunday’s lone fixture, 2-0, against Chivas USA to keep themselves in the race for the postseason.

USSF DIVISION-2

With leaders Austin, Rochester and Vancouver going winless on the week, the headliners were the NSC Minnesota Stars, who posted a pair of 1-0 victories to put themselves right in the middle of the playoff hunt. They took advantage of a 19th minute Devon McKenney send-off against Carolina with a Devin Del Do strike to down the RailHawks Wednesday. They then grabbed a third consecutive win Saturday against the Whitecaps with another Del Do goal.

Austin came up empty on two occasions, both in dramatic fashion. On Thursday, Maxwell Griffin’s score in Tampa looked to be enough before Aaron King struck in stoppage time for a 1-1 draw. Two nights later in St Louis, The Aztex answered a Brad Stisser strike with an equalizer in the first minute of stoppage time from outside the area by Eddie Johnson only to see 16-year-old Luis Gil, on loan from RSL, strike his first professional goal two minutes later for a 2-1 win. Rochester was unable to capitalize to expand its lead, falling in a 2-1 stunner at home as Miami rallied on goals from Danilo and Abe Thompson in a busy game that saw all three goals in the first 24 minutes Friday.

The RailHawks rebounded with a 4-2 road victory over struggling Baltimore, which has lost six straight, with three goals in the first 14 minutes. The two strikes not only pulled the hosts within a goal, but ended a run of five games without a goal that dated back to their last win, ironically, against Carolina, 2-1.

Another dramatic finish this week saw Portland register a surprise 1-0 win in Puerto Rico on a stoppage time strike from Kalif Alhassan as they stretched an unbeaten run to eight game and a shutout streak to four games and 424 minutes.

The week wrapped Sunday with a result that had profound affect on the playoff race as Tampa Bay travelled to Montreal representing themselves and rival Miami. A 3-0 loss behind a pair of Ali Gerba goals knocked both Florida sides out of the playoff chase and solidified the Impact’s chances.

Trailing Puerto Rico by seven points and the duo of Minnesota and Montreal by eight, AC St Louis is the only club outside the playoff zone capable of reaching the postseason, but must be nearly perfect in its final three games against Miami and league leaders Austin and Rochester with at least one of the three failing to earn a win.

MEXICO

Friday, September 17

Estudiantes Tecos 2-2 Pumas UNAM

In a wild back-and-forth affair, the home club got on the board first with a blistering 35-yard shot that was just over the keeper’s reach and under the bar off the foot of Jorge Zamogilny 20 minutes in. A similar shot from 40 yards by Jehu Chiapas tied the match up when goalkeeper Mario Rodriguez, who made an excellent save earlier, mishandled the ball as it struck the ground beside his feet. Pumas took the lead on a ball played behind the defense that Martin Bravo ran onto and quickly shot inside the post from 15 yards. But in the 53rd minute Chiapas gave Tecos hope as he was sent off for a studs-up tackle. The visitors clamped down though and the terms were leveled with Elgabry Rangel seeing red eight minutes from time for a foul on a Pumas breakaway. Three minutes later the hosts scored on an bizarre play in which a cross from the right being cleared out was headed off a Tecos player, ricocheting directly to Mauro Cejas who bodied it down and struck a 10-yard volley for the draw. Scoring – EST: Jorge Zamogilny 20, Mauro Cejas 85… PUM: Jehu Chiapas 38, Martin Bravo 47

Saturday, September 18

Cruz Azul 3-0 Queretaro

Just under a half-hour into the match, the league leaders opened the scoring when Emanuel Villa headed in a cross from the left from the top of the six in front of the far post. Six minutes later a ball slipped deep down the left was popped high on a cross to the far post, where it was headed back to the middle of the six for an easy empty netter from Maxi Biancucchi. With the match in hand, Adrian Cortes struck a brilliant free kick three minutes into stoppage time from 20 yards into the upper right corner. Scoring – CA: Emanuel Villa 28, Maxi Biancucchi 34, Adrian Cortes 93+

Monterrey 2-0 Atlas

The lone unbeatens were kept in check by the rain-soaked field, woodwork and visiting Atlas, the lone winless side, for 50 minutes before a six-minute span made the difference. Goalkeeper Pedro Hernandez made a significant error when passing the ball, sending it directly to Aldo De Nigris, who buried the shot in the 51st. Humberto Suazo was left all alone for the second strike in the 57th minute. Scoring – MON: Aldo De Nigris 51, Humberto Suazo 57

Santos Laguna 2-1 Necaxa

The darling promoted side nearly had another impressive draw, but saw it slip away with two late goals by one of the title contenders. Juan Mosqueda gave the visitors the advantage four minutes before the break on a corner to the near post that was flicked onto the open man for an easy score. But just before the match went to halftime, the hosts leveled on a great give-and-go in which the Cristian Benitez spun and played the ball into space for Felipe Baloy, who finished from 10 yards seconds before the whistle. A deserving draw was snatched with another late goal on a fantastic give-and-go, this time with Benitez on the receiving end for a 15-yard winner three minutes into stoppage time. Scoring – SL: Felipe Baloy 45, Cristian Benitez 93+… NEC: Juan Mosqueda 41

Chivas Guadalajara 0-3 Jaguares Chiapas

A defensive error 15 minutes sealed the fate for Chivas as a high ball was mis-headed backwards by a defender, allowing Carlos Ochoa to touch the ball around the keeper at the edge of the box and send it into the empty net. The home side kept themselves in the game despite playing a man down after an Omar Bravo red card in the 36th, but stoppage time clinched the victory for the struggling Jaguares side, who with the win still sit last in Group C. A minute into the added-on time, a cross toward the far post was deflected away by the keeper only to be headed in from five yards by Ochoa, who managed to squeeze in the hat-trick three minutes later when he took advantage of a spread out defense in stoppage time to round out the scoring from 14 yards.Scoring – JAG: Carlos Ochoa 15, 91+, 94+

San Luis 1-0 Pachuca

Surprising San Luis remained a contender to win Group B with third straight victory. Just before 10 minutes had passed, Othoniel Arce sent the ball into back of the net for what stood as the winner. Scoring – SL: Othoniel Arce 9

Atlante 2-0 Morelia

Deadlocked for over an hour, a simple corner in the 63rd minute was headed down and over the line by Andres Carevic for the home side. With eight minutes remaining, Atlante was on a fast counter that was stopped by a foul 28 yards from goal. Johan Fano launched a beautiful dead ball that soared over the wall and just past the stretched out fingers of the netminder inside the left post. Scoring – ATL: Andres Carevic 63, Johan Fano 82

Sunday, September 19

Toluca 2-1 America

The home side kept even with San Luis in the table with a big win over America. It was not easy beating Guillermo Ochoa, but the breakthrough finally came in the 24th minute when Hector Mancilla turned and unleashed a blast past the keeper. Four minutes into the second half the visitors found an equalizer through Vicente Vuoso, who put away a Pavel Pardo ball away at the far post. Sinha tallied the Toluca winner in the 77th on a fantastic free kick. Scoring – TOL: Hector Mancilla 24, Sinha 77… AME: Vicente Vuoso 49

Puebla 1-3 Tigres UANL

Itamar Bautista’s hat-trick in 35 minutes downed the host side. The first came from inside the box in the 22nd minute with the second seven minutes later when a long ball came to him for an easy finish. He finished his scoring 10 minutes before the break and Publa would find only one in response as Gabriel Pereyra connected on a free kick. Scoring – PUE: Gabriel Pereyra 64… TIG: Itamar Bautista 22, 28, 35

Salvadoran Players Shot in Car-Jacking

2010-09-19T22:45:00.000-04:00

Three players returning home after their Isidro Metapan match Saturday evening against Universidad de El Salvador were the target of what is believed to be a car-jacking at a gas station with two players victims of gunfire.

El Salvador Youth International defender Nelson Rivera, son of former Salvadoran international Nelson Portillo, is the most severely injured as a bullet entered his head at the ear and was considered in critical condition after four hours of surgery. It is believed that the bullet that struck Rivera, 19, was the same that grazed the head of teammate and driver Andres Flores. Also in the car was 19-year-old Kevin Santamaria.

Reportedly, the trio stopped at the gas station to refill when two assailants approached the car. When the players saw the weapons, they responded by running from the area, which prompted the gunmen to fire at the car before fleeing themselves.

Isidro Metapan were victorious in the match earlier against UES, 2-1, and are at the top of the table with a record of 5-1-2 and 16 points. The 20-year-old Flores, a youth international dating back to the U15's in 2002, played the entire match for the club and has one goal so far this season.

Coming Up Around CONCACAF

2010-09-17T08:39:00.000-04:00

It has been a week of dominance thus far thanks to the CONCACAF Champions League where the winning teams outscored their opposition 22-1 with Toronto FC scoring the lone goal in defeat while Municipal and Santos Laguna tallied four goals in the lone draw of the third installment of group play.

The midweek Champions League action was joined by a handful of matches in the United States and a nearly-full slate in El Salvador. The home sides in MLS and USSF Division-2 were unbeaten with San Jose and Minnesota winning Wednesday while FC Dallas and Tampa Bay earned draws Thursday against New York and Austin, respectively. While the struggling Salvadoran side FAS was in action in the CCL, the top four clubs in Panama were all in action Wednesday, posting victories to leave things status quo.

There are several marquee match-ups coming up over the weekend throughout CONCACAF. In Mexico, Group B leaders America and Toluca will meet in one of the two matches that wrap the week up Sunday. Also on Sunday, Honduras’ two current Champions League participants Olimpia and Marathon square off while in Guatemala, two of the top three sides face one another as Comunicaciones hosts leader Municipal. On Saturday, fourth-place Sporting San Miguelito faces co-leader and Champions League side Arabe Unido in Panama’s key contest.

In Major League Soccer Saturday, the Columbus Crew are home against the Seattle Sounders in a preview of the US Open Cup Championship game to be played in Seattle three weeks later. The next tier is all about the race for the final four playoff berths as only three weeks remain in the regular season.

MIDWEEK MATCH RESULTS (TSB Pro Power Rankings in parenthesis)

CONCACAF Champions League

Tuesday (17) Columbus Crew 3-0 Joe Public (49)… (2) Monterrey 2-0 Marathon (19)… (45) Municipal 2-2 Santos Laguna (9)… (55) Deportivo Saprissa 2-0 Seattle Sounders (28) – Wednesday (6) Toluca 3-0 Puerto Rico Islanders (29)… (32) Arabe Unido 0-6 Cruz Azul (1)… (4) Real Salt Lake 4-1 Toronto FC (21) – Thursday (25) Olimpia 2-0 FAS (82)

League Matches

Wednesday MLS (20) San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 Philadelphia Union (38)... USSF-D2 (94) NSC Minnesota Stars 1-0 Carolina RailHawks (54)… Costa Rica (70) Aguila 1-0 Universidad de El Salvador (95)… (61) Firpo 2-0 Once Municipal (77)… (71) Alianza 2-1 Atletico Marte (NR)… (47) Isidro Metapan 2-1 Vista Hermosa (76)… Thursday MLS (3) FC Dallas 2-2 New York Red Bulls (13)… USSF-D2 (91) Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-1 Austin Aztex (34)

COMING UP AROUND CONCACAF

Friday, September 17

USSF Division-2: (93) Miami FC Blues @ Rochester Rhinos (48)

Mexico: (16) Pumas UNAM @ Estudiantes Tecos (36)

El Salvador: (61) Firpo @ Vista Hermosa 76)… (95) Universidad de El Salvador @ Isidro Metapan (47)

Panama: (62) Chorrillo @ Plaza Amador (NR)… (100) Atletico Veraguense @ San Francisco (56)

Saturday, September 18

Major League Soccer: (22) Chicago Fire @ Real Salt Lake (4)… (28) Seattle Sounders @ Columbus Crew (17)… (21) Toronto FC @ Houston Dynamo (46)… (33) New England Revolution @ Colorado Rapids (23)… (52) DC United @ Los Angeles Galaxy (14)

USSF Division-2: (54) Carolina RailHawks @ Crystal Palace Baltimore (NR)… (44) Portland Timbers @ Puerto Rico Islanders (29)… (35) Vancouver Whitecaps @ NSC Minnesota Stars (94)… (34) Austin Aztex @ AC St Louis (98)

Mexico: (43) Atlas @ Monterrey (2)… (37) Necaxa @ Santos Laguna (9)… (27) Jaguares Chiapas @ Chivas Guadalajara (5)… (18) Pachuca @ San Luis (12)… (11) Morelia @ Atlante (41)

Costa Rica: (74) Santos de Guapiles @ San Carlos (64)

El Salvador: (70) Aguila @ Atletico Balboa (96)… (82) FAS @ Atletico Marte (NR)… (71) Alianza @ Once Municipal (77)

Guatemala: (68) Malacateco @ Marquense (59)

Honduras: (37) Necaxa @ Victoria (85)… (86) Vida @ Platense (40)

Panama: (72) Sporting San Miguelito @ Arabe Unido (32)… (58) Tauro @ Alianza (99)

Sunday, September 19

Major League Soccer: (30) Kansas City Wizards @ Chivas USA (39)

USSF Division-2: (91) Tampa Bay Rowdies @ Montreal Impact (53)

Mexico: (7) America @ Toluca (6)… (10) Tigres UANL @ Puebla (24)

Costa Rica: (NR) Perez Zeledon @ Puntarenas (92)… (63) Herediano @ Universidad de Costa Rica (NR)… (55) Deportivo Saprissa @ Barrio Mexico (31)

Guatemala: (67) Xinabajul @ Mictlan (80)… (NR) Universidad San Carlos @ Suchitepequez (97)… (84) Xelaju @ Heredia (69)… (51) Juventud Retalteca @ Penarol La Mesilla (NR)… (45) Municipal @ Comunicaciones (50)

Honduras: (NR) Hispano @ Deportes Savio (81)… (25) Olimpia @ Marathon (19)… (57) Real Espana @ Motagua (42)

Panama: (90) Atletico Chiriqui @ Chepo (73)

Monday, September 19 – Costa Rica (66) Brujas @ Alajuelense (15)

TSB Power Rankings: Mexican Shake-Up

2010-09-14T17:27:00.000-04:00

The results in Mexico after a week off led to plenty of movement in the Top 10 of TSB’s CONCACAF Pro Club Power Rankings this week with Monterrey taking Santos Laguna’s spot at number two.

Santos Laguna’s shocking 5-2 loss to Queretaro saw them drop to number nine on the list as Monterrey narrowly defeated fellow top 10 side Tigres, 1-0, to claim the second spot as they remain the lone unbeaten in the league, surpassing the Major League Soccer duo of FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake that were unable to take advantage of the upset south of the border, each playing to a scoreless draw. Chivas Guadalara also moved into the first five with a draw against Pachuca with Toluca moving into the Top 10 with a 1-1 draw on the road against Necaxa, who moved up to eighth from 17. In between the two is America, which climbed from 18 to seven with a 2-0 victory over seventh-ranked Morelia.

Big movers further down the list included Honduran leader Platense, which won, 1-0, on the road against Olimpia to climb 12 spots to 40. In Guatemala, a 1-1 draw between co-leaders Comunicaciones and Juventud Retalteca closed the gap between the two as Juventud jumped from 64 to 51. In Panama, San Francisco continued to show good form with only one defeat, rising 20 spots to 56. Another Panamanian club with one loss, Chorrillo is not far behind at 62 after a jump of 12.

Moving into the list this week were the Miami FC Blues, which upset Montreal, as well as Universidad de El Salvador, Atletico Balboa, Suchitepequez and Alianza, knocking the clubs Atletico Marte (El Salvador), Hispano (Honduras), Plaza Amador (Panama), Crystal Palace Baltimore (USSF-D2) and Charlotte Eagles (USL-2) out of the Top 100.

TSB’s CONCACAF Pro Club Power Rankings

(Champions League - Group Stage clubs in yellow)

Rank . [Previous] … Club (League) … League Record W-D-L … Notes

1 . [1] … Cruz Azul (MEX) … 6-0-1 … 3-1 W @ Atlas

2 . [6] … Monterrey (MEX) … 4-3-0 … 1-0 W @ Tigres

3 . [3] … FC Dallas (MLS) … 10-11-2 … 0-0 D @ San Jose Earthquakes

4 . [4] … Real Salt Lake (MLS) … 12-8-4 … 0-0 D @ Seattle Sounders

5 . [9] … Chivas Guadalajara (MEX) … 2-3-1 … 1-1 D @ Pachuca

6 . [11] … Toluca (MEX) … 2-4-1 … 1-1 D @ Necaxa

7 . [18] … America (MEX) … 3-3-1 … 2-0 W @ Morelia

8 . [17] … Necaxa (MEX) … 1-4-2 … 1-1 D v Toluca

9 . [2] … Santos Laguna (MEX) … 5-0-2 … 2-5 L @ Queretaro

10 . [5] … Tigres UANL (MEX) … 2-2-3 … 0-1 L v Monterrey

11 . [7] … Morelia (MEX) … 3-1-2 … 0-2 L v America

12 . [16] … San Luis (MEX) … 4-1-2 … 1-0 W @ Pumas

13 . [10] … New York Red Bulls (MLS) … 12-4-8 … 3-1 W v Colorado Rapids

14 . [22] … Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) … 14-5-5 … 3-1 W v Columbus Crew

15 . [13] … Alajuelense (CRC) … 7-1-0 … 1-0 W @ Universidad de Costa Rica

16 . [8] … Pumas UNAM (MEX) … 3-1-3 … 0-1 L v San Luis

17 . [12] … Columbus Crew (MLS) … 13-5-6 … 1-3 L @ Los Angeles Galaxy

18 . [19] … Pachuca (MEX) … 1-3-3 … 1-1 D v Chivas Guadalajara

19 . [25] … Marathon (HON) … 2-3-1 … 0-0 D v Necaxa

20 . [21] … San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) … 9-6-7 … 0-0 D v FC Dallas

21 . [14] … Toronto FC (MLS) … 7-7-10 … 0-0 D @ Chicago Fire, 0-1 L v DC United

22 . [26] … Chicago Fire (MLS) … 6-8-8 … 0-0 D v Toronto FC, 0-1 L @ Philadelphia Union

23 . [20] … Colorado Rapids (MLS) … 9-7-7 … 1-3 L @ New York Red Bulls

24 . [15] … Puebla (MEX) … 3-2-2 … 0-4 L @ Jaguares

25 . [24] … Olimpia (HON) … 1-4-1 … 0-1 L v Platense

26 . [35] … Queretaro (MEX) … 3-1-3 … 5-2 W v Santos Laguna

27 . [27] … Jaguares Chiapas (MEX) … 1-3-3 … 4-0 W v Puebla

28 . [34] … Seattle Sounders (MLS) … 9-6-9 … 0-0 D v Real Salt Lake

29 . [23] … Puerto Rico Islanders (USSFD2) … 9-9-9 … 1-2 L v Montreal, 3-1 W v Austin

30 . [29] … Kansas City Wizards (MLS) … 7-6-9 … Idle

31 . [37] … Barrio Mexico (CRC) … 6-1-1 … 1-0 W v Limon

32 . [30] … Aribe Unido (PAN) … 4-2-1 … 1-1 D @ Atletico Chiriqui

33 . [32] … New England Revolution (MLS) … 7-3-13 … 0-2 L @ Chivas USA

34 . [31] … Austin Aztex (USSFD2) … 14-7-4 … 1-3 L @ Puerto Rico Islanders

35 . [33] … Vancouver Whitecaps (USSFD2) … 10-14-3 … 3-0 W @ Crystal Palace Baltimore

36 . [38] … Estudiantes Tecos (MEX) … 2-1-4 … 1-0 W @ Atlante

37 . [40] … Necaxa (HON) … 3-2-1 … 0-0 D @ Marathon

38 . [42] … Philadelphia Union (MLS) … 6-6-11 … 1-0 W v Chicago Fire

39 . [45] … Chivas USA (MLS) … 7-4-12 … 2-0 W v New England Revolution

40 . [52] … Platense (HON) … 4-1-1 … 1-0 W @ Olimpia

41 . [28] … Atlante (MEX) … 1-1-5 … 0-1 L v Estudiantes

42 . [36] … Motagua (HON) … 1-3-2 … 2-2 D @ Vida

43 . [39] … Atlas (MEX) … 0-1-6 … 1-3 L v Cruz Azul

44 . [41] … Portland Timbers (USSFD2) … 11-10-7 … 0-0 D @ Carolina RailHawks

45 . [48] … Municipal (GUA) … 4-1-2 … 1-0 W v Mictlan

46 . [44] … Houston Dynamo (MLS) … 6-5-12 … Idle

47 . [43] … Isidro Metapan (SLV) … 3-1-2 … 1-4 L @ Aguila

48 . [46] … Rochester Rhinos (USSFD2) … 14-6-6 … 3-0 W v Tampa Bay Rowdies

49 . [47] … Joe Public (TRI) … 5-4-1 F …

50 . [49] … Comunicaciones (GUA) … 3-4-0 … 1-1 D @ Juventud Retalteca

51 . [64] … Juventud Retalteca (GUA) … 3-2-2 … 1-1 D v Comunicaciones

52 . [55] … DC United (MLS) … 5-3-15 … 1-0 W @ Toronto FC

53 . [50] … Montreal Impact (USSFD2) … 9-7-11 … 2-1 W @ Puerto Rico, 1-2 L @ Miami

54 . [53] … Carolina RailHawks (USSFD2) … 10-8-8 … 0-0 D v Portland Timbers

55 . [59] … Deportivo Saprissa (CRC) … 3-2-3 … 4-1 W v Perez Zeledon

56 . [76] … San Francisco (PAN) … 3-3-1 … 1-0 W @ Sporting San Miguelito

57 . [60] … Real Espana (HON) … 3-1-2 … 3-1 W @ Hispano

58 . [61] … Tauro (PAN) … 2-4-1 … 2-0 W v Plaza Amador

59 . [62] … Marquense (GUA) … 3-3-1 … 1-1 D @ Universidad San Carlos

60 . [51] … Charleston Battery (USL2) … 11-5-4 F …

61 . [65] … Firpo (SLV) … 3-2-1 … 2-0 W @ Atletico Marte

62 . [74] … Chorrillo (PAN) … 4-2-1 … 1-0 W v Chepo

63 . [54] … Herediano (CRC) … 4-2-2 … 1-1 D v Santos de Guapiles

64 . [56] … San Carlos (CRC) … 4-1-2 … 0-0 D @ Brujas

65 . [57] … Defence Force (TRI) … 10-0-0 F …

66 . [58] … Brujas (CRC) … 3-2-3 … 0-0 D v San Carlos

67 . [63] … Xinabajul (GUA) … 4-0-3 … 0-2 L v Heredia

68 . [66] … Malacateco (GUA) … 3-2-2 … 0-0 D v Penarol La Mesilla

69 . [72] … Heredia (GUA) … 3-2-2 … 2-0 W @ Xinabajul

70 . [73] … Aguila (SLV) … 3-1-2 … 4-1 W v Isidro Metapan

71 . [67] … Alianza (SLV) … 2-3-1 … 0-2 L @ Atletico Balboa

72 . [68] … Sporting San Miguelito (PAN) … 3-2-2 … 0-1 L v San Francisco

73 . [69] … Chepo (PAN) … 3-2-2 … 0-1 L @ Chorrillo

74 . [70] … Santos de Guapiles (CRC) … 2-4-2 … 1-1 D @ Herediano

75 . [71] … Richmond Kickers (USL2) … 9-6-5 F …

76 . [75] … Vista Hermosa (SLV) … 2-3-1 … 0-0 D @ Once Municipal

77 . [80] … Once Municipal (SLV) … 2-3-1 … 0-0 D v Vista Hermosa

78 . [77] … San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) … 4-3-3 F …

79 . [83] … Cartagines (CRC) … 3-3-2 … 3-1 W v Puntarenas

80 . [78] … Mictlan (GUA) … 3-1-3 … 0-1 L @ Municipal

81 . [85] … Deportes Savio (HON) … 2-2-2 … 1-0 W v Victoria

82 . [79] … FAS (SLV) … 1-1-4 … 1-2 L @ Universidad de El Salvador

83 . [86] … Limon (CRC) … 2-1-5 … 0-1 L @ Barrio Mexico

84 . [81] … Xelaju (GUA) … 3-0-4 … 0-1 L v Suchitepequez

85 . [84] … Victoria (HON) … 2-2-2 … 0-1 L @ Deportes Savio

86 . [93] … Vida (HON) … 1-2-3 … 2-2 D v Motagua

87 . [89] … Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL2) … 7-8-5 F …

88 . [90] … W Connection (TRI) … 5-2-3 F …

89 . [91] … Ma Pau (TRI) … 4-5-1 F …

90 . [96] … Atletico Chiriqui (PAN) … 1-4-2 … 1-1 D v Arabe Unido

91 . [87] … Tampa Bay Rowdies (USSFD2) … 6-10-10 … 0-3 L @ Rochester Rhinos

92 . [88] … Puntarenas (CRC) … 2-1-5 … 1-3 L @ Cartagines

93 . [NR] … Miami FC Blues (USSFD2) … 4-11-11 … 2-1 W v Montreal Impact

94 . [99] … NSC Minnesota (USSFD2) … 8-7-12 … 3-0 W @ AC St Louis

95 . [NR] … Universidad de El Salvador (SLV) … 2-2-2 … 2-1 W v FAS

96 . [NR] … Atletico Balboa (SLV) … 1-3-2 … 2-0 W v Alianza

97 . [NR] … Suchitepiquez (GUA) … 2-1-4 … 1-0 W @ Xelaju

98 . [82] … AC St Louis (USSFD2) … 6-8-12 … 0-3 L v NSC Minnesota Stars

99 . [NR] … Alianza (PAN) … 1-2-4 … 4-1 W @ Atletico Veraguense

100 . [92] … Atletico Veraguense (PAN) … 2-0-5 … 1-4 L v Alianza

Central America Round-Up

2010-09-14T10:06:00.000-04:00

Unlike their North American counterparts, the Champions League sides still representing Central America in the tournament performed well domestically prior to the third week of the Group Phase with an overall record of 2-2-2.

The two losses were understandable, in the case of Olimpia, and not surprising, in respect to FAS. Olimpia was edged by Platense, who moved into the league lead in Honduras. FAS, however, has struggled mightily in El Salvador league play and dropped its match to one-win Universidad de El Salvador, remaining in last.

Costa Rica

Saturday, September 11

Barrio Mexico 1-0 Limon
Leaders of the group, the host side extended its unbeaten streak to four games with a third consecutive win on a 50th minute strike from Maykol Ortiz despite playing a man short since the send-off of William Phillips for slapping the face of an opponent in the 41st minute. Scoring – BM: Maykol Ortiz 50

Deportivo Saprissa 4-1 Perez Zeledon
A perfectly place shot from Walter Centeno outside the box gave the hosts the advantage after just six minutes, but found the match even at the break as Evera Alfaro headed in a corner on the half-hour mark. A foul in the area allowed Alejandro Sequeira to restore the lead in the 68th from the spot and Josue Martinez locked up the win with two goals four minutes apart, escaping the defense in the 75th and heading in his second with a looper. Scoring – SAP: Walter Centeno 6, Alejandro Sequeira pen 68, Josue Martinez 75, 79… PZ: Ever Alfaro 30

Herediano 1-1 Santos de Guapiles
The visitors took the initial lead 19 minute in on an excellent shot from Hercules Cardoso. The winless streak from Santos de Guapiles, however, hit four as Victor Nunez got his head on the ball two minutes into first half stoppage time to pull level, moving Herediano, whose Jose Cancela hit the post on a 90th minute free kick, into second in the group. Scoring – HER: Victor Nunez 47+… SG: Hercules Cardoso 19

Sunday, September 12

Universidad de Costa Rica 0-1 Alajuelense
Riding a five-game win streak, visiting Alajuelense squeaked out its sixth against the league’s last place side with a solitary strike from Argenis Fernandez 10 minutes in. Scoring – ALA: Argenis Fernandez 10

Cartagines 3-1 Puntarenas
Two unanswered goals kept Cartagines in pace with group leader Barrio Mexico, posting its fourth straight in an unbeaten run. Delayed by a pre-match storm, the hosts wasted little time taking the lead as an excellent team play resulted in the Diego Pais leader 11 minutes in. The visitors nearly tied it up from the spot in the 34th, but Luis Torres stopped the shot from Mario Viquez. The equalizer did come, however, three minutes before the break on a header from Emmanuel Gaytan. Pais got a second two minutes into the second half on a loose ball in the area and Randall Brenes added insurance from the spot in the 58th. Five minutes later Bryan Zamora made a penalty save of his own, denying Esteban Granados. Scoring – CAR: Diego Pais 11, 47, Randall Brenes pen 58… PUN: Emmanuel Gaytan 42

Brujas 0-0 San Carlos
With Herediano playing to a draw the day before, San Carlos missed out on an opportunity to move into second of their group, but had to settle for remaining level. The stalemate, plagued with poor play and errant shots, left Brujas three points back in fourth.

El Salvador

Saturday, September 11

Universidad de El Salvador 2-1 FAS
The struggles for FAS continued as the club suffered its fourth defeat in five games, falling to one-win UES, which is on a run of three games without a loss with the victory. Scoring – UES: Rafael Burgos 29, Harold Alas 44… FAS: Alejandro Bentos 62

Aguila 4-1 Isidro Metapan
Shaw Martin beat two defenders to give the hosts the advantage 22 minutes in and Patricio Gomez scored the first of three in the 36th with a soft tap. A poor tackle in the 50th saw Hector Mejia expelled for Isidro Metapan, which still managed to find a goal through Mark Blanco in the 61st. But that was match was put our of reach with Gomez adding two more in the final 10 minutes. Scoring – AGU: Shaw Martin 22, Patricio Gomez 36, 83, 93+… IM: Mark Blanco 61

Sunday, September 12

Atletico Balboa 2-0 Alianza
Alianza’s first loss of the year came at the hands of last-place Atletico Balboa, the league’s lone remaining winless side. The result allowed two clubs to move ahead in the table, dropping the club from second to fourth. Scoring – AB: Luis Torres 3, Juan Campos 88

Atletico Marte 0-2 Firpo
The visitors took the lead in the 17th minute when an initial effort from Erick Scott was denied but fell to Hermes Martinez for a subtle finish. Scott would find his own tally in the 56th to double the lead when he scored from inside the area. Scoring – FIR: Hermes Martinez 17, Erick Scott 56

Once Municipal 0-0 Vista Hermosa
A clash of mid-table sides with identical records resulted in a scoreless stalemate, extending the matching unbeaten runs to four games, both at 2-2-0.

Guatemala

Saturday, September 11

Municipal 1-0 Mictlan
A narrow victory enabled Municipal to take sole possession of first as the two other sides, Juventud Retalteca and Comunicaciones played to a stalemate. The winner came in controversial fashion as Juan Jose Castillo tricked the referee into awarding a penalty which Guillermo Ramirez converted on 65 minutes. Scoring – MUN: Guillermo Ramirez pen 65

Universidad San Carlos 1-1 Marquense
Last-place USC prevented Marquense from moving into a tie for second with a late Erwin Aguilar Elias strike 12 minutes from time for the draw. The goal cancelled out Jonny Brown’s great individual effort in the 25th minute. Scoring – USC: Erwin Aguilar Elias 78… MAR: Jonny Brown 25

Xinabajul 0-2 Heredia
The visitors cluttered the middle of the table even more with the surprise victory, scoring twice in the final half hour to become one of nine teams within a four-point span ranging from second to 10th in the league. Scoring – HER: Henry Hernandez 64, Johny Leonardo 74

Sunday, September 12

Juventud Retalteca 1-1 Comunicaciones
The two sides were part of a three-way tie for first entering the match, but the result left both level for second as Municipal posted a win. Deadlocked at the half, Edgar Chinchilla gave the visitors the lead on a mid-range effort eight minutes into the second half, but Raul Gonzalez answered in the 66th. Scoring – JR: Raul Gonzalez 66… COM: Edgar Chinchilla 53

Malacateco 0-0 Penarol La Mesilla
The visitors finished a third consecutive without a loss, but are still only two points out of being in last after earning the draw against Malacateco, which is unbeaten in the last five games.

Xelaju 0-1 Suchitepequez
A last-minute Julio Estacuy own goal off a corner clearance proved costly for Xelaju as it kept the club from moving into sole possession of second place as the three clubs between them and the leader played to draws. Scoring – SUC: Own goal 89

Honduras

Friday, September 10

Marathon 0-0 Necaxa
The promoted darlings played the powerhouse Marathon side to a surprising draw, leaving Necaxa without a win in three and allowing Platense to grab sole possession of first.

Saturday, September 11

Vida 2-2 Motagua
Both sitting just ahead of last, neither was able to make a significant jump as they exchanged goals. The visitors twice replied to level the match to extend their unbeaten run to three games. Scoring – VID: Milton Ruiz 12, Jorge Lozano 86… MOT: Shannon Welcome 66, Roger Mondragon 87

Sunday, September 12

Deportes Savio 1-0 Victoria
A foul in the 46th minute proved the difference as the restart resulted in Julian Rapalo beating the keeper for the winner. The result moved Deportes Savio, winless in the previous three, into the middle of the table and halted Victoria’s four-game unbeaten streak. Scoring – DS: Julian Rapalo 46

Olimpia 0-1 Platense
A 20th minute penalty kick converted by Michel Rivera propelled Platense into sole possession of first as Olimpia suffered its first loss of the year after playing to four consecutive draws in league play. Scoring – PLA: Michel Rivera pen 20

Hispano 1-3 Real Espana
Alfredo Mejia’s free kick opened the scoring after 70 minutes of deadlock and Luis Lobo doubled the advantage with a blasted effort five minutes later. Oscar Torlacoff answered, but it was not enough as Mejia raced into the area and scored with five minutes left. Scoring – HIS: Oscar Torlacoff 79… RE: Alfredo Mejia 70, 85, Luis Lobo 75

Panama

Friday, September 10

Chorrillo 1-0 Chepo
The home side used a penalty for a key win that put the club into a tie for first as leaders Arabe Unido were unable to earn maximum points the following day. Chorrillo is now unbeaten in five. The loss kept Chepo from securing second. Scoring – CHO: Engin Mitre pen 21

Atletico Veraguense 1-4 Alianza
Alianza ended a five-game winless stretch, posting a big victory over the ninth place side. Scoring – AV: Marcos Aparicio 37… ALI: Cesar Medina 31, Own goal 45, Wilmer Lopez 59, Yairo Yau 60

Saturday, September 11

Atletico Chiriqui 1-1 Arabe Unido
The league lead slipped away from Arabe Unido as Atletico Chiriqui, winless since the opener, earned its four draw in five games on a late goal that negated the early opener for the Champions League side. Scoring – AC: Gabriel de Los Rios 79… AU: Luis Jaramilo 5

Sporting San Miguelito 0-1 San Francisco
The visitors extended their unbeaten run to five games, leaping over their hosts to move into third by a point. Scoring – SF: Gabriel Torres 67

Sunday, September 12

Tauro 2-0 Plaza Amador
Tauro ended a three-game winless run with a victory over the last-place side, which dropped its fourth consecutive contest. Scoring – TAU: Luis Renteria 38, Temistocles Perez 86

MLS Improving In CCL Play

2010-09-13T18:19:00.000-04:00

When the newly-formatted CONCACAF Champions League debuted in September of 2008, the critics were quick to jump all over Major League Soccer for failing to compete at a respectable level in an international competition. It was arguably a fair complaint given an initial 0-1-3 (W-D-L) record led to early Preliminary Round exits for Chivas USA and the New England Revolution against clubs from Panama and Trinidad, respectively. Move forward two years and the league is showing improvement in the competition.

Of the nine leagues that have been represented in more than one edition of the tournament, MLS got off to an embarrassing start as the worst league based on points percentage despite the Houston Dynamo reaching the Quarterfinals, thanks in part to those opening round results. Assigning points to each match, including head-to-head series, the percentage of points earned out of what was possible came to .222 that year with an eighth-place finish in the home (.296) and away (.148) percentages. MLS clubs were winless in nine road matches in the inaugural edition (0-4-5) with only Panama joining MLS without a road victory (0-2-6).

But since then, the league has improved.

In the second edition of the CCL, Major League Soccer ranked fourth in overall points percentage (.385) and fifth in home percentage (.462). On the road, the league made a shocking improvement to number two (.308).

Through the Preliminary Round and two matches into the current Group Phase, the league has continued to see improvements this year in two of the three categories, climbing to third in overall percentage (.476) and second at home (.714). Road results, however, have slipped to seventh (.238).

In total for the three tournaments, Major League Soccer’s percentages rank sixth overall and at home. On the road, the league is fifth.

But what about the others?

Mexico, to no surprise, is nearly perfect. Through the three years of the tournament, the Primera Division has been number one in all categories with two exceptions. In the inaugural 2008-09 tournament Mexican clubs finished tied with Honduras for third in road percentage behind first-place Panama and second-place USL-1 (now USSF Division-2). The league currently ranks second in that same category behind the USSF Division-2, represented by Puerto Rico, which posted a 4-1 victory over then MLS-leader Los Angeles in its lone road contest thus far.

The second division of US Soccer has been the big stunner in the tournament over its first three years. The runs of the Montreal Impact and Puerto Rico Islanders to the Quarterfinals and Semifinals of the inaugural tournament made headlines. Since then, the Islanders have continued represent the second tier well. The USSF-D2/USL-1 league currently ranks second overall (.520) and on the road (.396) through three years, and is third overall at home (.630).

The total figures for the three years did result in another shocking figure as the Trinidad & Tobago Pro League currently ranks third in points percentage for play on the road at .333 for a 4-2-8 record.

The greatest disparities between all-time home and road results in the CCL belong to Costa Rica and Panama. Costa Rica ranks fifth at home (.545) and eighth on the road (.182) while Panama has the greatest margin, ranking fourth at home (.608) and ninth while away (.157).

MLS clubs have found their greatest success against clubs from El Salvador with a points percentage of .542 overall and .833 at home. They also have a .833 average at home against clubs from Panama, the only other league in which they have earned at least half the points possible overall (.500). MLS sides are also over the .500 mark at home against Honduran clubs (.667).

Although MLS clubs have struggled on the road, the league has seen success against Costa Rica with a surprising .667 points percentage and is at .556 against USSF-D2 clubs away from home. While the futility in Mexico has garnered many headlines, the .083 points percentage against the confederation giants in their home nation is equal to that of the MLS results in Honduras.

This Week:

With RSL hosting Toronto Thursday, only two clubs will face competition other than domestic rivals. The Columbus Crew play host to Joe Public of Trinidad & Tobago Tuesday. MLS clubs all-time are .389 overall and .333 at home against clubs from T&T. The Seattle Sounders travel to play Saprissa Tuesday. MLS sides are .417 overall against clubs from Costa Rica.

Where They Rank (based on points percentage)

League … Overall … Home … Away

Costa Rica … 5 … 5 … 8

El Salvador … 9 … 8 … T6

Guatemala … 7 … 7 … T6

Honduras … 3 … 2 … 4

Mexico … 1 … 1 … 1

MLS … 6 … 6 … 5

Panama … 4 … 4 … 9

Trinidad … 8 … 9 … 3

USSF-D2 … 2 … 3 … 2

North America Round-Up: CCL Clubs Suffer League Upsets

2010-09-13T07:30:00.000-04:00

Five matches defined the week with the biggest one coming south of the border. Queretaro’s stunning 5-2 victory over Santos Laguna was one of three major upsets of the week – one in each league – as some CONCACAF Champions League teams had a rough outing on the eve of returning to group play. In total, the eight North American league-based CCL clubs finished the week 3-4-4 with Cruz Azul, Monterrey and Puerto Rico the only teams to earn wins.

Queretaro more than doubled their previous six-match goal total of four with the victory over the Champions League side, which had allowed just three goals in their league campaign. In Major League Soccer, it was last-place DC United downing Champions League side Toronto FC, 1-0, as the Canadians suffered their fifth shutout in six league games. The upset of the week in USSF Division-2 also came at the expense of a Champions League participant with Puerto Rico falling at home, 2-1, to Montreal midweek.

The Islanders did rebound to down league-leading Austin, 3-1, over the weekend much like the Los Angeles Galaxy, whom they knocked out of the CCL in the Preliminary Round, handily took a showdown of league-leaders by defeating CCL club Columbus by the same scoreline to advance from a three-way tie for first with the Crew and Real Salt Lake after a recent spell of poor form.

Major League Soccer

The Los Angeles Galaxy entered the weekend without sole possession of first place in quite some time after going three straight winless and dropping three of the previous five matches. But the dominant side from the fist half of the season re-emerged Saturday in a first-place showdown with the Columbus Crew, walking away with a 3-1 victory and breaking the three-way tie at the top of the table that was created Thursday with Real Salt Lake joining the fray with a scoreless draw in Seattle.

Thursday’s match was not the only scoreless encounter of the week with the Chicago Fire and Toronto FC finishing likewise the night before and Dallas playing San Jose to a stalemate in California Saturday. For Chicago and Toronto, the drought continued into the weekend with Toronto falling at home, 1-0, on a late goal from ex-TFC player Julius James to last-place DC United while the Fire dropped a road contest, 1-0, to the Philadelphia Union, which picked up their its first shutout of the year.

Only three teams posted more than a goal in a match this week. Joining the Galaxy, Chivas USA downed visiting New England Revolution, 2-0, Friday evening and the New York Red Bulls won at home, 3-1, Saturday against the Colorado Rapids.

USSF Division-2

Goal scoring was not as much of an issue as the second tier of American-based soccer continued its march toward the close of the regular season. Only one of the seven matches finished tied, a scoreless draw between Portland and Carolina Saturday, and all six others saw the winner find the back of the net at least twice.

The action began Wednesday with the Montreal Impact posting a surprise 2-1 victory in Puerto Rico on a pair of goals from Ali Gerba, but the Islanders rebounded with a 3-1 win over the league-leading Austin Aztex Saturday while the Impact dropped a 2-1 decision in Miami as the league saw all 12 teams in action on the same night for only the second time this campaign.

The other three matches Saturday evening all finished with the same 3-0 scoreline. Rochester won at home, 3-0, against Tampa Bay while the visiting sides won the other two with Vancouver victorious in Baltimore and Minnesota on the road against St Louis. The results put Rochester at the top of the league and extended Vancouver’s advantage in the NASL Conference to six points. Crystal Palace Baltimore has lost five consecutive while the unbeaten runs of Vancouver and Portland reached nine (3-6-0) and seven (4-3-0), respectively. Two goals from Simone Bracalello helped end Minnesota’s eight-game winless stretch (0-5-3) while Tampa’s victory drought reached eight (0-5-3).

Minnesota is the last team in the playoff zone, three points clear of the rest as St Louis, Baltimore, Miami and Tampa Bay have a combined four victories since August 1 (4-11-14). All four, however, are still within range as Miami sits eight points back in last with four games remaining, three of which are at home.

Mexico

Friday, September 10

Necaxa 1-1 Toluca
It took the preseason favorites 71 minutes before Hector Mancilla broke the deadlock against the promoted side. But Necaxa spoiled Toluca’s bid to keep a share of their group lead when Obed Rincon stunned the visitors in the 89th minute with the equalizer. Scoring – NEC: Obed Rincon 89… TOL: Hector Mancilla 71

Saturday, September 11

Queretaro 5-2 Santos Laguna
The shocker of the week, Queretaro not only defeated co-league leading Santos Laguna, but did so by more than doubling their goal total of four from the previous six contests against a side that had allowed only three in just as many games. The visitors opened the scoring three minutes in when the keeper dropped the ball in the middle of the box in a leaping challenge, allowing for an empty netter by Cristian Benitez. Then it all went wrong. Joaquin Beltran leveled on a corner in the 28th and Sergio Blanco took advantage of two errors, getting on the end of a long goalkeeper punt behind the defense to take the lead just before the half and putting away a failed clearance in the 69th. An own goal kept it close, but Blanco finished the hat-trick in the 88th with Hector Altamirano finishing it off two minutes into stoppage time. Scoring – QUE: Joaquin Beltran 28, Sergio Blanco 45, 69, 88, Hector Altamirano 92+… SL: Cristian Benitez 3, Own goal 71

Jaguares Chiapas 4-0 Puebla
Jaguares finally picked up its first victory, topping the group’s second-place side in convincing fashion and leaving Atlas as the only winless club. Carlos Ochoa put away a low cross in the area from 14 yards three minutes before the break. After Christian Valdez made doubled the advantage with a 15-yarder off the right post in the 52nd, Ochoa picked up his second three minutes later with a tap-in from inside the six. The final strike capped a three-goal, seven-minute span when Danilo Veron went down the center before being flipped over by the challenging keeper at the top of the box, allowing the ball to roll to Jorge Rodriguez for any easy finish into the empty goal. Scoring – JAG: Carlos Ochoa 42, 55, Christian Valdez 52, Jorge Rodriguez 59

Tigres UANL 0-1 Monterrey
Monterrey maintained its status as the lone unbeaten side in the league with a narrow victory on a first-half stoppage time goal from Humberto Suazo, who drove down the middle and let loose a shot from the edge of the box under challenge. Scoring – MON: Humberto Suazo 46+

Pachuca 1-1 Chivas Guadalajara
Winless since the opener, Pachuca found themselves trailing in the 37th minute when a 40-yard blast from Patricio Araujo was mishandled by Miguel Calero with the momentum taking the ball across the line after popping up out of his hands. Eleven minutes into the second half though, a cross found the head of Franco Arizala for a 15-yard equalizer. At the close of the match, Calero nearly made up for the header when he traversed the pitch and sent a header narrowly wide of the post on a free kick. Scoring – PAC: Franco Arizala 56… GUA: Patricio Araujo 37

Atlas 1-3 Cruz Azul
The visitors took advantage of facing winless Atlas to preserve their presence at the top. Horacio Cervantes finished off a nice series off a short corner with a header from the top of the six across goal into the far side 16 minutes in. An odd defensive error led to the second when a ball angled back toward the arc was cut off, but errantly sent to a wide open Javier Orozco on the other side of the area for the easy finish. A good play in the upper left corner of the area in the 74th led to a strike from Atlas but Cruz Azul foiled the notion of a tie two minutes from time when a ball popped from the left flank to the midfield where Christian Gimenez gathered, side stepped a defender and rifled a shot from 20 yards. Scoring – ATL: Gregorio Torres 74… CA: Horacio Cervantes 16, Javier Orozco 33, Christian Gimenez 88

Atlante 0-1 Estudiantes Tecos
Estudiantes kept Necaxa from pulling away from them at the bottom of their group with a last-minute strike from Alberto Ramirez that soared just under the crossbar. The bigger play, though, may have been Mario Rodriguez stopping an 18th minute penalty from Johan Fano. Atlante’s keeper Moises Munoz also stopped a shot from the spot, but the penalty was a minute after the winning score, making the save virtually meaningless. Scoring – EST: Alberto Ramirez 88

Sunday, September 12

Pumas UNAM 0-1 San Luis
San Luis registered a surprising victory late on the road versus Pumas with Tressor Moreno converting from the spot. The hosts had the first great chance to take the lead, but Dante Lopez sent his shot off the crossbar. Scoring – SL: Own goal 28

Morelia 0-2 America
With co-group leader Toluca playing to a draw two days before, America took advantage and grabbed sole possession of the group lead, finding the net five minutes in when Vicente Vuoso, combined with Daniel Montenegro, sent his shot to the far post. Facing a title contender on the road, America built safety via Miguel Layun, who put away a cross that the keeper was unable to handle. Scoring – AME: Vicente Vuoso 5, Miguel Layun 58

Possible new St Louis owner identified?

2010-09-11T00:10:00.000-04:00

Earlier this evening, a possible name as a potential new owner for AC St Louis of the USSF Division-2 (NASL Conference) was seemingly prematurely released by Inside Minnesota Soccer. A post on the blog site was apparently created featuring the identity of a replacement owner as local real estate venture partner Ryan Woods, but has since been removed.

An accompanying tweet via the site's Twitter account @MinnesotaSoccer has also since been removed from the web, but traces of the blog post can be found in a Google search. Both are available below.

Woods heads Gateway Real Estate Partners and is with Lee & Associates Property Management. He is currently in the midst of brokering a large real estate development project in the area that has been slow to get off the ground due to financial and legal hurdles. Part of the project is reliant on the condemnation of, ironically, a construction company in the area, but the ownership of the business won a court order in January preventing the St. Louis County Circuit Court from utilizing a condemnation action against Waterhout Construction Co. As reported by the St Louis Business Journal... "Bell, who owns Waterhout, requested the appellate court action Dec. 22, claiming Richmond Heights no longer has the right to take the property for redevelopment since the city no longer has a valid redevelopment proposal, a statutory requirement of the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Act [Full article]."

In June, the St Louis Business Journal, updating several projects in the region, referred to the Gateway project, which was slated to begin in June according to its plans a year prior, as "progressing slowly" and stated that... "Randy Lipton, president of the Lipton Group, a real estate, investment arm of the site's owner Lipton Realty Inc., 'could not comment on any of the buyer's potential development plans' and that Woods did not return calls for a comment [Full article]. "

Another update in August reported that Woods was partnering with Chris Dornfield in relation to the project [article]. The article states that Dornfield was an employee of Go Fig, Inc., a company that built nearly 20 Lipodissolve centers across the country, but declared bankruptcy and left contruction debts unpaid. [article].

In addition to the bankruptcy issues, Lipodissolve was accused of posting fake reviews of its product/service on RealSelf.com, a site devoted to the discussion of cosmetic treatments. A post on the site regarding the accusation stated that Dornfield, the head of business development, did not follow through on a conference call just prior to the company declaring bankruptcy in which the allegedly fake reviews were going to be discussed.

Returning to Woods, an August 2009 post on the WVHooligan.com blog site discusses a report from St Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Tim Logan that features the discussion of two different stadium projects, one by Woods and the other headed by Jeff Cooper, the first and reportedly current owner of the AC St Louis team. The original Logan report is no longer available online, but excerpts are available in the blog post. Among the excerpts is a quote from Cooper in which he says that Woods had approached him regarding his Hadley Township plan, but said he preferred to remain with the project in Collinsville.

As it appears Woods, and Dornfield, are middle men brokering the real estate venture, it is unclear if either or both of them are capable of meeting the recent financial standards set by the US Soccer Federation for a division two league.

More Gateway Real Estate Partners articles by the St Louis Business Journal [+]

Inside Minnesota's Report Remnants...

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News for ryan woods st louis

Ryan Woods Making Bid to Purchase AC St. Louis‎ - 1 hour ago
by Brian Quarstad IMS has confirmed with numerous reputable sources that St. Louis resident Ryan Woods is making a bid to purchase the USSF D2 Pro League ...
Inside Minnesota Soccer (blog)

Ryan Woods Making Bid to Purchase AC St. Louis
Inside Minnesota ...
Sep 10, 2010 ... IMS has confirmed with numerous reputable sources that St. Louis resident Ryan Woods is making a bid to purchase the USSF D2 Pro League team ...
www.insidemnsoccer.com/.../ryan-woods-making-bid-to-purchase-ac-st-louis/

Twitter Post:
MinnesotaSoccer 8:44pm via TweetMeme IMS has confirmed that St. Louis resident Ryan Woods is making bid to purchase AC St. Louis from Jeff Cooper. http://bit.ly/dp53U4

Coming Up Around CONCACAF

2010-09-10T01:24:00.000-04:00

With the FIFA break complete, all the leagues around CONCACAF are back into full swing this week. A number of them feature some very intriguing contests of league leaders squaring off. The busy day, as usual, is Saturday, which will feature for only the second time this season all 12 USSF Division-2 clubs in action on the same day, including league-leading Austin traveling to face Champions League side Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico is coming off a midweek upset, 2-1, at home to Montreal. Also in action midweek were four MLS clubs as Chicago and Toronto finished in a scoreless stalemate Wednesday with Real Salt Lake and Seattle doing the same a night later, putting RSL in a three-way tie atop the league. The MLS action for the week finishes up with all the remaining contests on Saturday, featuring a showdown between Eastern and Western Conference leaders - at the beginning of the week - Columbus Crew and Los Angeles Galaxy, who both enter the match level at 13-5-5.

In Mexico, the match of the week is one of the four matches across CONCACAF Friday evening (1 MLS, 2 Panama), featuring the preseason favorite Toluca hitting the road to face promoted darling Necaxa, which has gotten off to an impressive start despite having only one win (1-3-2). The following night, the league’s lone unbeaten, 3-3-0 Monterrey, will face arguably the stiffest test of the young season when the club visits Tigres.

Moving further south into Central America, several more fixtures feature top sides facing one another. The close-knit races in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras will see some drama.

In El Salvador, the top five clubs are separated by just two points with Vista Hermosa traveling to meet Once Municipal in a meeting of two of the three clubs tied for third Sunday. Three clubs are tied for first in Guatemala, where after seven games, the top eight teams, amazingly, are within three points of one another in a league of parity that has three clubs tied for first. Two of those three, Comunicaciones and Juventud Retalteca square off Sunday.

The Honduran league also features no runaway leader yet as the top six are separated by three points. Four of them will meet in a pair of contests this weekend. Third-place Marathon Saturday hosts promoted side Necaxa, which is tied for first with Platense, which is on the road versus fifth-place Olimpia on Sunday.

(TSB Power Rankings in parenthesis)

Midweek Results (home-away): Wednesday MLS: (26) Chicago Fire 0-0 Toronto FC (14)… USSF-D2: (23) Puerto Rico Islanders 1-2 Montreal Impact (50) – Thursday MLS: (34) Seattle Sounders 0-0 Real Salt Lake (4)

Coming Up Around CONCACAF

Friday, September 10

Major League Soccer: (32) New England Revolution @ Chivas USA (45)

Mexico: (11) Toluca @ Necaxa (17)

Panama: (69) Chepo @ Chorrillo (74)… (NR) Alianza @ Atletico Veraguense (92)

Saturday, September 11

Major League Soccer: (55) DC United @ Toronto FC (14)… (20) Colorado Rapids @ New York Red Bulls (10)… (26) Chicago Fire @ Philadelphia Union (42)… (44) Houston Dynamo @ Kansas City Wizards (29)… (3) FC Dallas @ San Jose Earthquakes (21)… (12) Columbus Crew @ Los Angeles Galaxy (22)

USSF Division-2: (33) Vancouver Whitecaps @ Crystal Palace Baltimore (98)… (41) Portland Timbers @ Carolina RailHawks (53)… (87) Tampa Bay Rowdies @ Rochester Rhinos (46)… (50) Montreal Impact @ Miami FC Blues (NR)… (31) Austin Aztex @ Puerto Rico Islanders (23)… (99) NSC Minnesota Stars @ AC St Louis (82)

Mexico: (2) Santos Laguna @ Queretaro (35)… (15) Puebla @ Jaguares Chiapas (27)… (6) Monterrey @ Tigres UANL (5)… (9) Chivas Guadalajara @ Pachuca (19)… (38) Estudiantes Tecos @ Atlante (28)

Costa Rica: (86) Limon @ Barrio Mexico (37)… (NR) Perez Zeledon @ Deportivo Saprissa (59)… (70) Santos de Guapiles @ Herediano (54)

El Salvador: (79) FAS @ Universidad de El Salvador (NR)… (43) Isidro Metapan @ Aguila (73)

Guatemala: (72) Heredia @ Xinabajul (63)

Honduras: (40) Necaxa @ Marathon (25)… (36) Motagua @ Vida (93)

Panama: (76) San Francisco @ Sporting San Miguelito (68)… (30) Aribe Unido @ Atletico Chiriqui (96)

Sunday, September 12

Mexico: (18) America @ Morelia (7)… (16) San Luis @ Pumas UNAM (8)

Costa Rica: (13) Alajuelense @ Universidad de Costa Rica (NR)… (88) Puntarenas @ Cartagines (83)… (56) San Carlos @ Brujas (58)

El Salvador: (67) Alianza @ Atletico Balboa (NR)… (65) Firpo @ Atletico Marte (94)… (75) Vista Hermosa @ Once Municipal (80)

Guatemala: (49) Comunicaciones @ Juventud Retalteca (64)… (78) Mictlan @ Municipal (48)… (NR) Penarol La Mesilla @ Malacateco (66)… (NR) Suchitepequez @ Xelaju (81)… (62) Marquense @ Universidad San Carlos (NR)

Honduras: (84) Victoria @ Deportes Savio (85)… (52) Platense @ Olimpia (24)… (60) Real Espana @ Hispano (95)

Monday, September 13 - Panama: (97) Plaza Amador @ Tauro (67)

TSB Power Rankings: Revs Climb In Quiet Week

2010-09-08T15:16:00.000-04:00

With all but two Mexican clubs idle due to the FIFA break and both FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake posting 1-0 victories, there was little movement in the Top 10 of the TSB CONCACAF Pro Club Power Rankings.

The lone change in the Top 10 came with New York’s narrow 1-0 road loss to number four Real Salt Lake, dropping the Red Bulls two spots from their position at eighth.

Further back in the Top 25, Costa Rica’s Alajuelense posted a 3-1 win over Herediano, one of the other league leaders, to move up two spots to 13. A 1-1 draw between Chicago and Los Angeles closed the gap between the two as the Galaxy dropped three spots to 22 and the Fire rose five to 26.

The biggest move in the top half of the rankings was the climb from 42 to 32 by the New England Revolution, who downed the Seattle Sounders, 3-1, and narrowly fell to Morelia, 2-1, in the SuperLiga Final. Barrio Mexico of Costa Rica was not far behind, jumping from 44 to 37 as they were one of the lone top teams in Central America that avoided upset on the week. Also making a good-sized move were the Portland Timbers, who edged Puerto Rico, 1-0, to end the Islanders’ nine-game unbeaten streak, pushing them up eight spots to 41.

Among the movers in the second half of the list was Real Espana, which used a 3-2 win over Marathon in Honduran action to rise up to 60 from 74. Panama’s San Francisco handed Arabe Unido its first lost, climing from 86 to 76 and Victoria (HON) went from unranked to 84 with its fourth consecutive without a loss.

The other two clubs to move into the list with victories were Atletico Veraguense (PAN) and Vida (HON) with the Miami FC Blues (USSF-D2), Suchitepequez (GUA) and Universidad de El Salvador (SLV) sliding out of the Top 100.

CONCACAF Pro Club Power Rankings

(Champions League - Group Stage clubs in yellow)

Rank . [Previous] … Club (League) … League Record W-D-L … Notes

1 . [1] … Cruz Azul (MEX) … 5-0-1 … Idle

2 . [2] … Santos Laguna (MEX) … 5-0-1 … Idle

3 . [3] … FC Dallas (MLS) … 10-10-2 … 1-0 W v Toronto FC

4 . [4] … Real Salt Lake (MLS) … 12-7-4 … 1-0 W v New York Red Bulls

5 . [5] … Tigres UANL (MEX) … 2-2-2 … Idle

6 . [6] … Monterrey (MEX) … 3-3-0 … Idle

7 . [7] … Morelia (MEX) … 3-1-1 … SL 2-1 W @ New England Revolution

8 . [9] … Pumas UNAM (MEX) … 3-1-2 … Idle

9 . [10] … Chivas Guadalajara (MEX) … 2-2-1 … 3-0 W v Estudiantes Tecos

10 . [8] … New York Red Bulls (MLS) … 11-4-8 … 0-1 L @ Real Salt Lake

11 . [11] … Toluca (MEX) … 2-3-1 … Idle

12 . [12] … Columbus Crew (MLS) … 13-5-5 … 1-0 W @ DC, USOC 2-1 OTW @ DC

13 . [15] … Alajuelense (CRC) … 6-1-0 … 3-1 W v Herediano

14 . [13] … Toronto FC (MLS) … 7-6-9 … 0-1 L @ FC Dallas

15 . [14] … Puebla (MEX) … 3-2-1 … Idle

16 . [16] … San Luis (MEX) … 3-1-2 … Idle

17 . [17] … Necaxa (MEX) … 1-3-2 … Idle

18 . [18] … America (MEX) … 2-3-1 … Idle

19 . [20] … Pachuca (MEX) … 1-2-3 … Idle

20 . [21] … Colorado Rapids (MLS) … 9-7-6 … 3-0 W v Chivas USA

21 . [22] … San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) … 9-5-7 … 2-1 W @ Houston Dynamo

22 . [19] … Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) … 13-5-5 … 1-1 D @ Chicago Fire

23 . [23] … Puerto Rico Islanders (USSFD2) … 8-9-8 … 0-1 L @ Portland 0-0 D @ Vancouver

24 . [25] … Olimpia (HON) … 1-4-0 … 1-1 D v Motagua

25 . [24] … Marathon (HON) … 2-2-1 … 2-3 L @ Real Espana

26 . [31] … Chicago Fire (MLS) … 6-7-7 … 1-1 D v Los Angeles Galaxy

27 . [27] … Jaguares Chiapas (MEX) … 0-3-3 … Idle

28 . [28] … Atlante (MEX) … 1-1-4 … Idle

29 . [29] … Kansas City Wizards (MLS) … 7-6-9 … 1-1 D @ Philadelphia Union

30 . [30] … Aribe Unido (PAN) … 4-1-1 … 1-2 L @ San Francisco

31 . [32] … Austin Aztex (USSFD2) … 14-7-3 … 2-0 W v NSC Minnesota Stars

32 . [42] … New England Revolution (MLS) … 7-3-12 … 3-1 W v Seattle, SL 1-2 L v Morelia

33 . [34] … Vancouver Whitecaps (USSFD2) … 9-14-3 … 0-0 D v Puerto Rico Islanders

34 . [26] … Seattle Sounders (MLS) … 9-5-9 … 1-3 L @ New England, USOC 3-1 W v Chivas USA

35 . [33] … Queretaro (MEX) … 2-1-3 … Idle

36 . [35] … Motagua (HON) … 1-2-2 … 1-1 D @ Olimpia

37 . [44] … Barrio Mexico (CRC) … 5-1-1 … 5-2 W @ Puntarenas

38 . [36] … Estudiantes Tecos (MEX) … 1-1-4 … 0-3 L @ Chivas Guadalajara

39 . [37] … Atlas (MEX) … 0-1-5 … Idle

40 . [38] … Necaxa (HON) … 3-1-1 … 1-2 L v Vida

41 . [49] … Portland Timbers (USSFD2) … 11-9-7 … 1-0 W v Puerto Rico Islanders

42 . [40] … Philadelphia Union (MLS) … 5-6-11 … 1-1 D v Kansas City Wizards

43 . [41] … Isidro Metapan (SLV) … 3-1-1 … Idle

44 . [43] … Houston Dynamo (MLS) … 6-5-12 … 1-2 L v San Jose Earthquakes

45 . [39] … Chivas USA (MLS) … 6-4-12 … 0-3 L @ Colorado, USOC 1-3 L @ Seattle

46 . [45] … Rochester Rhinos (USSFD2) … 13-6-6 … Idle

47 . [46] … Joe Public (TRI) … 5-4-1 F …

48 . [47] … Municipal (GUA) … 3-1-2 … Idle

49 . [48] … Comunicaciones (GUA) … 3-3-0 … Idle

50 . [50] … Montreal Impact (USSFD2) … 8-7-10 … Idle

51 . [51] … Charleston Battery (USL2) … 11-5-4 F …

52 . [56] … Platense (HON) … 3-1-1 … 2-0 W v Deportes Savio

53 . [58] … Carolina RailHawks (USSFD2) … 10-7-8 … 3-0 W v Crystal Palace Baltimore

54 . [55] … Herediano (CRC) … 4-1-2 … 1-3 L @ Alajuelense

55 . [59] … DC United (MLS) … 4-3-15 … 0-1 L v Columbus, USOC 1-2 OTL v Columbus

56 . [63] … San Carlos (CRC) … 4-0-2 … 2-0 W v Universidad de Costa Rica

57 . [57] … Defence Force (TRI) … 10-0-0 F …

58 . [65] … Brujas (CRC) … 3-1-3 … 2-0 W @ Santos de Guapiles

59 . [52] … Deportivo Saprissa (CRC) … 2-2-3 … 0-0 D @ Limon

60 . [74] … Real Espana (HON) … 2-1-2 … 3-2 W v Marathon

61 . [53] … Tauro (PAN) … 1-4-1 … 0-1 L @ Chepo

62 . [54] … Marquense (GUA) … 3-2-1 … Idle

63 . [60] … Xinabajul (GUA) … 4-0-2 … Idle

64 . [61] … Juventud Retalteca (GUA) … 3-1-2 … Idle

65 . [62] … Firpo (SLV) … 2-2-1 … Idle

66 . [64] … Malacateco (GUA) … 3-1-2 … Idle

67 . [66] … Alianza (SLV) … 2-3-0 … Idle

68 . [73] … Sporting San Miguelito (PAN) … 3-2-1 … 3-2 W @ Alianza

69 . [75] … Chepo (PAN) … 3-2-1 … 1-0 W @ v Tauro

70 . [67] … Santos de Guapiles (CRC) … 2-3-2 … 0-2 L v Brujas

71 . [68] … Richmond Kickers (USL2) … 9-6-5 F …

72 . [69] … Heredia (GUA) … 2-2-2 … Idle

73 . [70] … Aguila (SLV) … 2-1-2 … Idle

74 . [80] … Chorrillo (PAN) … 3-2-1 … 4-1 W v Atletico Chiriqui

75 . [81] … Vista Hermosa (SLV) … 2-2-1 … 2-1 W v Atletico Marte

76 . [86] … San Francisco (PAN) … 2-3-1 … 2-1 W v Arabe Unido

77 . [72] … San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) … 4-3-3 F …

78 . [76] … Mictlan (GUA) … 3-1-2 … Idle

79 . [77] … FAS (SLV) … 1-1-3 … Idle

80 . [78] … Once Municipal (SLV) … 2-2-1 … Idle

81 . [79] … Xelaju (GUA) … 3-0-3 … Idle

82 . [84] … AC St Louis (USSFD2) … 6-8-11 … 3-1 W v Miami FC Blues

83 . [90] … Cartagines (CRC) … 2-3-2 … 2-1 W @ Perez Zeledon

84 . [NR] … Victoria (HON) … 2-2-1 … 2-1 W v Hispano

85 . [71] … Deportes Savio (HON) … 1-2-2 … 0-2 L @ Platense

86 . [92] … Limon (CRC) … 2-1-4 … 0-0 D v Deportivo Alajuelense

87 . [83] … Tampa Bay Rowdies (USSFD2) … 6-10-9 … Idle

88 . [82] … Puntarenas (CRC) … 2-1-4 … 2-5 L v Barrio Mexico

89 . [85] … Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL2) … 7-8-5 F …

90 . [87] … W Connection (TRI) … 5-2-3 F …

91 . [88] … Ma Pau (TRI) … 4-5-1 F …

92 . [NR] … Atletico Veraguense (PAN) … 2-0-4 … 1-0 W @ Plaza Amador

93 . [NR] … Vida (HON) … 1-1-3 … 2-1 W @ Necaxa

94 . [89] … Atletico Marte (SLV) … 1-1-3 … 1-2 L @ Vista Hermosa

95 . [91] … Hispano (HON) … 0-2-3 … 1-2 L @ Victoria

96 . [93] … Atletico Chiriqui (PAN) … 1-3-2 … 1-4 L @ Chorrillo

97 . [94] … Plaza Amador (PAN) … 1-1-4 … 0-1 L v Atletico Veraguense

98 . [95] … Crystal Palace Baltimore (USSFD2) … 6-6-14 … 0-3 L @ Carolina RailHawks

99 . [96] … NSC Minnesota (USSFD2) … 7-7-12 … 0-2 L @ Austin Aztex

100 . [98] … Charlotte Eagles (USL2) … 5-7-8 F …

Central America Round-Up

2010-09-07T16:12:00.000-04:00

It was a good week for the leaders in Costa Rica, but an unfortunate one for those in Honduras and Panama, where Necaxa and Arabe Unido each suffered their first league losses of the season.

Costa Rica

Two of the top three in Costa Rica met with Alajuelense winning at home, 3-1, against Herediano to increase their lead in Group B. In Group A, Barrio Mexico’s 5-2 thrashing on the road led to the termination of Puntarenas coach Jorge Gonzalez. Puntarenas (2-1-4) had one win in its last five games, a 3-0 home win against Universidad de Costa Rica, and allowed 14 goals in seven games, second to UCR (15), who sit last in Group B at 1-0-6.

Saturday, September 4

San Carlos 2-0 Universidad de Costa Rica
The hosts were without two called up internationals and the suspended Felix Montoya, but still dominated the struggling UCR squad. The visitors did well, though, to keep San Carlos at bay until Juan Solis headed in a cross from Maikol in the 56th. Solis tallied his second to secure the win in the 64th. Mora Scoring – SC: Juan Solis 56, 64

Sunday, September 5

Alajuelense 3-1 Herediano
In a battle of Group B leaders, the hosts took the lead 12 minutes in when Kevin Sancho sent a deep ball behind the defense that Marco Urena ran onto and sent past the keeper. Ten minutes later Diego Garcia Estrada headed a Jose Salvatierra ball on goal that was stopped, but the rebound came to Pablo Gabas at the edge of box, where he blasted a shot that doubled the lead. Controversy began later in the half when the referee awarded Herediano a penalty for a handball. The first attempt from Froylan Ledezma was good, but the referee called for a retake, which was saved by Alfonso Quesada. Two minutes later, though, another penalty was whistled with Ledezma finally finding a goal for the visitors three minutes before the break. In their efforts to equalize, Herediano hit the woodwork twice only to see Johnny Acosta head in a corner four minutes from time. Scoring – ALA: Marco Urena 12, Pablo Gabas 22, Johnny Acosta 86; HER: Froylan Ledezma pen 42

Puntarenas 2-5 Barrio Mexico
The Group A leaders continued their domination in a match that was the last for Puntarenas head coach Jorge Gonzalez, who was dismissed Monday. The busy first half saw four goals in the first 15 minutes. Jorge Barbosa set up Maikol Ortiz seven minute in for the Barrio Mexico lead but Emmanuel Gaytan answered with a header two minutes later. Ortiz sent a corner in the 12th that headed in by William Phillips and then scored himself again three minutes later on a free kick for a two-goal advantage. Ortiz completed a hat-trick in the 39th and Phillips a brace in the 45th to put the match out of reach. Scoring – PUN: Emmanuel Gaytan 9, Joshua Diaz 90; BM: Maikol Ortiz 7, 15, 39, William Phillips 12, 45

Santos de Guapiles 0-2 Brujas
A Josimer Arias throw-in 14 minutes into the contest was headed in by Andres Nunez to give the visitors the lead. A defensive error allowed Jorge Arias to finish into an empty net just before the half-hour mark after beating goalkeeper Wardy Alfaro, who came out to challenge the striker. Scoring – BRU: Andres Nunez 14, Jorge Arias 29

Limon 0-0 Deportivo Saprissa
In a back-and-forth affair in which neither side could find the back of the net, a controversial call late in the contest prevented the hosts from registering the upset of Saprissa when Max Sanchez was ruled to have been offside on what would have been the lone goal of the meeting.

Monday, September 6

Perez Zeledon 1-2 Cartagines
Postponed from Saturday due to rain and field conditions, the home side found themselves at a disadvantage in the 32nd with the expulsion of Kenneth Garcia for a hard foul. It took another 30 minutes for Cartagines to capitalize through Eduardo Valverde in the 64th. Josue Salas doubled the lead in the 83rd with a left-footed effort. Perez Zeledon kept themselved in the game with a penalty just moments later converted by Ever Alfaro. Scoring – PZ: Ever Alfaro pen 85; CAR: Eduardo Valverde 64, Josue Salas 83

El Salvador

Saturday, September 4

Vista Hermosa 2-1 Atletico Marte
Originally postponed from last week due to field conditions, the two clubs took advantage of the international break to make up the fixture. Javier Hernandez gave the home side the lead with a header in the 25th minute only to see the visitors answer back a minute later when Alcides Bandera connected on an shot from outside the box. The contest remained deadlocked when Juan Jose Perez found the winner two minutes from time for Vista Hermosa, who moved within two points of the lead. Scoring – VH: Javier Hernandez 25, Juan Perez 88; AM: Alcides Bandera 26

Honduras

Promoted darlings Necaxa suffered their first loss of the campaign, falling to last-place Vida at home, marking a second consecutive game without victory. The result allowed Platense to move into a tie for first by blanking Deportes Savio on a brace from Michel Rivera. Marathon missed its opportunity to snare the top spot, falling on the road, 3-2, to mid-table Real Espana, which is now three points back of the lead. Rivals Olimpia and Motagua, meanwhile, battled to a 1-1 draw.

Saturday, September 4

Victoria 2-1 Hispano
Scoring – VIC: Saul Martinez 20, Elmer Zelaya 26; HIS: Pompilio Cacho 28

Sunday, September 5

Necaxa 1-2 Vida
Scoring – NEC: Luis Rodas 42; VID: Milton Ruiz 3, Luis Castro 44

Platense 2-0 Deportes Savio
Scoring – PLA: Michel Rivera 56, 68

Olimpia 1-1 Motagua
Scoring – OLI: Ramiro Bruschi 67; MOT: George Welcome 76

Real Espana 3-2 Marathon
Scoring – RE: Yobani Ayila 45, Luis Lobo 48, Douglas Caetano 92; MAR: Own goal 12, Nicolas Cardozo 35

Panama

Arabe Unido’s lead shrank in the sixth week of action with their 2-1 loss at San Francisco allowed their opposition to move within four points. It was the first loss of the campaign for the Champions League side and halted a four-game win streak. Moving within two was Chorrillo, Chepo and Sporting San Miguelito. Chorrillo posted a big victory at home and Chepo nipped visiting Tauro while Sporting won on the road.

Saturday, September 4

Plaza Amador 0-1 Atletico Veraguense
Alianza 2-3 Sporting San Miguelito
San Francisco 2-1 Arabe Unido

Sunday, September 5

Chorrillo 4-1 Atletico Chiriqui
Chepo 1-0 Tauro

North America Round-Up

2010-09-06T15:26:00.000-04:00

Although it was a designated FIFA international break, the action remained in full swing for Major League Soccer and USSF Division-2 while the Mexican Primera took the weekend off with the exception of one contest, which proved costly.

The race for the league lead tightened in MLS with leader Los Angeles playing to a tie while those close behind picked up points in the chase. The next tier saw the league lead change hands as Austin reclaimed the top spot. Meanwhile, three of the hottest clubs in the league squared off with Champions League side Puerto Rico making the trek to the northwest to face Portland and Vancouver.

A loss to Chivas Guadalajara Sunday resulted in the dismissal of Estudiantes Tecos head coach Miguel Herrera Monday after a 1-1-4 start to the Apertura campaign. Herrera had led the club since the eighth match of the 2008 Apertura campaign and guided the club to the quarterfinals twice. Luis Manuel Diaz will take the post on an interim basis until a replacement is named.

Major League Soccer

The continued misfortune of the Los Angeles Galaxy has allowed the defending MLS Cup champion Real Salt Lake to catch up and move within one point for the top spot of the Western Conference. A 1-1 draw, courtesy of a last-minute header from Omar Gonzales in stoppage time, against the Chicago Fire leaves the Galaxy with just one in their last six league outings. Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, edged the visiting New York Red Bulls, 1-0, to extend their streak to seven games without defeat.

RSL also moved within a single point of league lead as the Columbus Crew used a 1-0 victory over DC United to reach equal terms with Los Angeles for the regular season title. The win was the second in less than a week in the nation’s capital having defeated DC in the US Open Cup Semifinals, 2-1, in overtime. The Crew’s lead in the Eastern Conference got a bit wider with New York’s loss leaving the Red Bulls seven back. Staying within four points of the lead trio was FC Dallas, 1-0 winners over visiting Toronto FC, which are now winless in their last four league outings.

The New England Revolution and Colorado Rapids were big winners Saturday. The Revolution, coming off their midweek 2-1 SuperLiga Final loss to Morelia, downed midweek 3-1 USOC winner Seattle Sounders, 3-1, and the Rapids blanked Chivas USA, 3-0. The Philadelphia Union tied the Kansas City Wizards, 1-1, to round out Saturday’s results. In Sunday’s lone contest, the San Jose Earthquakes joined Columbus as the road teams to post a victory on the week, edging the Houston Dynamo, 2-1.

USSF Division-2

Puerto Rico ventured away from home for a trip to the Northwest that would pit three of the hottest clubs in the league against one another as the Islanders, Timbers and Whitecaps came into the series with a combined total of 20 league consecutive league games without a loss. Puerto Rico took a nine-game (3-6-0) run to Portland first and were seven minutes away from reaching double digits in the streak Thursday when Ryan Pore broke the scoreless stalemate for the Timbers, who extended their unbeaten run to six (4-2-0). Three nights later, the Islanders battled to a scoreless Sunday stalemate with the Whitecaps, whose streak hit eight games (2-6-0).

The Austin Aztex, meanwhile, retook the overall league lead with a 2-0 victory at home Saturday against Minnesota on a pair of Eddie Johnson strikes, surpassing the idle Rochester Rhinos by a point.

In the race for playoff position, the Carolina RailHawks kept their bid strong with a 3-0 win against Crystal Palace Baltimore Friday, moving within four points of NASL Conference leader Vancouver. AC St Louis moved past Baltimore with a 3-1 victory over the NASL last-place Miami FC Blues Sunday.

Mexico

Sunday, September 5

Chivas Guadalajara 3-0 Estudiantes Tecos
Coming off a midweek friendly in which they fell, 1-0, to the Union in Philadelphia, Chivas Guadalajara made up for one of the matched delayed to their participation in the Copa Libertadores with a resounding 3-0 victory against Estudiantes Tecos. Omar Bravo celebrated his 300th match with the club by tallying the opening strike in the 38th minute. The match, played in the rain, finished with Ricardo Vazquez and Marco Fabian scoring in the final 16 minutes. Scoring – GUA: Omar Bravo 38, Ricardo Vazquez 74, Marco Fabian 90

Guatemala: Referee Batres Retires; Heredia Coach Out

2010-09-03T17:40:00.000-04:00

Longtime FIFA referee Carlos Batres announced his retirement the day after officiating the SuperLiga championship match, his second, in Foxboro Wednesday evening. An international official since 1996, the 42-year-old Guatemalan refereed three matches at the recent World Cup in South Africa, including the Paraguay-Span quarterfinal match.

His career off the pitch began with immediacy with his appointment to the CONCACAF Referee Committee Confederation by CONCACAF President Jack Warner. Batres will remain in the post until the term of his predecessor, Carlos Ortiz, concludes. The position was vacant due to Ortiz’s death in January.

The two-time World Cup official (2002, 2010) also served in numerous other international tournaments, including the Gold Cup , CONCACAF Champions League/Cup, Pan American Games, Confederations Cup and the Olympics during his career.

His first career international match was October 27, 1996. It was a qualification match between Canada and Panama for the 1998 World Cup.

"He is definitely one of our most accomplished and decorated referees," CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said in a statement. "We look forward to him becoming integrally involved in our referee development programs."

A narrow 1-0 loss to league-leading Comunicaciones proved semi-costly for Heredia coach Juan Carlos Elijah, who was released from his contract by the club following a post-game meeting with the club management.

Currently sitting ninth with a 2-2-3 record in the league, the club has gone winless in their last three following a pair of home victories. The team has registered just two goals in the past three games, two matches of which were at home.

His departure was not unexpected, although the circumstances were different. Elijah had indicated several weeks ago that he was considering resigning from the club. The Argentine’s father was very ill and he was contemplating returning home, without a scheduled return, to be at his father’s side.

Replacing Elijah will be Chilean Sergio Pardo.

Coming Up Around CONCACAF

2010-09-02T21:05:00.000-04:00

Despite the break in Champions League play, it was a busy time around CONCACAF midweek as the US Open Cup determined its finalists Wednesday, SuperLiga crowned a champion and Guatemala played a full slate of contests. The upcoming weekend, however, is another story as many leagues will see minimal to no action due to the international FIFA break.

The higher-ranked clubs in the TSB Pro Power Rankings held form Wednesday night in three big North American cup matches as the Columbus Crew (12) came from behind to defeat host DC United (59) in overtime, 2-1 while the defending tournament champion Seattle Sounders (26) booked a return trip to the US Open Cup Final with a 3-1 victory at home against Chivas USA (39). Morelia (7) locked up the first championship of the region for the 2010-11 calendar by capturing the SuperLiga title in Foxboro, 2-1, against the New England Revolution (42).

In Guatemala, the three top clubs all picked up positive results with Municipal, Juventud Retalteca and the lone unbeaten Comunicaciones all now sitting level with 13 points through seven games. Another midweek match features Puerto Rico and Portland squaring off tonight in USSF Division-2.

With only one match in Mexico this weekend, the marquee match-ups of the weekend are a pair of MLS contests in which four of the top 13 clubs in the TSB Power Rankings will square off Saturday. Toronto FC (13) travels to Dallas (3) to face one of the hottest clubs in the league while the defending league champion Real Salt Lake (4) plays host to the New York Red Bulls (8).

Wednesday’s Results:

US Open Cup Semifinals: (59) DC United 1-2 AET Columbus Crew (12)… (26) Seattle Sounders 3-1 Chivas USA (39)

SuperLiga Final: (42) New England Revolution 1-2 Morelia (7)

League Competition: USSF Division-2: (49) Portland Timbers x-x Puerto Rico Islanders (23) -- Guatemala: (69) Heredia 1-2 Municipal (47)… (NR) Penarol La Mesilla 3-1 Universidad San Carlos (NR)… (48) Comunicaciones 1-1 Malacateco (64)… (76) Mictlan 1-2 Juventud Retalteca (61)… (99) Suchitepequez 4-3 Marquense (54)… (79) Xelaju 3-2 Xinabajul (60)

Coming Up Around CONCACAF (home-away)

Thursday, September 2

USSF Division-2: (23) Puerto Rico Islanders @ Portland Timbers (49)

Friday, September 3

USSF Division-2: (95) Crystal Palace Baltimore @ Carolina RailHawks (58)

Saturday, September 4

Major League Soccer: (29) Kansas City Wizards @ New England Revolution (40)… (19) Los Angeles Galaxy @ Chicago Fire (31)… (12) Columbus Crew @ DC United (59)… (26) Seattle Sounders @ New England Revolution (42)… (13) Toronto FC @ FC Dallas (3)… (39) Chivas USA @ Colorado Rapids (21)… (8) New York Red Bulls @ Real Salt Lake (4)

USSF Division-2: (96) NSC Minnesota Stars @ Austin Aztex (32)

Costa Rica: (65) Brujas @ Santos de Guapiles (67)… (NR) Universidad de Costa Rica @ San Carlos (63)… (55) Herediano @ Alajuelense (15)… (44) Barrio Mexico @ Puntarenas (82)… (90) Cartagines @ Perez Zeledon (NR)… (52) Deportivo Saprissa @ Limon (92)

El Salvador: (89) Atletico Marte @ Vista Hermosa (81)

Honduras: (91) Hispano @ Victoria (NR)

Panama: (NR) Atletico Veraguense @ Plaza Amador (94)… (73) Sporting San Miguelito @ Alianza (NR)… (30) Arabe Unido @ San Francisco (86)

Sunday, September 5

Major League Soccer: (22) San Jose Earthquakes @ Houston Dynamo (43)

USSF Division-2: (97) Miami FC Blues @ AC St Louis (84)… (23) Puerto Rico Islanders @ Vancouver Whitecaps (34)

Mexico: (36) Estudiantes Tecos @ Chivas Guadalajara (10)

Honduras: (NR) Vida @ Necaxa (17)… (71) Deportes Savio @ Platense (56)… (35) Motagua @ Olimpia (25)… (24) Marathon @ Real Espana (74)

Panama: (93) Atletico Chiriqui @ Chorrillo (80)… (53) Tauro @ Chepo (75)

Power Rankings: Cruz Azul Climbs to the Top

2010-09-01T10:41:00.000-04:00

The top six positions in The Soccer Barn’s CONCACAF Pro Club Power Rankings jumbled quite a bit over the past week between domestic and Champions League results. CCL action also saw some big moves further down the list. The USL-2 Championship leaves the ranking of the clubs in the US third flight at the mercy of those around them until next spring.

The US Open Cup Final Four, set to play tonight, features clubs ranging from 12 to 59 in the rankings. DC United (59) hosts Columbus (12) and Chivas USA (39) heads north to play the Seattle Sounders (26). Meanwhile, in tonight’s SuperLiga Final, the New England Revolution (42) have a shot at climbing quickly with a positive result against Morelia (7).

In the rankings, Cruz Azul moved into the top spot, edging out Santos Laguna. Both clubs were one-goal winners in the Champions League at home versus MLS clubs, but Cruz Azul’s league contest was a 3-2 victory over Tigres, who sat at number four on the list last week while Santos Laguna handily defeated winless Atlas, 3-1. Monterrey’s 1-1 draw against winless Jaguares saw them drop from the top spot to seventh.

One of the bigger mover in the rankings this week was Panama’s Arabe Unido, which rose over 20 spots from 53 to 30 courtesy of a league win and a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC. Saprissa of Costa Rica also made a significant jump with a 3-2 league win against Brujas and a stunning 4-1 victory over Marathon in the Champions League, moving from 74 to 52 after a slow start to the season.

USL-2 Finalists saw very little movement due to the tight nature of the contest that finished in favor of higher-ranked regular season champion Charleston Batttery, which rose just one spot on the list to 51. Runners-up Richmond Kickers dropped four spots as other clubs surpassed them on the list with victories on the weekend.

CONCACAF Pro Club Power Rankings

(Champions League - Group Stage clubs in yellow)

Rank . [Previous] … Club (League) … League Record W-D-L … Notes

1 . [5] … Cruz Azul (MEX) … 5-0-1 … 3-2 W v Tigres, CCL 5-4 W v Real Salt Lake

2 . [3] … Santos Laguna (MEX) … 5-0-1 … 3-1 W v Atlas, CCL 1-0 W v Columbus

3 . [2] … FC Dallas (MLS) … 9-10-2 … 0-0 D @ Columbus

4 . [6] … Real Salt Lake (MLS) … 11-7-4 … 0-0 D @ Toronto, CCL 4-5 L @ Cruz Azul

5 . [4] … Tigres UANL (MEX) … 2-2-2 … 2-3 L @ Cruz Azul

6 . [1] … Monterrey (MEX) … 3-3-0 … 1-1 D v Jaguares, CCL 2-0 W @ Seattle

7 . [7] … Morelia (MEX) … 3-1-1 … 1-1 D @ Estudiantes Tecos

8 . [8] … New York Red Bulls (MLS) … 11-4-7 … 2-0 W v San Jose

9 . [9] … Pumas UNAM (MEX) … 3-1-2 … 0-0 D @ Chivas Guadalajara

10 . [10] … Chivas Guadalajara (MEX) … 1-2-1 … 0-0 D v Pumas UNAM

11 . [15] … Toluca (MEX) … 2-3-1 … 2-0 W v Queretaro, CCL 4-0 W v Olimpia

12 . [14] … Columbus Crew (MLS) … 12-5-5 … 0-0 D v Dallas, CCL 0-1 L @ Santos Laguna

13 . [11] … Toronto FC (MLS) … 7-6-8 … 0-0 D v Real Salt Lake, CCL 0-1 L @ Arabe Unido

14 . [18] … Puebla (MEX) … 3-2-1 … 3-1 W v Pachuca

15 . [13] … Alajuelense (CRC) … 5-1-0 … 2-1 W v Limon

16 . [24] … San Luis (MEX) … 3-1-2 … 2-1 W v Atlante

17 . [21] … Necaxa (MEX) … 1-3-2 … 1-1 D @ America

18 . [17] … America (MEX) … 2-3-1 … 1-1 D v Necaxa

19 . [12] … Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) … 13-4-5 … 0-2 L v Kansas City

20 . [16] … Pachuca (MEX) … 1-2-3 … 1-3 L @ Puebla

21 . [23] … Colorado Rapids (MLS) … 8-7-6 … 3-0 W v Houston

22 . [20] … San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) … 8-5-7 … 0-2 L @ New York

23 . [27] … Puerto Rico Islanders (USSFD2) … 8-8-7 … 3-2 W @ Carolina, CCL 4-1 W v FAS

24 . [22] … Marathon (HON) … 2-2-0 … 3-2 W @ Vida, CCL 1-4 L @ Saprissa

25 . [19] … Olimpia (HON) … 1-3-0 … 1-1 D @ Deportes Savio, CCL 0-4 L @ Toluca

26 . [29] … Seattle Sounders (MLS) … 9-5-8 … 2-1 W v Chicago, CCL 0-2 L v Monterrey

27 . [31] … Jaguares Chiapas (MEX) … 0-3-3 … 1-1 D @ Monterrey

28 . [26] … Atlante (MEX) … 1-1-4 … 1-2 L @ San Luis

29 . [35] … Kansas City Wizards (MLS) … 7-5-9 … 2-0 W @ Los Angeles

30 . [53] … Aribe Unido (PAN) … 4-1-0 … 2-1 W v Alianza, CCL 1-0 W v Toronto

31 . [25] … Chicago Fire (MLS) … 6-6-7 … 1-2 L @ Seattle

32 . [34] … Austin Aztex (USSFD2) … 13-7-3 … 1-1 D @ Portland, 2-2 D @ Vancouver

33 . [28] … Queretaro (MEX) … 2-1-3 … 0-2 L @ Toluca

34 . [36] … Vancouver Whitecaps (USSFD2) … 9-13-3 … 2-2 D v Austin

35 . [30] … Motagua (HON) … 1-1-2 … 1-0 W v Platense

36 . [37] … Estudiantes Tecos (MEX) … 1-1-3 … 1-1 D v Morelia

37 . [32] … Atlas (MEX) … 0-1-5 … 1-3 L @ Santos Laguna

38 . [42] … Necaxa (HON) … 3-1-0 … 0-0 D @ Hispano

39 . [41] … Chivas USA (MLS) … 6-4-11 … 1-0 W v DC

40 . [47] … Philadelphia Union (MLS) … 5-5-11 … 2-1 W @ New England

41 . [38] … Isidro Metapan (SLV) … 3-1-1 … 1-2 L v Once Municipal

42 . [39] … New England Revolution (MLS) … 6-3-12 … 1-2 L v Philadelphia

43 . [33] … Houston Dynamo (MLS) … 6-5-11 … 0-3 L @ Colorado

44 . [48] … Barrio Mexico (CRC) … 4-1-1 … 3-1 W @ Universidad de Costa Rica

45 . [40] … Rochester Rhinos (USSFD2) … 13-6-6 … 0-2 L @ Montreal

46 . [50] … Joe Public (TRI) … 5-4-1 F … CCL 1-1 D @ Municipal

47 . [54] … Municipal (GUA) … 3-1-2 … 2-1 W v Xelaju, CCL 1-1 D v Joe Public

48 . [46] … Comunicaciones (GUA) … 3-3-0 … 2-1 W v Universidad San Carlos

49 . [51] … Portland Timbers (USSFD2) … 10-9-7 … 1-1 D v Austin, 3-0 W v Baltimore

50 . [58] … Montreal Impact (USSFD2) … 8-7-10 … 2-0 W v Rochester

51 . [52] … Charleston Battery (USL2) … 11-5-4 F … 2-1 W v Richmond in Championship

52 . [74] … Deportivo Saprissa (CRC) … 2-1-3 … 3-2 W v Brujas, CCL 4-1 W v Marathon

53 . [44] … Tauro (PAN) … 1-4-0 … 1-1 D v Chorrillo

54 . [45] … Marquense (GUA) … 3-2-1 … 2-2 D v Penarol La Mesilla

55 . [49] … Herediano (CRC) … 4-1-1 … 0-0 D @ Cartagines

56 . [43] … Platense (HON) … 2-1-1 … 0-1 L @ Motagua

57 . [55] … Defence Force (TRI) … 10-0-0 F …

58 . [59] … Carolina RailHawks (USSFD2) … 9-7-8 … 2-1 W @ Tampa Bay, 2-3 L v Puerto Rico

59 . [56] … DC United (MLS) … 4-3-14 … 0-1 L @ Chivas USA

60 . [60] … Xinabajul (GUA) … 4-0-2 … 1-0 W v Suchitepequez

61 . [72] … Juventud Retalteca (GUA) … 3-1-2 … 3-1 W v Heredia

62 . [62] … Firpo (SLV) … 2-2-1 … 2-0 W v Atletico Balboa

63 . [67] … San Carlos (CRC) … 3-0-2 … 1-0 W v Perez Zeledon

64 . [77] … Malacateco (GUA) … 3-1-2 … 1-0 W v Mictlan

65 . [57] … Brujas (CRC) … 2-1-3 … 2-3 L @ Saprissa

66 . [61] … Alianza (SLV) … 2-3-0 … 2-2 D v Universidad de El Salvador

67 . [63] … Santos de Guapiles (CRC) … 2-3-1 … 1-1 D v Puntarenas

68 . [64] … Richmond Kickers (USL2) … 9-6-5 F … 1-2 L @ Charleston in Championship

69 . [65] … Heredia (GUA) … 2-2-2 … 1-3 L @ Juventud Retalteca

70 . [66] … Aguila (SLV) … 2-1-2 … 1-2 L @ FAS

71 . [68] … Deportes Savio (HON) … 1-2-1 … 1-1 D v Olimpia

72 . [69] … San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) … 4-3-3 F …

73 . [79] … Sporting San Miguelito (PAN) … 2-2-1 … 2-1 W v Plaza Amador

74 . [70] … Real Espana (HON) … 1-1-2 … 1-2 L v Victoria

75 . [85] … Chepo (PAN) … 2-2-1 … 3-0 W @ Atletico Veraguense

76 . [71] … Mictlan (GUA) … 3-1-2 … 0-1 L @ Malacateco

77 . [73] … FAS (SLV) … 1-1-3 … 2-1 W v Aguila, CCL 1-4 L @ Puerto Rico

78 . [92] … Once Municipal (SLV) … 2-2-1 … 2-1 W @ Isidro Metapan

79 . [75] … Xelaju (GUA) … 3-0-3 … 1-2 L @ Municipal

80 . [76] … Chorrillo (PAN) … 2-2-1 … 1-1 D @ Tauro

81 . [78] … Vista Hermosa (SLV) … 1-2-1 … Idle

82 . [80] … Puntarenas (CRC) … 2-1-3 … 1-1 D @ Santos de Guapiles

83 . [81] … Tampa Bay Rowdies (USSFD2) … 6-10-9 … 1-2 L v Carolina, 2-2 D v St Louis

84 . [82] … AC St Louis (USSFD2) … 5-8-11 … 2-2 D @ Tampa Bay

85 . [83] … Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL2) … 7-8-5 F …

86 . [840 … San Francisco (PAN) … 1-3-1 … 2-2 D @ Atletico Chiriqui

87 . [86] … W Connection (TRI) … 5-2-3 F …

88 . [87] … Ma Pau (TRI) … 4-5-1 F …

89 . [88] … Atletico Marte (SLV) … 1-1-2 … Idle

90 . [89] … Cartagines (CRC) … 1-3-2 … 0-0 D v Herediano

91 . [95] … Hispano (HON) … 0-2-2 … 0-0 D v Necaxa

92 . [90] … Limon (CRC) … 2-0-4 … 1-2 L @ Alajuelense

93 . [91] … Atletico Chiriqui (PAN) … 1-3-1 … 2-2 D v San Francisco

94 . [93] … Plaza Amador (PAN) … 1-1-3 … 1-2 L @ Sporting San Miguelito

95 . [94] … Crystal Palace Baltimore (USSFD2) … 6-6-13 … 0-3 L @ Portland

96 . [96] … NSC Minnesota (USSFD2) … 7-7-11 … Idle

97 . [97] … Miami FC Blues (USSFD2) … 3-8-13 … Idle

98 . [98] … Charlotte Eagles (USL2) … 5-7-8 F …

99 . [99] … Suchitepiquez (GUA) … 1-1-4 … 0-1 L @ Xinabajul

100 . [100] … Universidad de El Salvador (SLV) … 1-2-2 … 2-2 D @ Alianza

Busy News Day in Costa Rica

2010-09-01T07:33:00.000-04:00

While a postponed match from Monday garnered a lot of attention Tuesday, so did two other significant stories as Perez Zeledon named a new head coach and the federation announced the support of a World Cup preparation plan.

Perez Zeledon, currently sitting in last place in their group and second to last overall in the Costa Rica Primera Division with a 1-1-4 record, named Argentine Marcelo Herrera as the new man in charge. Set to arrive next week, Herrera is an interesting choice for the position, joining the club after a previously unsuccessful run with powerhouse Alajuelense.

A former five-time champion, two domestic and three international, with Velez Sarsfield in the 1990’s, Herrera worked as an assistant manager with his former club in 2007 before moving on to his first stint as a head coach with Alajuelense, which was undergoing a roster overhaul at the time and experienced a poor season under his command. His professional playing career began in 1992 and ended in 2001. In addition to playing for Velez Sarsfield, he spent time with four other Argentine sides and the Miami Fusion of MLS in 1998 - his only foreign assignment.

Interim coach Alexander Madrigal will guide the club once again for the upcoming match this weekend.

The leadership of the league, meanwhile, met with the President of the Federation along with several other key executives from all its member clubs and applicable organizations to formalize and sign an agreement that calls for a plan of cooperation between the league and the federation in raising the quality of the national team in working toward the 2014 World Cup.

The vote passed with a majority although notably missing the approval of powers Saprissa and Alajuelense, along with Puntarenas.

Central America Round-Up

2010-09-01T06:50:00.000-04:00

It was a big week of news in El Salvador. Isidro Metapan’s impressive unbeaten streaks in El Salvador came to an end as mid-table Once Municpal registered a surprise 2-1 win that ended a 14-game unbeaten run (7-7-0) and a 13-game home unbeaten streak (6-7-0) for the reigning champions. The other major story was the retirement of Miseal Alfaro, who announced his 23-year career was at an end with his retirement due to life-threatening neck injuries. The Metapan goalkeeper, who has 42 caps for El Salvador, played for numerous clubs domestically, winning four titles while playing for Firpo.

Muddy Salvadoran pitch - elgrafico.com

Referees were a huge topic as well with games in El Salvador and Costa Rica marred by allegations against officials. In El Salvador, the match involving Universidad de El Salvador was officiated by a student from the university, sparking accusations of bias and conflict of interest. A match in Costa Rica saw five players sent off in a scoreless affair.

The constant rain over the past few weeks have resulted in many games being played on drenched pitches throughout Central America. The home of El Salvador’s Vista Hermosa became a casualty Saturday as the game was postponed due to the poor conditions of the field, 80 percent of which was damaged to the point of being mud. The contest has been delayed indefinitely. Club officials took some of the blame for allowing the field to be cut the day prior to the game, making the conditions worse. With other fields in the area in similar condition, Costa Rica’s Primera Division saw Monday’s contest at the University of Costa Rica delayed a day due to field conditions as well. Numerous others were played under muddy conditions or with standing water on the pitch.

Costa Rica

Saturday, August 28

San Carlos 1-0 Perez Zeledon
Under its interim manager Alexander Madrigal the visitors made a go of it, but saw Cesar Elizondo sent to the locker room six minutes before the break for his second caution. Seven minutes into the second half San Carlos took advantage as midfielder Alvaro Sanchez gave the ball to Maikol Mora on the right, who returned the favor to Sanchez for the lone score. Felix Montoya’s second yellow in the 72nd leveled conditions for the visitors, but Perez Zeledon were unable to find the equalizer. Scoring – SC: Alvaro Sanchez 52

Alajuelense 2-1 Limon
The first half finished in a flurry as the visiting side put pressure on the goal courtesy of Benwell Meneses and Kendall Wilson. A cross to Meneses was headed onto Wilson, who beat his defender and fired past keeper Patrick Pemberton, who did well to stop a second Wilson chance a few minutes later. It took only five minutes of the second stanza to flip the scenario as Kevin Sancho buried a bouncing ball from the edge of the box into the corner in the 48th and Juan Guzman struck on a free two minutes later. Halted for 20 minutes in the second half for a lighting malfunction the game resumed and ended frantically. A minute after entering Leandro struck the crossbar in the 83rd for Alajuelense and five minutes later Limon’s Richard Allen received a second yellow. Scoring – ALA: Kevin Sancho 48, Juan Guzman 50; LIM: Kendall Wilson 42

Sunday, August 29

Cartagines 0-0 Herediano
At was an ugly affair, ranging from a terrible pitch affected by recent rain to five send-offs, including two straight red cards. Each club saw a player ejected in the final 15 minutes of the first half. Herediano had another sent to the locker room in the 79th and both clubs saw another receive their walking orders in stoppage time. Herediano released an official statement of dissatisfaction regarding the referee performance. Unfortunately for Herediano, the club will also be without Victor Nunez due to caution accumulation and Jose Cubero for international duty when they face league leader Alajuelense.

Santos de Guapiles 1-1 Puntarenas
A poorly played first half finished with a poor goalkeeping error in the final seconds that resulted in Johnny Cubero finding the back of the net on a corner. A controversial penalty call six minutes into the second half resulted in a Mario Viquez penalty, but the leading scorer was stopped by Wardy Alfaro only to see Viquez head the rebound past him. Scoring – SG: Johnny Cubero 45; PUN: Mario Viquez 51

Deportivo Saprissa 3-2 Brujas
Saprissa debuted in their new stadium, picking up their second win in six games on the season. Gabriel Badilla netted the first strike in the stadium with an unmarked header on a corner in the 27th minute. Three minutes before the break, Jair Arrieta connected well on a long ball to beat the keeper, but the visitors answered just two minutes later on a great individual effort from Heiner Mora to keep the difference at one. Arrieta added a second three minutes into the second frame on another assist from Armando Alonso. Brujas struck back when Cristian Lagos got behind the defense in the 63rd minute, but were unable to find the equalizer. Scoring – DS: Gabriel Badilla 27, Jair Arrieta 42, 48; BRU: Heiner Mora 44, Cristian Lagos 63

Tuesday, August 30

Universidad de Costa Rica 1-3 Barrio Mexico
Postponed a day due to field conditions, it took until the second half for someone to break the deadlock. The referee played a large role in the beginning, giving the hosts a penalty that Minor Diaz converted in four minutes into the period. Six minutes later it was Bario Mexico’s Verny Scott scoring from the spot to level terms. Jorge Barbosa put away a loose ball in the 74th to give the visitors the advantage and an own goal by Jose Brenes secured the victory five minutes from time. Scoring – UCR: Minor Diaz pen 49; BM: Verny Scott pen 55, Jorge Barbosa 74, own goal 85

El Salvador

Saturday, August 28

Firpo 2-0 Atletico Balboa
A second yellow for Ely Serrano in the 18th left Atletico Balboa with 10 men on the road. Four minutes later the hosts took advamtage when Fernando Leguizamon crossed the ball in to Erick Scott. Eliseo Quintanilla doubled the lead near the hour mark with a hard shot that put the Firpo too far in front for Atletico Balboa to rally when Alexander Erazo was sent off for a second yellow with 12 minutes left, leveling conditions on the pitch. Scoring – FIR: Erick Scott 22, Eliseo Quintanilla 58

Isidro Metapan 1-2 Once Municipal
Isidro Metapan’s impressive unbeaten streaks in El Salvador came to an end as mid-table Once Municpal registered a surprise 2-1 win that ended a 14-game unbeaten run (7-7-0) and a 13-game home unbeaten streak (6-7-0) for the reigning champions. The upset started just 11 minutes in when Hector Avalos’ cross found the head of Carlos Asprilla for the lead. Asprilla’s chance in the 26th set up the second as a poor clearance left Mario Deras with an excellent opportunity. Andres Flores got behind the defense to cut the deficit in the 58th. Scoring – IM: Andre Flores 58; OM: Carlos Asprilla 11, Mario Deras 26

Vista Hermosa v Atletico Marte - Postponed due to field conditions

Sunday, August 29

FAS 2-1 Aguila
The visitors took the initial lead 20 minutes into the contest courtesy of Nelson Reyes and it took FAS over 40 minutes to find an equalizer through Roberto Pena in the 62nd. Although Gilberto Murgas connected for the winner five minutes from time, coach Alberto Rujan was not happy with the club’s play, citing dissatisfaction with mistakes that were made after the match. Scoring – FAS: Roberto Pena 62, Gilberto Murgas 85; AGU: Nelson Reyes 20

Alianza 2-2 Universidad de El Salvador
It took over an hour for the deadlock to end as Rodolfo Zelaya scored two consecutive goals to give the host club the lead before Ramiro Carballo answered with two of his own, including an 89th minute equalizer. But the thrilling comeback paled to post-game accusations from Alianza that the referee was biased due to a conflict of interesting as he is also currently a Master’s degree student for physical education at the university. Scoring – ALI: Rodolfo Zelaya 62, 71; UES: Ramiro Carballo 77, 89

Guatemala

Saturday, August 28

Marquense 2-2 Penarol La Mesilla
A mistake just two minutes into the match gave Mario Mazariegos the opportunity to put the visitors ahead early. The advantage held, and was doubled in the 64th when Pablo Castro used a goalkeeper error to score. The hosts answered back fiercely with a Johnny Ruiz strike two minutes later and an equalizer from Joaquin Alvarez a mere three minutes later, erasing the deficit in the span of five minutes. Scoring: MAR: Johnny Ruiz 66, Joaquin Alvarez 69; PLM: Mario Mazariegos 2, Pablo Castro 64

Comunicaciones 2-1 Universidad San Carlos
Stadium issues resulted in a late switch of home teams Friday night as the match was hosted behind closed doors by Comunicaciones. It took over an hour for the breakthrough as the visitors jumped in front courtesy of Ruben Lopez off a free kick in the 61st. Transito Montepeque answered right back six minutes later, heading in a corner. In the 76th, he made an excellent individual play to give Comunicaciones the win. Scoring – COM: Transito Montepeque 67, 76; USC: Ruben Lopez 61

Xinabajul 1-0 Suchitepequez
The visitors found themselves down a man with the send-off of Jocimar Nascimento at the close of the first half, but it took until the final moments of the match for the hosts to finally break through with the Edgar Nunez winner. The win, pending other results, put Xinabajul, which is struggling financially and lost a key striker earlier in the week due to non-payment, into a tie for first with Comunicaiones. Scoring – XIN: Edgar Nunez 89

Sunday, August 29

Juventud Retalteca 3-1 Heredia
Raul Gonzalez scored just three minutes in for the hosts, who had an opportunity from the spot to double the lead in the 37th only to see Jorge Estrada stop Igor De Souza’s attempt. Five minutes later, though, Alcibiades Rojas would find that second tally only to later leave with a fractured collarbone that will cost him six weeks. Erick Villatoro made the difference three 10 minutes into the second half with Marlon Pena spoiling the shutout three minutes from the final whistle. Scoring – JR: Raul Gonzalez 3, Alcibiades Rojas 42, Erick Villatoro 55; HER: Marlon Pena 87

Municipal 2-1 Xelaju
All the action wrapped around the halftime intermission as Guillermo Ramirez giving the hosts the lead four minutes before the break from the left side. Two minutes into the second half Xelaju leveled when Edgar Cotto put away a rebound of a Penedo Crossa header that was saved. Ramirez, though, answered right back in the 51st off a free kick. Scoring – MUN: Guillermo Ramirez 41, 51; XEL: Edgar Cotto 47

Malacateco 1-0 Mictlan
Oscar Isaula’s strike two minutes into the second stanza proved enough as Paulo Motta’s work at the other end kept the visitors off the board. Scoring – MAL: Oscar Isaula 47

Honduras

Sunday, August 29

Deportes Savio 1-1 Olimpia
The field conditions were the central story of the conflict as the two sides played to a draw in mud that left the white-clad visitors finishing in brown. On the hour mark, Olimpia’s Ramiro Bruschi touched the ball past the keeper for the lead. The hosts found an equalizer 16 minutes later from the spot by Elroy Smith after a controversial penalty call. Scoring – DS: Elroy Smith pen 76; OLI: Ramiro Bruschi 60

Hispano 0-0 Necaxa
Newly-promoted Necaxa continues lead the league after a scoreless draw on the road against winless Hispano with second-place Platense falling on the road. The result, however, was the club’s first draw after winning its opening three.

Real Espana 1-2 Victoria
The visitors picked up their first victory of the year, rallying to secure three points that moved them from near the bottom to a tie for fifth. Mario Martinez rifled a long-range effort for Real Espana on 31 minutes, but the lead lasted only 10 minutes. David Colon rose above his defender on a corner kick to draw even at the break. Seven minutes before conclusion, Saul Martinez notched the important winner. Scoring – RE: Mario Martinez 31; VIC: David Colon 41, Saul Martinez 83

Motagua 1-0 Platense
Charles Cordoba scored three minutes in for the home side, which continued to dominate the meeting. The efforts at goal, however, did not find the mark with the opening tally standing as the deciding goal. Scoring – MOT: Charles Cordoba 3

Vida 2-3 Marathon
Powerhouse Marathon found themselves down two goals at the half to winless lat-place Vida, but rallied for victory in the second half which saw two strikes in the final five minutes. Jerry Bengtson gave Vida the lead 20 minutes in from the spot after a handball infringement and then doubled the advantage in the final minute of the half when he made a good play off the endline before finding the back of the net. Nicolas Cardozo found Randy Diamond seven minutes into the second half and later tied the contest with his own strike in the 84th. A minute later Diamond stunned the home crowd with the winner. Scoring – VID: Jerry Bengtson pen 20, 45; MAR: Randy Diamond 52, 85, Nicolas Cardozo 84

Panama

Fresh off their Champions League win, leaders Arabe Unido did not suffer a let-down, topping visiting Alianza, 2-1, Sunday to maintain its five-point lead over Chepo, which was a 3-0 winner Friday on the road against Atletico Veraguense. Also five points back are Chorrillo, who drew 1-1 away from home Friday against Tauro, and Sporting San Miguelito, 2-1 victors at home in Saturday’s lone fixture against Plaza Amador. In a meeting of mid-table sides, host Atletico Chiriqui played to a 2-2 draw Sunday with San Francisco, keeping the two clubs level with one another in the table.

North America Round-Up

2010-08-31T08:08:00.000-04:00

A week after winning three of four contests in the CONCACAF Champions League, Major League Soccer clubs found themselves falling in all four matches in the second round of group play. Three of the four losses were at the hands of Mexican sides, which were a perfect 4-0-0. North American league-based Puerto Rico rounded out the results with a victory as well. While MLS clubs were looking to rebound on the weekend, the match of the week was the first professional championship of the season as USL-2 came to a close in Charleston with the Battery playing host to the long-time rival Richmond Kickers.

USL Second Division Championship

Richmond Kickers 1-2 Charleston Battery

The regular season champion Charleston Battery posted and early goal and held on despite playing with 10 men to win the league championship, its third USL title, against Richmond Saturday. A shot from Ian Fuller in the 26th found the feet of teammate Tom Heinemann deep in the box, where he slid it off to USL-2 MVP Lamar Neagle for the opening tally. Four minutes later Colin Falvey was sent of for denying a goal scoring opportunity, taking down Richmond striker Matthew Delicate, who was charging toward goal uncontested.

The Battery, however, handled the adversity well and were able to double the lead in the 52nd minute on a throw-in. Mike Zaher sent the ball to Heinemann, who flicked it on to Ian Fuller. The veteran spun to strike a volley for a huge 2-0 advantage. In the 70th minute a fantastic cross from Sascha Gorres was fired home by Edson Elcock at the back post to pull within one. Fuller again played the hero in stoppage time, heading a Delicate strike off the line to preserve the win. Full Report [+]

Major League Soccer

The Seattle Sounders, 2-0 losers at home to Monterrey Thursday, were the lone MLS club to rebound from Champions League defeat on the weekend, posting a 2-1 victory over the visiting Chicago Fire with a dramatic stoppage time winner from Freddy Montero, his second of the evening.

After a narrow 1-0 road loss Tuesday to Mexican power Santos Laguna, which had outscored the opposition 11-2 leading into the game, the Columbus Crew played to a scoreless draw at home against FC Dallas, the league’s hottest club. Dallas extended two streaks, moving to 7-5-0 in the last 12 in league play and 3-0-7 in the past 10 on the road, breaking the league record which they shared with the Crew.

The other two sides squared off against one another in a scoreless stalemate north of the border. Toronto FC were coming off a 1-0 road loss to Panama’s Arabe Unido while Real Salt Lake had played a thrilling contest that frenetically finished 5-4 in favor of host Cruz Azul on a water-logged pitch during a heavy rainstorm. RSL, with one loss in the last 17 games, nearly won only to see a pair of shots ring off the woodwork in the last 10 minutes.

After trailing for 50 minutes against New England, Philadelphia rallied with a man advantage, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes of the contest with the equalizer in the 82nd minute and the 2-1 winner in stoppage time.

The four other matches on the weekend were shutout victories as New York downed visiting San Jose, 2-0, with Thierry Henry netting his first league goal. Colorado Rapids also won at home, posting a 3-0 win with all three goals coming in the first 23 minutes of the contest against Houston. Kansas City, meanwhile, won 2-0 on the road, handing league-leading Los Angeles its third defeat in four games. The weekend closed with Chivas USA holding on for a 1-0 home win on a 13th minute goal from Justin Braun against DC United.

USSF Division-2

The Austin Aztex missed out on an opportunity to retake the top spot in the league with two matches, playing to a 1-1 draw in Portland Thursday evening. With Rochester falling 2-0 in Montreal on a pair of goals from Ali Gerba, a second draw Sunday in Vancouver to the third-place Whitecaps, 2-2, left the Aztex two points back. The draw was Vancouver’s seventh without defeat.

Puerto Rico went to Carolina and followed up their CCL win with a 3-2 victory over the RailHawks, extending their unbeaten streak to nine games. Also continuing an unbeaten run were the Portland Timbers, who blanked Baltimore, 3-0, with a pair of goals from Bright Dike to reach five straight without a loss.

With Minnesota idle, the Rowdies were unable to climb from the bottom of the USL conference, falling Wednesday in Carolina, 2-1. They then rallied from two down to tie St Louis on the road, 2-2, Sunday to move level with Minnesota on points.

Mexican Primera Review

After another dominating Champions League performance, Santos Laguna’s run of perfection came to an end with a surprising 1-0 loss on the road to one-win Tigres Saturday. Cruz Azul, losers in Toronto, took advantage with a win on the road against Jaguares to pull level. Toluca finally earned its first victory with a narrow decision against fellow winless side Atlas.

Friday, August 27

Estudiantes Tecos 1-1 Morelia
The hosts took the lead six minutes into the second half when a diving Elgabry Rangel sent it in off the crossbar. Tecos looked to be headed to a win when they lost Juan Carlos Leano in the 83rd to a second yellow and saw Morelia pounce on a poor clearance that resulted in Jaime Lozano sending it in off the left post. Scoring – EST: Elgabry Rangel 49; MOR: Jaime Lozano

Saturday, August 28

Cruz Azul 3-2 Tigres UANL
A rebound off a defender came out to Emanuel Villa, who fired from 16 for the lead 10 minutes into the contest for the home side, but Tigres answered less than a minute later when a header across the top of the box was one-timed in by Itamar from similar range. Cruz Azul would go on to post a two-goal lead with Javier Orozco heading in a cross from close range in the 42nd and Manuel Vela hitting from 17 yards out on the left side in the 53rd. Itamar struck again three minutes later when he lofted it over the keeper off a bounce from 19 yards with a defender on his shoulder. Scoring – CA: Emanuel Villa 10, Javier Orozco 42, Manuel Vela 53; TIG: Itamar 11, 56

Monterrey 1-1 Jaguares Chiapas
The visitors took the lead 23 minutes into the match on a fantastic play in which Danilinho chased a long ball down the right side of the box, keeping it from going over the endline at the last moment. He cut back toward the top of the box, touching it past the keeper, who came out to challenge, and fired it in from a sharp angle. The lead was short-lived though as Humberto Suazo received the ball at the top of the box and scored from 12 yards out on the right side. Unfortunately, Suazo was unable to amplify the role of hero, sending a late penalty eight minutes from time well over the goal. Scoring – MON: Humberto Suazo 28; JAG: Danilinho 23

Santos Laguna 3-1 Atlas
Dominance continued for co-leaders Santos Laguna as they tallied three before Atlas got consolation. The two sides were deadlocked through 57 when the ball was slid across the 17 and buried from 16 yards by Carlos Morales. Five minutes later a low cross into the area was put away from eight yards by Cristian Benitez. In the 84th, Daniel Luduena put a long effort in off the underside of the crossbar. A minute later Fabricio Fuentes headed home from six yards. Scoring – SL: Carlos Morales 57, Cristian Benitez 62, Daniel Luduena 84; ATL: Fabricio Fuentes 85

Chivas Guadalajara 0-0 Pumas UNAM
There was not much to celebrate as Chivas debuted in their new stadium, resulting in jeers at the end of the first half from the fans. Guadalajara had more of the offense in the second half but could not end the deadlock.

San Luis 2-1 Atlante
The home side took the initial lead in the 26th minute when Wilmer Aguirre took a long ball and dribbled inside the box from eight yards out, scoring from 15. Atlante tied the match in the 39th with a Mathias Cardaccio shot that deflected off a defender. In similar fashion, Cesar Gonzalez scored from long range in the final minutes from well out on the right flank with a shot that ricocheted off a player and inside the post. Scoring – SL: Wilmer Aguirre 26, Cesar Gonzalez 89; ATL: Mathias Cardaccio 39

Sunday, August 29

Toluca 2-0 Queretaro
After a slow start, Toluca has put a good run together with a second straight win and third overall including Champions League. Hector Mancilla nearly put Toluca in the lead nine minutes in only to see his header go off the post. The breakthrough, however, would come in the 38th when a cross from the left was brought down on the right side by Mario Mendez, who drove back toward the top of the box before ripping a long shot from 20 yards inside the far post. A controversial penalty was called in the 80th when Mancilla stuck his foot in front of defender Joaquin Beltran’s swinging leg as he was attempting to clear. Mancilla would convert from the spot. Scoring – TOL: Mario Mendez 37, Hector Mancilla pen 80

Puebla 3-1 Pachuca
Last season’s scoring champion Herculez Gomez sat on the bench for most of the game as his former club dominated the affair. Pachuca, however, got on the board first in the 64th minute when Damian Manso connected on a free kick into the upper corner. The lead was short-lived with Gabriel Pereyra beating the keeper at the left post. Puebla took the lead five minutes from time when Roberto Juarez headed in a corner. The locked up the with Alejandro Acosta’s strike in the 90th. Scoring – PUE: Gabriel Pereyra 65, Roberto Juarez 85, Alejandro Acosta 90; PAC: Damian Manso 64

America 1-1 Necaxa
Newly-promoted Necaxa continues to surprise although they have only one victory. Dario Gandin scored on a deflection three minutes before the half for the lead on the road. America would answer in the 76th via a Daniel Marquez header, giving Necaxa its it’s third draw. Scoring – AME: Daniel Marquez 76; NEC: Dario Gandin 42

Coming Up Around CONCACAF

2010-08-27T07:47:00.000-04:00

Thus far, it has been a good week for home clubs as they went 6-1-1 in Champions League action and the two USSF Division-2 hosts came away with a win and a draw in midweek contests.

The action around CONCACAF this week continues with a light night Friday. Panama will be the hot spot with two of the four contests with a third in Mexico while rivals Montreal and Rochester square off in USSF Division-2.

All but one MLS contest falls on Saturday, which features the USL Second Division Championship between longtime rivals Richmond and Charleston at Blackbaud Stadium. Two MLS matches feature Top 15 sides in the TSB Power Rankings as Columbus hosts Dallas and Real Salt Lake visits Toronto. Fresh off their Champions League victory, Puerto Rico travels to Carolina in Saturday’s lone fixture in USSF-D2. South of the border, two match-ups of Top 10 clubs in the TSB Rankings meet. Tigres is on the road against Cruz Azul and Chivas Guadalajara hosts Pumas.

Two of the top three sides in USSF-D2 go toe-to-toe Sunday as Austin visits Vancouver. Leading scorer of the Clausura Herculez Gomez travels to face his former side as Pachuca meets Puebla in an interesting showdown Sunday.

FAS returns to action in El Salvador Sunday on the road against third-place Aguila with the coach vowing to make changes after the club’s 4-1 CCL defeat in Puerto Rico and winless (0-1-3) start to the league campaign. Sunday will also mark the first league game for Perez Zeledon under the interim management of Alexander Madrigal after Monday’s removal of Rafael Bautista.

The ‘weekend’s’ action wraps up with a couple extra games on Monday with one each in USSF-D2 and Costa Rica.

CCL Results – Home/Away (TSB ranking)

Tuesday: (53) Arabe Unido 1-0 Toronto FC (11)… (3) Santos Laguna 1-0 Columbus Crew (14) – Wednesday: (5) Cruz Azul 5-4 Real Salt Lake (6)… (27) Puerto Rico Islanders 4-1 FAS (73)… (29) Seattle Sounders 0-2 Monterrey (1) – Thursday: (15) Toluca 4-0 Olimpia (19)… (74) Saprissa 4-1 Marathon (22)… (54) Municipal 1-1 Joe Public (50)

League Results – Home/Away (TSB ranking)

Wednesday: (59) Carolina RailHawks 2-1 Tampa Bay Rowdies (81) – Thursday: (34) Austin Aztex 1-1 Portland Timbers (51)

COMING UP...

Friday, August 27

USSF Division-2: (40) Rochester Rhinos @ Montreal Impact (58)

Mexico: (7) Morelia @ Estudiantes Tecos (37)

Panama: (85) Chepo @ Atletico Veraguense (NR)… (76) Chorrillo @ Tauro (44)

Saturday, August 28

Major League Soccer: (2) FC Dallas @ Columbus Crew (14)… (6) Real Salt Lake @ Toronto FC (11)… (47) Philadelphia Union @ New England Revolution (39)… (20) San Jose Earthquakes @ New York Red Bulls (8)… (33) Houston Dynamo @ Colorado Rapids (23)… (35) Kansas City Wizards @ Los Angeles Galaxy (12)… (25) Chicago Fire @ Seattle Sounders (29)

USSF Division-2: (27) Puerto Rico Islanders @ Carolina RailHawks (59)

USL Second Division: FINAL - (64) Richmond Kickers @ Charleston Battery (52)

Mexico: (4) Tigres UANL @ Cruz Azul (5)… (31) Jaguares Chiapas @ Monterrey (1)… (32) Atlas @ Santos Laguna (3)… (9) Pumas UNAM @ Chivas Guadalajara (10)… (26) Atlante @ San Luis (24)

Costa Rica: (NR) Perez Zeledon @ San Carlos (67)… (90) Limon @ Alajuelense (13)

El Salvador: (88) Atletico Marte @ Vista Hermosa (78)… (NR) Atletico Balboa @ Firpo (62)… (92) Once Municipal @ Isidro Metapan (38)

Guatemala: (NR) Penarol La Mesilla @ Marquense (45)… (46) Comunicaciones @ Universidad San Carlos (NR)… (99) Suchitepequez @ Xinabajul (60)

Honduras: (42) Necaxa @ Hispano (95)… (22) Marathon @ Vida (NR)

Panama: (93) Plaza Amador @ Sporting San Miguelito (79)

Sunday, August 29

Major League Soccer: (56) DC United @ Chivas USA (41)

USSF Division-2: (82) AC St Louis @ Tampa Bay Rowdies (81)… (34) Austin Aztex @ Vancouver Whitecaps (36)

Mexico: (28) Queretaro @ Toluca (15)… (16) Pachuca @ Puebla (18)… (42) Necaxa @ America (17)

Costa Rica: (49) Herediano @ Cartagines (89)… (80) Puntarenas @ Santos de Guapiles (63)… (57) Brujas @ Saprissa (74)

El Salvador: (66) Aguila @ FAS (73)… (100) Universidad de El Salvador @ Alianza (61)

Guatemala: (65) Heredia @ Juventud Retalteca (72)… (75) Xelaju @ Municipal (54)… (71) Mictlan @ Malacateco (77)

Honduras: (19) Olimpia @ Deportes Savio (68)… (NR) Victoria @ Real Espana (70)… (43) Platense @ Motagua (30)

Panama: (NR) Alianza @ Arabe Unido (53)… (84) San Francisco @ Atletico Chiriqui (91)

Monday, August 30

USSF Division-2: (94) Crystal Palace Baltimore @ Portland Timbers (51)

Costa Rica: (48) Barrio Mexico @ Universidad de Costa Rica (NR)

Xinabajul performing well despite serious financial issues

2010-08-27T07:05:00.000-04:00

Xinabajul of Liga Nacional in Guatemala posted a 2-0 victory over powerhouse and Champions League side Municipal last Sunday. It was the club’s third consecutive win after dropping the losses for the two fixtures, good enough to climb into a tie for third in the league despite having significant financial issues.

Things, however, may be hitting a tipping point in the wrong direction as the team’s current leading scorer Gilberto Cesar Alegria departed the club Thursday, citing that he left the team due to the economic problems at the club,. Management met with him, to discuss plans on paying what they owe him, after he said farewell to his teammates at a morning training session.

The club reportedly paid the players 25 percent of the salaries they were due for the month of July on Monday. Players were upset at the amount received and allegedly questioned the attendance report, and the subsequent revenue made, for the match against Municipal.

The club expects to pay the remainder of the salaries upon receipt of the money due from sponsors in the coming days, but have been delaying payments since initially agreeing to pay them a percentage of the salary owed in the first few days of the month.

The club came into the season in debt and in search of new financial support. The situation resulted in the club having to forfeit its opening match July 24 against Marquense (deemed a 3-0 loss) as it had not met its obligations with the league at the time, including processing player registration and paying the applicable fees. It was facing removal from Liga Nacional, but has since named a new president and executive board.

The team has steadily declined since its promotion to the league for the 2008-09 campaign, opening with a sixth place finish in the 2008 Apertura and subsequently finishing seventh, eighth and, in the Clausura this past spring, 11th. It has a combined season record of 24-25-31 (W-D-L) during the four Liga Nacional Apertura/Clausura sessions.

For more, visit Guatefutbol.com (Spanish) [+]

TSB's Top Five for USL-2 MVP

2010-08-24T21:48:00.000-04:00

It is awards season as the championship game approaches for the USL Second Division Saturday. TSB takes a look at who the top five contenders for the award should be and who, ultimately, the voting will turn out in favor of.

TSB's MVP Rankings

5 – Tom Heinemann (Charleston): His debut to the professional flight last year when the Battery were in the USL First Division saw a minimal amount of time as he only played 621 minutes with a pair of goals. In his second season he proved a critical component as part of a two-man attack, finishing tied for first in assists (5) as well as third in both goals (7) and points (10) as the club won the regular season title.

4 – Hunter Gilstrap (Pittsburgh): After a rough USL-1 season in Cleveland a year ago, Gilstrap became a leader for the Riverhounds defensively, allowing seven fewer goals than they did in 2009. Gilstrap may have only been the league leader in minutes played tied with Brian Levey at 1,620, but he played a key role in the club’s turnaround, finishing second in goals against average (1.00), tied for second in shutouts (6) and third in wins (7). The Riverhounds finished tied with Richmond for the best defense, allowing 20 goals.

3 – Matthew Delicate (Richmond): Always a leader for the Kickers, Delicate finished second again in goals (11) and points (24) as Richmond finished second in the league. He added a goal and an assist in the semifinal contest against Pittsburgh.

2 – Lamar Neagle (Charleston): After not making a league-game appearance as a rookie for the Seattle Sounders of MLS a year ago, Neagle made a splash on the opposite coast for the Battery, finishing as the league leader in goals (12) and points (25). Typically, leading scorers or stars of the regular season champion secure the necessary votes to claim the award, making Neagle nearly a shoe-in for the league’s MVP honor.

1 – Chad Severs (Pittsburgh): Sometimes in sports you don’t realize how important a player is until they are gone. For years the Harrisburg City Islanders have been contenders for the league title. Severs’ move to the state-rival Riverhounds proved how key he was for Isles, where he was the team’s leading scorer last year, ranking in the league tied for third in goals (9) and tied for fourth in points (19). He helped Pittsburgh move from next to last to third in the table, which included winning the season series against second-place Richmond, while Harrisburg dropped next to last after being third a year ago – an exact swap. Severs again the led his team and was among the league leaders. He finished tied for fourth in both goals (6) and points (14).

Prognostication

Having finished on the All-League Second Team, it is unlikely Severs will be an official finalist for the honor when USL announces them. Unfortunately, the award is typically geared towards the attacking players with an emphasis on what you did that season and the impact on the league - apparently he did not do enough in 2010. Defensive players typically receive all-league votes based on their reputation and performance over the past few years, showing consistently well against the opposing coaches. Looking at the First Team list, I would imagine Neagle and Delicate are locks to be finalists with Gilstrap or Heinemann being the third person in the running for the award. In the end, Neagle will take the honor.

Power Rankings: Shakeup at the Top

2010-08-24T11:26:00.000-04:00

Surprise defeats cost Santos Laguna and Cruz Azul two of the top three spots in the TSB’s CONCACAF Pro Club Power Rankings this week, although they did not slip far. Champions League played a role for several clubs as 16 teams began the Group Phase last week.

Former table-topper Santos Laguna drubbed out-of-season Joe Public, 5-2, in the Champions League only to suffer a 1-0 loss to the tough Tigres defense in league play. Cruz Azul, previously third, had the opposite experience, falling on the road, 2-1, to Toronto in the CCL and rebounding to top Jaguares away, 3-2. Their drops to third and fifth, respectively, allowed Monterrey and FC Dallas to move upward along with Tigres making a steep jump eight spots to fourth.

Among the big movers on the week were Marathon and DC United. Marathon posted a 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders in the CCL, the only Central American win on the week, and followed it up with a 1-0 league victory against Motagua, climbing from 45th to 22nd. DC moved from 81 to 56 by ending their lengthy slump with a 2-0 victory against Philadelphia, pulling themselves back up toward the back of the pack of MLS sides in the table.

With Rochester adding two more wins to extend its streak to six consecutive wins, the Rhinos moved up to round out the top 40. Newly-promoted Necaxa of Honduras is not far back at 42 after winning its third straight to open the campaign. FAS of El Salvador was set to make a major leap up the list with a scoreless draw against Toluca in the CCL only to see it stunted by a 2-1 league loss to Isidro Metapan as they went from 85 to 73.

USL Second Division Semifinal winners Richmond moved up the list six spots to 64 with their championship showdown set for Saturday against Charleston, which finds itself at 52 following an idle week.

Previously unranked clubs Limon (CRC), Atletico Chiriqui (PAN), Once Municipal (SLV) and Suchitepequez (GUA) moved into the Top 100, knocking out Penarol La Mesilla (GUA), Atletico Veraguense (PAN), Universidad San Carlos (GUA), Universidad de Costa Rica (CRC).

CONCACAF Pro Club Power Rankings

(Champions League - Group Stage clubs in yellow)

Rank . [Previous] … Club (League) … League Record W-D-L … Notes

1 . [2] … Monterrey (MEX) … 3-2-0 … 2-2 D @ Pachuca, CCL 2-1 W v Saprissa

2 . [4] … FC Dallas (MLS) … 9-9-2 … 1-0 W v Chivas USA

3 . [1] … Santos Laguna (MEX) … 4-0-1 … 0-1 L @ Tigres, CCL 5-2 W @ Joe Public

4 . [12] … Tigres UANL (MEX) … 2-2-1 … 1-0 W v Santos Laguna

5 . [3] … Cruz Azul (MEX) … 4-0-1 … 3-2 W @ Jaguares, CCL 1-2 L @ Toronto

6 . [6] … Real Salt Lake (MLS) … 11-6-4 … CCL 2-1 W v Arabe Unido

7 . [7] … Morelia (MEX) … 3-0-1 … 1-0 W v Necaxa

8 . [10] … New York Red Bulls (MLS) … 10-4-7 … 4-1 W @ Toronto

9 . [11] … Pumas UNAM (MEX) … 3-0-2 … 4-1 W v Puebla

10 . [9] … Chivas Guadalajara (MEX) … 1-1-1 … 1-2 L @ Atlante

11 . [14] … Toronto FC (MLS) … 7-5-8 … 1-4 L v New York, CCL 2-1 W v Cruz Azul

12 . [8] … Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) … 13-4-4 … 0-1 L @ San Jose

13 . [13] … Alajuelense (CRC) … 4-1-0 … 1-0 W @ Perez Zeledon

14 . [17] … Columbus Crew (MLS) … 12-4-5 … 3-1 W v Colorado, CCL 1-0 W v Municipal

15 . [16] … Toluca (MEX) … 1-3-1 … 1-0 W @ Atlas, CCL 0-0 D @ FAS

16 . [15] … Pachuca (MEX) … 1-2-2 … 2-2 D v Monterrey

17 . [18] … America (MEX) … 2-2-1 … 1-0 W @ Queretaro

18 . [5] … Puebla (MEX) … 2-2-1 … 1-4 L @ Pumas

19 . [25] … Olimpia (HON) … 1-2-0 … 2-2 D v Real Espana, CCL 1-1 D @ Puerto Rico

20 . [27] … San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) … 8-5-6 … 1-0 W v Los Angeles

21 . [22] … Necaxa (MEX) … 1-2-2 … 0-1 L @ Morelia

22 . [45] … Marathon (HON) … 1-2-0 … 1-0 W v Motagua, CCL 2-1 W v Seattle

23 . [19] … Colorado Rapids (MLS) … 7-7-6 … 1-3 L @ Columbus

24 . [21] … San Luis (MEX) … 2-1-2 … 2-3 L @ Estudiantes Tecos

25 . [26] … Chicago Fire (MLS) … 6-6-6 … 2-1 W v New England, 3-4 L @ Houston

26 . [36] … Atlante (MEX) … 1-1-3 … 2-1 W v Guadalajara

27 . [28] … Puerto Rico Islanders (USSFD2) … 7-8-7 … 1-1 D @ St Louis, CCL 1-1 D v Olimpia

28 . [23] … Queretaro (MEX) … 2-1-2 … 0-1 L v America

29 . [24] … Seattle Sounders (MLS) … 8-5-8 … CCL 1-2 L @ Marathon

30 . [29] … Motagua (HON) … 0-1-2 … 0-1 L @ Marathon

31 . [20] … Jaguares Chiapas (MEX) … 0-2-3 … 2-3 L v Cruz Azul

32 . [33] … Atlas (MEX) … 0-1-4 … 0-1 L v Toluca

33 . [37] … Houston Dynamo (MLS) … 6-5-10 … 4-3 W v Chicago

34 . [32] … Austin Aztex (USSFD2) … 13-5-3 … 3-2 W v Carolina

35 . [47] … Kansas City Wizards (MLS) … 6-5-9 … 4-1 W v New England

36 . [34] … Vancouver Whitecaps (USSFD2) … 9-12-3 … 1-1 D @ Tampa Bay

37 . [38] … Estudiantes Tecos (MEX) … 1-0-3 … 3-2 W v San Luis

38 . [41] … Isidro Metapan (SLV) … 3-1-0 … 2-1 W @ FAS

39 . [30] … New England Revolution (MLS) … 6-3-11 … 1-2 L @ Chicago, 1-4 L @ Kansas City

40 . [48] … Rochester Rhinos (USSFD2) … 13-6-5 … 2-0 W @ Baltimore, 3-1 W v Miami

41 . [31] … Chivas USA (MLS) … 5-4-11 … 0-1 L @ Dallas

42 . [52] … Necaxa (HON) … 3-0-0 … 3-1 W v Deportes Savio

43 . [39] … Platense (HON) … 2-1-0 … 2-1 W @ Hispano

44 . [40] … Tauro (PAN) … 1-3-0 … 2-2 D v Atletico Chiriqui

45 . [42] … Marquense (GUA) … 3-1-1 … 2-2 D @ Comunicaciones

46 . [43] … Comunicaciones (GUA) … 2-3-0 … 2-2 D v Marquense

47 . [35] … Philadelphia Union (MLS) … 4-5-11 … 0-2 L @ DC

48 . [44] … Barrio Mexico (CRC) … 3-1-1 … 0-0 D v Santos de Guapiles

49 . [53] … Herediano (CRC) … 4-0-1 … 3-1 W v Saprissa

50 . [46] … Joe Public (TRI) … 5-4-1 F … CCL 2-5 L v Santos Laguna

51 . [49] … Portland Timbers (USSFD2) … 9-8-7 … 1-0 W @ Minnesota

52 . [50] … Charleston Battery (USL2) … 11-5-4 F … Idle

53 . [54] … Aribe Unido (PAN) … 3-1-0 … 3-2 W @ Plaza Amador, CCL 1-2 L @ Salt Lake

54 . [56] … Municipal (GUA) … 2-1-2 … 0-2 L @ Xinabajul, CCL 0-1 L @ Columbus

55 . [58] … Defence Force (TRI) … 10-0-0 F …

56 . [81] … DC United (MLS) … 4-3-13 … 2-0 W v Philadelphia

57 . [55] … Brujas (CRC) … 2-1-2 … 3-3 D v Cartagines

58 . [60] … Montreal Impact (USSFD2) … 7-7-10 … 5-0 W v Baltimore

59 . [59] … Carolina RailHawks (USSFD2) … 8-7-7 … 2-1 W v Miami, 2-3 L @ Austin

60 . [63] … Xinabajul (GUA) … 3-0-2 … 2-0 W v Municipal

61 . [62] … Alianza (SLV) … 2-2-0 … 2-0 W @ Aguila

62 . [61] … Firpo (SLV) … 1-2-1 … 1-1 D @ Universidad de El Salvador

63 . [64] … Santos de Guapiles (CRC) … 2-2-1 … 0-0 D @ Barrio Mexico

64 . [70] … Richmond Kickers (USL2) … 9-6-5 F … PO 2-0 W v Pittsburgh

65 . [67] … Heredia (GUA) … 2-2-1 … 0-0 D v Malacateco

66 . [51] … Aguila (SLV) … 2-1-1 … 0-2 L v Alianza

67 . [57] … San Carlos (CRC) … 2-0-2 … 0-2 L @ Limon

68 . [65] … Deportes Savio (HON) … 1-1-1 … 1-3 L @ Necaxa

69 . [66] … San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) … 4-3-3 F …

70 . [77] … Real Espana (HON) … 1-1-1 … 2-2 D @ Olimpia

71 . [72] … Mictlan (GUA) … 3-1-1 … 1-0 W v Universidad San Carlos

72 . [68] … Juventud Retalteca (GUA) … 2-1-2 … 1-2 L @ Xelaju

73 . [85] … FAS (SLV) … 0-1-3 … 1-2 L v Isidro Metapan, CCL 0-0 D v Toluca

74 . [69] … Deportivo Saprissa (CRC) … 1-1-3 … 1-3 L @ Herediano, CCL 1-2 L @ Monterrey

75 . [74] … Xelaju (GUA) … 3-0-2 … 2-1 W v Juventud Retalteca

76 . [76 … Chorrillo (PAN) … 2-1-1 … 2-0 W v Atletico Veraguense

77 . [73] … Malacateco (GUA) … 2-1-2 … 0-0 D @ Heredia

78 . [75] … Vista Hermosa (SLV) … 1-2-1 … 2-2 D @ Atletico Balboa

79 . [78] … Sporting San Miguelito (PAN) … 1-2-1 … 1-1 D @ Chepo

80 . [79] … Puntarenas (CRC) … 2-0-3 … 3-0 W v Universidad de Costa Rica

81 . [82] … Tampa Bay Rowdies (USSFD2) … 6-9-8 … 1-1 D v Vancouver

82 . [84] … AC St Louis (USSFD2) … 5-7-11 … 1-1 D v Puerto Rico

83 . [71] … Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL2) … 7-8-5 F … PO 0-2 L @ Richmond

84 . [97] … San Francisco (PAN) … 1-2-1 … 2-1 W @ Alianza

85 . [87] … Chepo (PAN) … 1-2-1 … 1-1 D v Sporting San Miguelito

86 . [88] … W Connection (TRI) … 5-2-3 F …

87 . [89] … Ma Pau (TRI) … 4-5-1 F …

88 . [90] … Atletico Marte (SLV) … 1-1-2 … 0-1 L v Once Municipal

89 . [92] … Cartagines (CRC) … 1-2-2 … 3-3 D @ Brujas

90 . [NR] … Limon (CRC) … 2-0-3 … 2-0 W v San Carlos

91 . [NR] … Atletico Chiriqui (PAN) … 1-2-1 … 2-2 D @ Tauro

92 . [NR] … Once Municipal (SLV) … 1-2-1 … 1-0 W @ Atletico Marte

93 . [94] … Plaza Amador (PAN) … 1-1-2 … 2-3 L v Arabe Unido

94 . [91] … Crystal Palace Baltimore (USSFD2) … 6-6-12 … 0-2 L v Rochester, 0-5 L v Montreal

95 . [93] … Hispano (HON) … 0-1-2 … 1-2 L v Platense

96 . [96] … NSC Minnesota (USSFD2) … 7-7-11 … 0-1 L v Portland

97 . [95] … Miami FC Blues (USSFD2) … 3-8-13 … 1-2 L @ Carolina, 1-3 L @ Rochester

98 . [98] … Charlotte Eagles (USL2) … 5-7-8 F … Idle

99 . [NR] … Suchitepiquez (GUA) … 1-1-3 … 2-0 W v Penarol La Mesilla

100 . [100] … Universidad de El Salvador (SLV) … 1-1-2 … 1-1 D v Firpo

North America Round-Up

2010-08-24T07:46:00.000-04:00

The CONCACAF Champions League participants from the North American-based leagues started the week off well as the Group Stage of the tournament began. MLS clubs won three of four, Mexican sides were unbeaten in three with two wins, and Puerto Rico played to a draw for an overall record of five wins, two draws and pair of losses. Professional postseason action began in the United States with the USL Second Division Semifinal between Richmond and Pittsburgh.

Major League Soccer

It was a tough week for the New England Revolution, who saw their eight-game unbeaten run in MLS and SuperLiga play come to an end in Chicago, 2-1, in the lone midweek contest Wednesday. They then traveled south and dropped a second match, 4-1, Saturday in Kansas City, allowing the Fire and Wizards to pull ahead of them in the table.

On a busy Saturday, New York ended the amazing 17-game league home unbeaten run of Toronto FC, which was coming off a surprising 2-1 win over current two-time CCL finalist Cruz Azul. The 4-1 defeat, sparked by a spectacular Rafa Marquez strike to open the scoring, was Toronto’s first of the year at home. The Red Bulls, however, were unable to gain ground on Columbus as the Crew were 3-1 winners at home against Colorado, capping a week that included a 1-0 win over Municipal.

In a pair of tight affairs for the two Los Angeles clubs, Chivas USA fell, 1-0, at Dallas while the Galaxy were surprised by San Jose, 1-0. Dallas is now unbeaten over the past 11 contests.

Houston and DC ended lengthy slumps. Brian Ching netted a hat-trick that included a bicycle kick in a 4-3 win against the Fire, who tied the game in the 81st minute before Ching hit the winner five minutes from time Saturday. The win ended a 10-game winless run in league play and an overall 13-game winless streak against MLS opponents in league, SuperLiga and Open Cup action. The next day United followed suit, ending a five-game losing streak, seven winless, on a pair of Danny Allsopp goals against Philadelphia, whose luck has not matched the effort with a current six-game winless stretch.

USSF Division-2

The league-leading Rochester Rhinos picked up two victories on the week to extend their winning streak to six matches. They opened the week with a 2-0 win at Baltimore Wednesday and returned home Saturday for a 3-1 win against Miami, who also dropped a Wednesday night contest in Carolina, 2-1.

On Thursday, Tampa Bay played a 1-1 draw against NASL Conference leader Vancouver, extending the Rowdies’ winless stretch to five matches. Friday saw another 1-1 draw as Puerto Rico, fresh off a 1-1 CCL draw against Olimpia, visited St Louis.

Baltimore dropped its second match of the week Saturday in a 5-0 drubbing to visiting Montreal as the Impact snapped a five-game winless series. Minnesota’s unfortunate run, however, continued as the Stars fell, 1-0, to visiting Portland, to hit seven consecutive without a win.

On Sunday, Austin got back to its winning ways, 3-2, against Carolina, after seeing a seven-game unbeaten run end the week before.

USL Second Division Semifinal

Richmond Kickers 2-0 Pittsburgh Riverhounds
After dropping the season series against Pittsburgh with a win, draw and two losses, the Richmond Kickers scored twice in a game against the Riverhounds for the first time this season in the league semifinal. Matthew Delicate scored the opening goal in the 37th minute and set up Bobby Foglesong in the 50th to secure a return trip to the final to defend the title against the Charleston Battery. It is the Kickers’ fifth appearance in the last six years and eighth in USL league play.

Mexican Primera Review

After another dominating Champions League performance, Santos Laguna’s run of perfection came to an end with a surprising 1-0 loss on the road to one-win Tigres Saturday. Cruz Azul, losers in Toronto, took advantage with a win on the road against Jaguares to pull level. Toluca finally earned its first victory with a narrow decision against fellow winless side Atlas.

Friday, August 20

Estudiantes Tecos 3-2 San Luis
Sammy Ochoa opened the scoring 23 minutes in for the home side, but the visitors leveled through Michael Arroyo a minute before the break on a left-footed effort from the left side. A throw-in found its way to Diego Jimenez in the 73rd minute to restore the hosts’ advantage with a volley, but San Luis found another equalizer five minutes later. A mid-range effort from Tressor Moreno that goalkeeper Christian Martinez mishandled allowed Anibal Matellan to score. A free kick from Ramon Morales seven minutes from time decided the outcome. Scoring – ET: Sammy Ochoa 23; SL: Michael Arroyo 44; ET: Diego Jimenez 73; SL Anibal Matellan 78; ET: Ramon Morales 83

Saturday, August 21

Jaguares 2-3 Cruz Azul
Christian Gimenez opened his hat-trick performance on a free kick in the 16th minute to give the visitors the lead after having lost in Toronto midweek in Champions League. But Cruz Azul saw the advantage wiped away on a free kick from Jorge Rodriguez on the half hour mark and found themselves trailing after four minutes of the second stanza when goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona was unable to handle a long ball just outside the edge of the box, allowing Edgar Andrade to put away the easy chance. Gimenez earned his second on a rocket in the 62nd and finished the hat-trick with the winner in the 78th. Scoring – CA: Christian Gimenez 16; JAG: Jorge Rodriguez 30; JAG: Edgar Andrade 49; CA: Christian Gimenez 62; CA: Christian Gimenez 78

Pachuca 2-2 Monterrey
The hosts took the lead seven minutes into the action when a long free kick was headed in by Dario Cvitanich, but Monterrey rallied in the second half to take the advantage. Humberto Suazo leveled on a fine play, chesting a cross down and one-timing it off the bounce inside the far post in the 69th. Nine minutes later a cross from the right found Aldo De Nigris near the far post, where he rose above the defender to send a looping header over the keeper. Pachuca earned a split of the points on a controversial play in the 90th minute as a corner headed on goal by Daniel Arreola at the near post was swatted out by the netminder, but was ruled as having crossed the line. Scoring – PAC: Dario Cvitanich 7; MON: Humberto Suazo 69; MON: Aldo De Nigris 78; PAC: Daniel Arreola 90

Tigres UANL 1-0 Santos Laguna
A long, low free kick through the Santos Laguna defense, which had allowed just one goal in four previous games, proved to be the difference as Juninho’s ninth minute strike stood for the win. The defense of Tigres, unbeaten since their 1-0 opening week loss, stood firm as the club has allowed only three goals through five games. Scoring – TIG: Juninho 9

Atlas 0-1 Toluca
It looked as though Toluca was going to finish its sixth overall match of the campaign without a win before Antonio Naelson made a great move to fire home the winner two minutes into stoppage time. Scoring – TOL: Zinha 92+

Atlante 2-1 Guadalajara
After falling in the Copa Libertadores Final earlier in the week, it looked like Chivas Guadalajara were going to rebound well when Omar Bravo scored just a minute into the contest. The club came charging down the field and Bravo ran onto the ball in the box before tapping it aside to leap over the keeper’s tackle and finish into the empty net. It unraveled two minutes later with the send-off of Edgar Mejia and a corner in the fourth was headed in by Nicolas Torres to level the score. A cross from the right side in the 36th found Johan Fano, who headed in from 10 yards to give Atlante its first win of the season. Scoring – GUA: Omar Bravo 1; ATL: Nicolas Torres 4; ATL: Johan Fano 36

Sunday, August 22

Morelia 1-0 Necaxa
Newly-promoted Necaxa nearly posted another impressive result only to see a draw escape their clutches in the 74th minute when Rafael Marquez received the ball on the right side and rifled a shot past the keeper for Morelia’s third win in four matches. Scoring – MOR: Rafael Marquez 74

Pumas UNAM 4-1 Puebla
Puebla suffered their first loss as the home side ran away in the second half. Pumas held the advantage at the break on a Dante Lopez goal in the 27th. Puebla tied it up in the 64th when Orlando Rincon put away a rebound. Juan Cacho replied with two consecutive strikes, finishing a cross from Leandro Augusto in the 69th and following it up in the 78th. Lopez wrapped it up with a shot off the underside of the crossbar in the 90th. Scoring – PUM: Dante Lopez 27; PUE: Yasser Corona 63; PUM: Juan Cacho 69; PUM: Juan Cacho 78; PUM: Dante Lopez 90

Queretaro 0-1 America
Queretaro’s fast start has given way to three without a win while America extended its unbeaten run to four. A minute into the second half the visitors found the deciding marker when Daniel Montenegro blasted a shot in off the right post. Scoring – AME: Daniel Montenegro 46

Central America Round-Up

2010-08-23T21:30:00.000-04:00

The week started off roughly for the Central American club. Collectively, they only saw one victory out of six contests in the opening week of CONCACAF Champions League group play. Marathon of Honduras was the lone winner, edging visiting Seattle, 2-1, while the other five earned two draws and suffered three defeats against North American opposition. Olimpia rallied for a 1-1 draw in Puerto Rico and FAS registered a stunning scoreless draw against visiting Toluca. Saprissa fell in Mexico to Monterrey, 2-1, and MLS hosts Columbus and Real Salt Lake downed Municipal, 1-0, and Arabe Unido, 2-1, in their respective matches.

Costa Rica

8/21 – Barrio Mexico 0-0 Santos de Guapiles
The wet artificial turf made for a difficult contest as the two clubs squared off. Barrio Mexico’s Francisco Flores was sent off seven minutes into the second stanza, but 16 minutes later the situation was balanced as Fernando Sequeira was shown red just five minutes after entering the contest.

8/21 – Herediano 3-1 Deportivo Saprissa
An weak early shot from Jose Sanchez was easily knocked out of play by goalkeeper Fausto Gonzalez, but the subsequent corner found its way to Roberth Arias, whose header opened the scoring. Two penalty kick goals from Froylan Ledezma in the second half sealed the victory as Alejandro Sequeira’s strike came too late for Saprissa. Scoring – HER: Roberth Arias 6; HER: Froylan Ledezma (penalty) 71; HER: Froylan Ledezma (penalty) 80; SAP: Alejandro Sequeira 85

8/22 – Perez Zeledon 0-1 Alajuelense
The host side nearly got on the board in a match mired in the midfield much of the game, but Rafael Gayton’s penalty in the 65th minute was not good enough and left the match scoreless. Seven minutes later Pablo Gabas sent a long ball to Diego Estrada, who fed Marco Urena for what stood as the winner with a late headed corner going off the crossbar that could have tied the game in the final seconds. Scoring – ALA: Marco Urena 72

8/22 – Puntarenas 3-0 Universidad de Costa Rica
The home side got on the board first when Rafael Nunez headed a Rafael Viquez corner past the netminder. Viquez then took the scoring role upon himself with two late goals to wrap up the victory. Arial Santana connected with Viquez in the 73rd and beat Warner Hernandez again eight minutes later, chesting down a Pedro Leal pass and firing it home. Scoring – PUN: Rafael Nunez 18; PUN: Mario Viquez 73; PUN: Mario Viquez 81

8/22 – Brujas 3-3 Cartagines
Twelve minutes into the contest Andres Nunez stole the ball and beat back-up goalkeeper Luis Torres from a narrow angle for the opening strike for the home side. Torres came up big with a save, sending a Pablo Brenes shot off the crossbar, but in the 34th minute Bryan Vega went down the right before sending the ball to Cristian Lagos to double the lead. Moments later, though, at the other end Lagos handled the ball on a Franco Basso header, sending Randall Brenes to the spot and closing the gap. Another three minutes later Brenes equaled the first half score from the spot again. Josimer Arias put the hosts back on top in the 53rd on a free kick. Cartagines answered seven from time on a corner kick scramble with the loose ball coming to Eduardo Valverde for the equalizer. Scoring – BRU: Andres Nunez 12; BRU: Cristian Lagos 32; CAR: Randall Brenes (penalty) 34; CAR: Randall Brenes (penalty) 40; BRU: Jorge Arias 53; CAR: Eduardo Valverde 83

8/22 – Limon 2-0 San Carlos
Newcomer Evance Benwell made quite a splash in his debut, scoring off a cross from the left past Donny Grant 14 minutes into the contest. Dominated by the home side from the opening minute, Limon was unable to secure the win until the fourth minute of stoppage time when Kenny Mitchell took advantage of an error and blasted a shot past Grant. Scoring – LIM: Evance Benwell 14; LIM: Kenny Mitchell 94+

El Salvador

8/21 – Universidad de El Salvador 1-1 Firpo
After a scoreless first half, Rafael Burgos snapped the stalemate with a long-range effort in the 57th minute. The hosts escaped defeat two minutes from time when Eliseo Quintanilla collected a cross from the right and sent it inside the far post. Scoring – UES: Rafael Burgos 57; FIR: Eliseo Quintanilla 88

8/21 – FAS 1-2 Isidro Metapan
The visiting side did well to manage a rain-soaked pitch while the hosts were fresh off a stunning 1-1 draw against Toluca in Champions League action midweek. An error allowed the visitors to take an early lead as Emerson Umana sent a short corner to Paolo Suarez, who took a surprise shot from outside the box that slipped through the wet gloves of the keeper. FAS fought back in the 56th when Manuel Salazar was left open inside the box to tie the match. In the 66th, FAS defender Mordecai Henriquez was sent off for a second yellow on a foul in the box, but the ensuing penalty was sent high by Umana. He would get a second chance on a handball in stoppage time, this time finding the back of the net. Scoring – IM: Paolo Suarez 8; FAS: Manuel Salazar 56; IM: Emerson Umana 94+

8/21 – Aguila 0-2 Alianza
Defender Mauricio Quintanilla gave the visitors the lead 21 minutes into the contest, heading in a corner from Herbert Sosa. Alianza capped the victory on the road with a strike from Abraham Amaya four minutes into stoppage time. Scoring – ALI: Mauricio Quintanilla 21; ALI: Abraham Amaya 94+

8/22 – Atletico Balboa 2-2 Vista Hermosa
Looking for their first win, the hosts found themselves fighting to erase a deficit twice in the match, earning a third draw in four outings. Javier Hernandez put the visitors on the board first and looked to be headed to the win before Juan Campos finally found an equalizer with 10 minutes left. The celebration was short-lived though as Vista Hermosa’s John Castillo re-established the advantage within two minutes. Campos, though, came to the rescue again in the 90th minute. Scoring – VH: Javier Hernandez 30; AB: Juan Campos 80; VH: John Castillo 82; AB: Juan Campos 90

8/22 – Atletico Marte 0-1 Once Municipal
A match mired in mud was determined just three minutes into the contest as Ramon Flores surprised the hosts for an early lead that would stand as the winner. The score came on a fantastic play in which Carlos Asprilla played the ball back to Diego Chavarrio, who dummied as the ball came to Flores for the lone strike. The pitch affected the rest of the match, which saw a pair of Atletico Marte goals nullified as they tried to rally. Scoring – OM: Ramon Flores 3

Guatemala

8/21 – Comunicaciones 2-2 Marquense
Edgar Chinchilla’s header opened the scoring between the two rivals as his goal in the 35th was the lone strike of the half. In the 50th minute, Comunicactiones nearly went up two when Rolando Fonseca sent a shot off the crossbar only to see Marquense quickly drive down the pitch in a counter finishing with Francisco Aguilar flying down the right flank and sending a cross in to Jhony Ruiz, who headed in the equalizer. Four minutes later Fredy Thompson fired a rebound in from outside the area to retake the lead. Marquense would earn the road draw in the 66th when converted a penalty after a handball in the box. Scoring – COM: Edgar Chinchilla 35; MAR: Jhony Ruiz 51; COM: Fredy Thompson 55; MAR: Israel Donis (penalty) 66

8/21 – Xelaju 2-1 Juventud Retalteca
The hosts took the early advantage via Martin Crossa 16 minutes into the contest. The crowd was silenced by an immediate answer from Jorge Estrada to level terms. Eight minutes before the break Israel Silva put Xelaju back in front. A second half stalemate near finished with a dramatic tie only to see a stoppage time equalizer negated for offside. Scoring – XEL: Nelson Crossa 16; JR: Jorge Estrada 17; XEL: Israel Silva 37

8/22 – Mictlan 1-0 Universidad San Carlos
Knowing Marquense stood atop the table from the day before, Mictlan moved into a share for the lead 34 minutes into the contest on the work of Mario Pineyro. Scoring – MIC: Mario Pineyro 34

8/22 – Suchitepequez 2-0 Penarol La Mesilla
In a showdown of two of the league’s cellar dwellers, the hosts came out on top of the rain-damaged field. Josimer Nascimento gave Suchitepequez the lead 12 minutes in and Evandro Ferreira doubled it 13 minutes into the second frame. The visitors effort to rally was squelched in the 63rd when Santiago Morandi stopped a penalty kick by Moctezuma Serrato. Scoring – SUC: Josimer Nascimento 12; SUC: Evandro Ferreira 58

8/22 – Xinabajul 2-0 Municipal
Erick Priego gave the hosts the advantage in the 47th minute and Gustavo Betancour connected on a long range free kick in the 66th that left the goalkeeper Jaime Penedo standing and watching it go in. Scoring – XIN: Erick Priego 47; XIN: Gustavo Betancourt 66

8/22 – Heredia 0-0 Malacateco
Heredia dominated, in part, by Mario Castellanos, but were unable to find a way past Malacateco netminder Ricardo Alberto Trigueno Foster. The scoreless draw kept both clubs within three points of the leaders.

Honduras

8/21 – Vida 1-1 Victoria
Jerry Bengtson gave the hosts the lead, but the visitors answered when Samir Arzu’s shot from the right took advantage of a goalkeeping error. Scoring – VID: Jerry Bengtson 27; VIC: Samir Arzu 55

8/22 - Hispanio 1-2 Platense
After falling behind to the hosts in the first half, Platense rallied with a great play finished by Quiarol Arzu five minutes into the second half and grabbed the victory nine minutes later off the head of Juan Carcamo to move into second in the table. Scoring – HIS: Pompilio Cacho 37; PLA: Quiarol Arzu 50; Juan Carcamo 59

8/22 – Necaxa 3-1 Deportes Savio
The newly-promoted Necaxa remained perfect and sit atop the table as Ruben Licona’s goal, his league-leading fourth, in the 23rd minute led to a 2-1 halftime lead and held as the winner. Ruben Matamoros, who opened the scoring, added a second as they pushed their league-leading goal total to eight. Scoring – NEC: Ruben Matamoros 6; DS: Juan Mejia 7; NEC: Ruben Licona 23; NEC: Ruben Matamoros 67

8/22 – Marathon 1-0 Motagua
The two Champions League sides squared off without a win between them and as it appeared they would finish that way still, Randy Diamond took advantage of a poor clearance to give Marathon the win in the final seconds of the contest.Scoring – MAR: Randy Diamond 92+

8/22 – Olimpia 2-2 Real Espana
Olimpia, fresh off a midweek Champions League draw in Puerto Rico, led twice in their return home only to see errors allow Real Espana back into the match. Scoring – OLI: Andres Copete 16; RE: Christian Martinez 29; OLI: Roger Rojas 42; RE: Mario Martinez 71

Panama

Arabe Unido maintained their status as the league leaders with a 3-2 road victory over Plaza Amador Saturday while a battle of winless clubs also finished in favor of the visitors with San Francisco edging Alianza 2-1. The night before, Tauro remained the only other unbeaten with their third draw in four matches, playing 2-2 with Atletico Chiriqui while Chorrillo briefly moved into a tie with Arabe Unido by blanking Atletico Veraguense, 2-0. The weekend finished with a 1-1 draw between Chepo and Sporting San Miguelit

Coming Up Around CONCACAF

2010-08-19T22:58:00.001-04:00

With the Group Stage starting this week, the midweek schedule for league play was fairly light with only one MLS contest and three for USSF Division-2. Meanwhile, the confederation’s top club competition resumed with the group phase featuring eight seeded clubs and the eight winners from the Preliminary Round.

For the most part, the results went according to what may be expected per The Soccer Barn’s CONCACAF Pro Club Power Rankings as the only upsets were close contests where the lower ranked side was at home. Among them was Toronto (14) edging Cruz Azul (3) by a 2-1 scoreline and FAS (85) battling to a scoreless stalemate against Toluca (16), which remains winless through four league and one CCL match (0-2-3 W-L-D) with only four goals scored. The week closed with another upset as Seattle (24) fell 2-1 on the road to Marathon (45) on a controversial penalty kick call.

Saturday and Sunday are the busy fixture dates this week as MLS is off Friday evening, USSF-D2 has only one match and there are only three others in Mexico and Panama.

CCL Results – Home/Away (TSB ranking)

Tuesday: (14) Toronto FC 2-1 Cruz Azul (3)… (28) Puerto Rico Islanders 1-1 Olimpia (25)… (2) Monterrey 2-1 Saprissa (69) – Wednesday: (17) Columbus Crew 1-0 Municipal (56)… (46) Joe Public 2-5 Santos Laguna (1)… (6) Real Salt Lake 2-1 Arabe Unido (54)… (85) FAS 0-0 Toluca (16) – Thursday: (45) Marathon 2-1 Seattle Sounders (24)

League Results – Home/Away (TSB ranking)

Wednesday: (26) Chicago Fire 2-1 New England Revolution (30)… (91) Crystal Palace Baltimore 0-2 Rochester Rhinos (48)… (59) Carolina RailHawks 2-1 Miami FC Blues (95) – Thursday: (82) Tampa Bay Rowdies 1-1 Vancouver Whitecaps (34)

COMING UP...

Friday, August 20

USSF Division-2: Puerto Rico Islanders (28) @ AC St Louis (84)

Mexico: San Luis (21) @ Estudiantes Tecos (38)

Panama: Atletico Veraguense (99) @ Chorrillo (76)… Atletico Chiriqui (NR) @ Tauro (40)

Saturday, August 21

Major League Soccer: New York Red Bulls (10) @ Toronto FC (14)… Los Angeles Galaxy (8) @ San Jose Earthquakes (27)… Colorado Rapids (19) @ Columbus Crew (17)… Chivas USA (31) @ FC Dallas (4)… New England Revolution (30) @ Kansas City Wizards (47)… Chicago Fire (26) @ Houston Dynamo (37)

USSF Division-2: Montreal Impact (60) @ Crystal Palace Baltimore (91)… Miami FC Blues (95) @ Rochester Rhinos (48)… Portland Timbers (49) @ NSC Minnesota Stars (96)

USL-2: Semifinal - Pittsburgh Riverhounds (71) @ Richmond Kickers (70)

Mexico: Cruz Azul (3) @ Jaguares (20)… Monterrey (2) @ Pachuca (15)… Santos Laguna (1) @ Tigres (12)… Toluca (16) @ Atlas (33)… Chivas Guadalajara (9) @ Atlante (36)

Costa Rica: Santos de Guapiles (64) @ Barrio Mexico (44)… Deportivo Saprissa (69) @ Herediano (53)

El Salvador: Firpo (61) @ Universidad de El Salvador (100)… Isidro Metapan (41) @ FAS (85)… Alianza (62) @ Aguila (51)

Guatemala: Marquense (42) @ Comunicaciones (43)… Juventud Retalteca (68) @ Xelaju (74)… Municipal (56) @ Xinabajul (63)

Honduras: Platense (39) @ Hispano (93)… Deportes Savio (65) @ Necaxa (52)… Victoria (NR) @ Vida (NR)

Panama: San Francisco (97) @ Alianza (NR)… Arabe Unido (54) @ Plaza Amador (94)

Sunday, August 22

Major League Soccer: Philadelphia Union (35) @ DC United (81)

USSF Division-2: Carolina RailHawks (59) @ Austin Aztex (32)

Mexico: Necaxa (22) @ Morelia (7)… Puebla (5) @ Pumas (11)… America (18) @ Queretaro (23)

Costa Rica: Alajuelense (13) @ Perez Zeledon (NR)… Universidad de Costa Rica (86) @ Puntarenas (79)… Cartagines (92) @ Brujas (55)… San Carlos (57) @ Limon (NR)

El Salvador: Vista Hermosa (75) @ Atletico Balboa (NR)… Once Municipal (NR) @ Atletico Marte (90)

Guatemala: Universidad San Carlos (83) @ Mictlan (72)… Penarol La Mesilla (80) @ Suchitepequez (NR)… Malacateco (73) @ Heredia (67)

Honduras: Motagua (29) @ Marathon (45)… Real Espana (77) @ Olimpia (25)

Panama: Sporting San Miguelito (78) @ Chepo (87)

Pro Rankings: MLS Clubs Rising

2010-08-17T16:32:00.000-04:00

With the Mexican Primera having wrapped up its first month of action, a clear delineation between the elite sides and the rest of the league seems to be developing, allowing a number of Major League Soccer sides to slide up the rankings. With the CONCACAF Champions League kicking off the group stage, 16 clubs could make big swings on the list in the coming weeks.

FC Dallas, with only two losses in 19 outings, reached the fourth spot with a 3-1 win over DC United and Real Salt Lake (11-4-6) is in at number six with league-leading Los Angeles two spots behind them and New York rounding out the Top 10.

The biggest mover in the top quarter of the list, however, was Alajuelense. The Costa Rican side won a battle of unbeaten clubs against Barrio Mexico, which moved up as well given their narrow 2-1 defeat on the road against a perennial power, to reach the 13th spot from 23rd. Fellow Costa Rican side Herediano also made a big move up the list from 67 to 53 with a 3-1-0 record. Previously unranked Santos de Guapiles (2-1-1) entered the list at 64 by stunning powerhouse and Champions League club Saprissa 2-0.

Puerto Rico climbed ahead of Austin with a 2-0 victory over the then league leaders. Other big movers in USSF Division-2 were Tampa Bay, which posted a 1-1 draw in Puerto Rico and 3-3 draw in Miami, and Crystal Palace Baltimore, which pulled themselves off the edge with an upset win over Carolina.

Opening their season late midweek to cap the opening round of Honduran action, Deportes Savio debuted on the list at 65 after a 1-1 road draw against Champions League side Marathon and a 2-1 win against Vida.

Deportes Savio and Santos de Guapiles were among six clubs moving into the top 100, knocking out Perez Zeledon (CRC), Vida (HON), Suchitepequez (GUA), Atletico Balboa (SLV), Real Maryland Monarchs (USL2) and Harrisburg City Islanders (USL2).

CONCACAF Pro Club Power Rankings

(Champions League - Group Stage clubs in yellow)

Rank . [Previous] … Club (League) … League Record W-L-D … Notes

1 . [1] … Santos Laguna (MEX) … 4-0-0 … 1-0 W v Jaguares

2 . [2] … Monterrey (MEX) … 3-0-1 … 5-2 W v Pumas

3 . [4] … Cruz Azul (MEX) … 3-1-0 … 4-1 W v Pachuca

4 . [6] … FC Dallas (MLS) … 8-2-9 … 3-1 W @ DC

5 . [5] … Puebla (MEX) … 2-0-2 … 1-1 D v Atlante

6 . [9] … Real Salt Lake (MLS) … 11-4-6 … 1-1 D @ Philadelphia, 2-0 W v Columbus

7 . [3] … Morelia (MEX) … 2-1-0 … 0-1 L @ San Luis

8 . [12] … Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS) … 13-3-4 … 1-0 W @ New York

9 . [7] … Chivas Guadalajara (MEX) … 1-0-1 … Idle

10 . [10] … New York Red Bulls (MLS) … 9-7-4 … 1-0 W v Toronto, 0-1 L v Los Angeles

11 . [8] … Pumas UNAM (MEX) … 2-2-0 … 2-5 L @ Monterrey

12 . [17] … Tigres UANL (MEX) … 1-1-2 … 1-1 D @ Toluca

13 . [23] … Alajuelense (CRC) … 3-0-1 … 2-1 W v Barrio Mexico

14 . [13] … Toronto FC (MLS) … 7-7-5 … 0-1 L @ New York

15 . [14] … Pachuca (MEX) … 1-2-1 … 1-4 L @ Cruz Azul

16 . [11] … Toluca (MEX) … 0-1-3 … 1-1 D v Tigres

17 . [15] … Columbus Crew (MLS) … 11-5-4 … 0-2 L @ Real Salt Lake

18 . [16] … America (MEX) … 1-1-2 … 1-1 D v Atlas

19 . [18] … Colorado Rapids (MLS) … 7-5-7 … 1-1 D @ Philadelphia

20 . [21] … Jaguares Chiapas (MEX) … 0-2-2 … 0-1 L @ Santos Laguna

21 . [32] … San Luis (MEX) … 1-2-1 … 1-0 W v Morelia

22 . [24] … Necaxa (MEX) … 1-1-2 … 1-1 D v Queretaro

23 . [19] … Queretaro (MEX) … 2-1-1 … 1-1 D @ Necaxa

24 . [20] … Seattle Sounders (MLS) … 8-8-5 … 0-0 D @ Chivas USA

25 . [22] … Olimpia (HON) … 1-0-1 … 1-1 D @ Victoria

26 . [25] … Chicago Fire (MLS) … 5-5-6 … Idle

27 . [26] … San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) … 7-6-5 … 1-0 W v Kansas City

28 . [30] … Puerto Rico Islanders (USSFD2) … 7-7-7 … 1-1 D v Tampa Bay, 2-0 W v Austin

29 . [27] … Motagua (HON) … 0-1-1 … 2-2 D v Hispano

30 . [31] … New England Revolution (MLS) … 6-9-3 … 1-0 W v Houston

31 . [35] … Chivas USA (MLS) … 5-10-4 … 0-0 D v Seattle

32 . [29] … Austin Aztex (USSFD2) … 12-3-5 … 0-2 L @ Puerto Rico

33 . [37] … Atlas (MEX) … 0-3-1 … 1-1 D @ America

34 . [33] … Vancouver Whitecaps (USSFD2) … 9-3-11 … 1-0 W @ Minnesota

35 . [38] … Philadelphia Union (MLS) … 4-10-5 … 1-1 D v Real Salt Lake, 1-1 D v Colorado

36 . [34] … Atlante (MEX) … 0-3-1 … 1-1 D @ Puebla

37 . [28] … Houston Dynamo (MLS) … 5-10-5 … 0-1 L @ New England

38 . [36] … Estudiantes Tecos (MEX) … 0-3-0 … Idle

39 . [39] … Platense (HON) … 1-0-1 … 2-2 D v Marathon

40 . [41] … Tauro (PAN) … 1-0-2 … 2-0 W @ Atletico Veraguense

41 . [42] … Isidro Metapan (SLV) … 2-0-1 … 4-3 W v Atletico Marte

42 . [48] … Marquense (GUA) … 3-1-0 … 1-0 W v Mictlan

43 . [54] … Comunicaciones (GUA) … 2-0-2 … 3-2 W @ Penarol La Mesilla

44 . [58] … Barrio Mexico (CRC) … 3-1-0 … 1-2 L @ Alajuelense

45 . [43] … Marathon (HON) … 0-0-2 … 1-1 D v Deportes Savio, 2-2 D @ Platense

46 . [46] … Joe Public (TRI) … 5-1-4 F …

47 . [40] … Kansas City Wizards (MLS) … 5-9-5 … 0-1 L @ San Jose

48 . [44] … Rochester Rhinos (USSFD2) … 11-5-6 … 2-1 W v Montreal

49 . [50] … Portland Timbers (USSFD2) … 8-7-8 … 2-2 D v Minnesota, 1-0 W @ St Louis

50 . [52] … Charleston Battery (USL2) … 11-4-5 … 3-0 W v Charlotte

51 . [65] … Aguila (SLV) … 2-0-1 … 2-1 W @ Firpo

52 . [55] … Necaxa (HON) … 2-0-0 … 2-1 W @ Real Espana

53 . [67] … Herediano (CRC) … 3-1-0 … 2-1 W @ Limon

54 . [69] … Aribe Unido (PAN) … 2-0-1 … 1-0 W v Chepo

55 . [59] … Brujas (CRC) … 2-2-0 … 2-0 W @ Perez Zeledon

56 . [66] … Municipal (GUA) … 2-1-1 … 3-1 W v Suchitepequez

57 . [73] … San Carlos (CRC) … 2-1-0 … 2-1 W v Puntarenas

58 . [56] … Defence Force (TRI) … 10-0-0 F …

59 . [45] … Carolina RailHawks (USSFD2) … 7-6-7 … 1-2 L @ Baltimore

60 . [51] … Montreal Impact (USSFD2) … 6-10-7 … 1-2 L @ Rochester

61 . [47] … Firpo (SLV) … 1-1-1 … 1-2 L v Aguila

62 . [83] … Alianza (SLV) … 1-0-2 … 4-0 W v FAS

63 . [86] … Xinabajul (GUA) … 2-2-0 … 2-1 W @ Juventud Retalteca

64 . [NR] … Santos de Guapiles (CRC) … 2-1-1 … 2-0 W v Saprissa

65 . [NR] … Deportes Savio (HON) … 1-0-1 … 1-1 D @ Marathon, 2-1 W v Vida

66 . [61] … San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) … 4-3-3 F …

67 . [85] … Heredia (GUA) … 2-1-1 … 2-1 W v Universidad San Carlos

68 . [57] … Juventud Retalteca (GUA) … 2-1-1 … 1-2 L v Xinabajul

69 . [62] … Deportivo Saprissa (CRC) … 1-2-1 … 0-2 L @ Santos de Guapiles

70 . [63] … Richmond Kickers (USL2) … 9-5-6 … 1-1 D v Real Maryland

71 . [64] … Pittsburgh Riverhounds (USL2) … 7-5-8 … 1-1 D @ Harrisburg

72 . [68] … Mictlan (GUA) … 2-1-1 … 0-1 L @ Marquense

73 . [78] … Malacateco (GUA) … 2-2-0 … 1-0 W v Xelaju

74 . [53] … Xelaju (GUA) … 2-2-0 … 0-1 L @ Malacateco

75 . [87] … Vista Hermosa (SLV) … 1-1-1 … 1-0 W v Universidad de El Salvador

76 . [91] … Chorrillo (PAN) … 1-1-1 … 1-0 W @ Sporting San Miguelito

77 . [71] … Real Espana (HON) … 1-1-0 … 1-2 L v Necaxa

78 . [74] … Sporting San Miguelito (PAN) … 1-1-1 … 0-1 L v Chorrillo

79 . [60] … Puntarenas (CRC) … 1-3-0 … 1-2 L @ San Carlos

80 . [75] … Penarol La Mesilla (GUA) … 0-3-1 … 2-3 L v Cominicaciones

81 . [79] … DC United (MLS) … 3-13-3 … 1-3 L v Dallas

82 . [95] … Tampa Bay Rowdies (USSFD2) … 6-8-8 … 1-1 D @ Puerto Rico, 3-3 D @ Miami

83 . [76] … Universidad San Carlos (GUA) … 1-3-0 … 1-2 L @ Heredia

84 . [77] … AC St Louis (USSFD2) … 5-11-6 … 0-1 L v Portland

85 . [49] … FAS (SLV) … 0-2-1 … 0-4 L @ Alianza

86 . [NR] … Universidad de Costa Rica (CRC) … 1-3-0 … 3-0 W v Cartagines

87 . [80] … Chepo (PAN) … 1-1-1 … 0-1 L @ Arabe Unido

88 . [81] … W Connection (TRI) … 5-3-2 F …

89 . [82] … Ma Pau (TRI) … 4-1-5 F …

90 . [NR] … Atletico Marte (SLV) … 1-1-1 … 3-4 L @ Isidro Metapan

91 . [96] … Crystal Palace Baltimore (USSFD2) … 6-10-6 … 2-1 W v Carolina

92 . [72] … Cartagines (CRC) … 1-2-0 … 0-3 L @ Universidad de Costa Rica

93 . [NR] … Hispano (HON) … 0-1-1 … 2-2 D v Motagua

94 . [NR] … Plaza Amador (PAN) … 1-1-1 … 2-2 D @ San Francisco

95 . [84] … Miami FC Blues (USSFD2) … 3-11-8 … 3-3 D v Tampa Bay

96 . [94] … NSC Minnesota (USSFD2) … 7-10-7 … 2-2 D @ Portland, 0-1 L v Vancouver

97 . [90] … San Francisco (PAN) … 0-1-2 … 2-2 D v Plaza Amador

98 . [70] … Charlotte Eagles (USL2) … 5-8-7 … 0-3 L @ Charleston

99 . [88] … Atletico Veraguense (PAN) … 1-2-0 … 0-2 L v Tauro

100 . [89] … Universidad de El Salvador (SLV) … 1-2-0 … 0-1 L @ Vista Hermosa