In the second installment of the CONCACAF Champions' League American clubs are proving far better than they did in the 2008-09 edition. The simplest sign of improvement is the number of teams in the group stages from 3 clubs to 4. (We are counting the Puerto Rico Islanders, since after all Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the United States). This time around only the New York Red Bulls fell in the preliminaries, but in all honesty the terms Red Bulls and Champions League should not be put together. Toronto also lost int e preliminaries, but to the Islanders, so that is one American interest beating another. Even the teams in the group stage are fairing better as none of the clubs are totally being run over, even though some are still accused of sending out JV sides. Still the results of teams in the MLS are far better than what they were a year ago. Now a brief look at the 4 American teams in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Houston Dynamo (1-1-1) 4pts, 3rd in Group A: The Dynamo sit in third in the mostly tightly contested group of the tournament. Houston trails Panchuca by two points, and group leaders Arabe Unido by three points. The Dynamo got off to good start winning at home 1-0 against Isidro Metapan off a 68th minute strike by Brian Ching. Houston followed up that effort by traveling to group leaders Arabe Unido. Dynamo held the lead thanks to Kei Kamara in the 69th, but Arabe punched in a 90th equalizer to bake it a draw. A missed opportunity to for Houston to collect 3 points on the road. Houston traveled to Mexican Giants Pachuca, the Dynamo were out shot 19-5 in the match and lost 2-0. The Dynamo sit in third, but have two remaining home games against the two toughest opponents. Houston could realistically be leading this group right now, but still are contenders for advancing.
DC United (1-2) 3pts, 3rd in Group B: In the first round of matches in Group B Marathon and Toluca proved to be the superior clubs. United did not have a pleasant start to the group, as the Screaming Eagles traveled to Honduras to face Marathon. Luciano Emilio's 48th minute goal did tie the match 1-1. But two late goals by Marathon undid United. Then DC hosted Mexican Primera leaders Toluca. Same ole' story for United, who fell down 1-0 early, but Chris Pontis 47th minute goal pulled it even. Then once again two late goals proved to be fatal as DC dropped their second match 3-1. DC traveled to Trinidad to take on Trinidad Champions Jabloteh. A hand-ball in the box by Jablote proved to be the decider as Christian Gomez nailed the PK in the 14th to give United a 1-0 road win. United is 1-2, but the two losses have been close, and they have 2 more home games left. It will be tough to jump Marathon and Toluca, but it is possible.
Columbus Crew (2-1) 6 pts, 2nd in Group C: Currently Columbus is in the best position among American Teams. The Crew control their own destiny with 6 points. The Crew started the campaign with a 2-0 home win against Puerto Rico. Steven Lenhart's 57th minute strike, Robbie Rodgers 78th minute goal finished off the Islanders. The Crew then traveled to Cruz Azul, in a match that turned into a nightmare. Cruz Azul scored in the 3rd and did not look back, for Columbus losing to Cruz Azul on the road is not embarrassing, 5-0 however.......yeah not good. The Crew traveled to the much feared Sasperissa Stadium to play play the Costa Rican club Sasperissa. Eddie Gaven scored in the 5th to give the Crew the much needed road victory. Columbus is now second in the group and two more home games remaining. Look for the Crew to advance to the knock-out stages of the tournament.
Puerto Rico Islanders (0-1-2) 1 pt. 4th in Group C: Puerto Rico was the Cinderella of the tournament last year is struggling this year. The Islanders dropped the opener to the Crew 2-0. Then the Islanders traveled to Sasperissa and lost 3-1,. Puerto Rico showed some sign of life playing to a high scoring affair with Cruz Azul, the Islanders drew 3-3, taking the lead three times but could not hold on to any of them. With only 1 point through 3 games, the Islanders look like they will not be the darlings of this years CONCACAF Champions League.
Halfway through and the group stage is set for a climatic finish. Some teams are starting to pull ahead, but nobodies future is secured. More games are left to play, and hopefully this years Champions League will prove to be better for the American clubs, as they look to prove who is the elite club in all of CONCACAF.
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