In week two of the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, there were several very good games. Though we still have yet to see a true upset, there were close calls for Tigres, Seattle, America, and Queretaro. Here’s a rundown of the action from this week.
Close Calls for Contenders: CCL Week 2 Recap
August 18:
Tigres 2-1 Metapan
Metapan’s keeper Henry Hernandez would have been man of the match if his team hadn’t collapsed in the final ten minutes. The Salvadoran side have upset Liga MX teams before, and came out playing very organized with two banks of four defending against a relentless Tigres attack. After David Leiva scored on a counter attack in the 5th minute, anything seemed possible. But Jurgen Damm and Jorge Espericueta were inserted in the second half for Tigres and they pushed the team on to come from behind. Hernandez made a big PK save and another enormous save on Tigres 1st goal, but it wasn’t enough to keep out Alonso Zamora’s rebound. Metapan were still ten minutes from a massive result in their toughest group match, but gave up another Zamora goal on a corner kick. They now must regroup quickly. Tigres will also have reflecting to do after a flat performance where they seemed toothless for the first half.
LA 5-0 Comunicaciones
Comunicaciones lined up in a 3-5-2 to try to dominate the midfield but couldn’t forsee a costly goalie mistake in the first ten minutes. Alan Gordon and Gio Dos Santos dominated the match. A 5-0 win ensures that LA has taken maximum advantage of their two easiest matches of the group. Two road games remain but the Galaxy are sitting pretty right now.
Verdes 0-0 Queretaro
This is as close as we got to an upset this round. Queretaro at least kept a clean sheet. A decent crowd in Belize saw their home team offer a good showing against Liga MX opposition. What remains to be seen is if they can do so on the road. Jonathan Bornstein started this game in defense for los Gallos Blancos.
August 19th:
Arabe Unido 0-1 DC
DC got a massive result with a “B” team, shutting out Arabe Unido in Panama. Andrew Dykstra was key for DC, making some huge stops to give the visitors a chance at the result. Arabe will be kicking themselves after missing several golden opportunites in front of net, including an absolute whiff from three yards out late in the second half. The hosts outplayed DC for much of the game even though they seemed comfortable conceding possession to the MLS outfit. DC didn’t play well at all but they managed to grind out a result. Sound familiar? United will be confident as their next two group matches are at home, offering them a chance to pull away from Arabe Unido in the standings.
This game also brought us a classic CONCACAF moment: A ball boy and the referees lifting up another ball boy by hand as he re-attached the net to the crossbar on live TV, just before second half kickoff.
Seattle 2-1 Olimpia
37,000 fans in Seattle saw the game of the round. Group F is beginning to show its potential for high drama and intense competition. Seattle put out a “B” squad due to injuries and fixture congestion, and was almost burned at home. Forward Albert Elis was very good for los Leones in the first half and put the visitors ahead with an early strike. Noel Valladares was outstanding in net for Olimpia all night, thwarting Seattle several times with big stops. Olimpia did their best Metapan impression, as they led 1-0 late in the second half and collapsed to give up the result. With 2 late goals on a long throw and a PK, Seattle managed to eke out the victory, setting up a grudge match in Tegucigalpa next week. After Brad Evans scored the game winner from the spot in extra time, he appeared to taunt Valladares, who kicked the ball at him during the celebration, causing some fisticuffs between the teams. CONCACAF will probably look at the replays and make decisions about punishment this weekend.
America 1-0 Walter Ferreti
America had the majority of the chances but was expected to win by much more than one goal. Michael Arroyo scored early in the second half and the defending champions made it count. Walter Ferreti couldn’t hang on for the draw in their first game of the tournament but will be encouraged by a spirited performance in Estadio Azteca.
August 20th:
Saprissa 4-0 W Connection
W Connection had the toughest schedule over the first two weeks, traveling to Santos and Saprissa. After those two games, they sit last place in their group with a -8 goal differential. The Purple Monster came out strong at home and could have had six or seven goals in this one if not for the heroics of Juliani Archibald in net. The W Connection keeper saved a penalty kick but couldn’t stop his team’s constant defensive breakdowns. Saprissa host Santos next Tuesday in what could be the most exciting game of Group A.
Santa Tecla 1-1 Municipal
Jonny Woodly led the line for Municipal with Carlos Ruiz and put the visitors up in the 19th minute after a mistake by former Atlanta Silverbacks keeper Derby Carillo. A mostly even affair almost saw a couple golazos early in the second half, and Giovanni Zavaleta tied the game in the 61st minute off a corner for Santa Tecla. Jaime Alas received his second yellow card for Muni in the 72nd minute, but Santa Tecla couldn’t find the game winner despite numerous chances.
Group stage continues next week, with some massive games coming up. Highlights include both Costa Rican sides hosting Liga MX opposition. Saprissa host Santos on Tuesday, followed by Herediano vs. Tigres on Wednesday. Olimpia also host a rematch against Seattle on Wednesday, and Municipal and Santa Tecla will play again in Guatemala on Tuesday.
