Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Copa Libertadores: Tigre Capture Series Opener; Goose Eggs In Tijuana

The Round of 16 in the Copa Libertadores continued with two games on Tuesday.

At Victoria, Argentina:

Matias Perez Garcia scored the winning goal in the 64th minute as Tigre held off visiting Club Olimpia 2-1 in the opening match of their two-game series.

At Tijuana, Mexico:

Palmeiras held home-standing Club Tijuana to a 0-0 stalemate in the opening game of their two-match series.

Copa Libertadores: Velez Sarsfield, Real Garcilaso Grab Series-Opening Wins

The knockout stage of the Copa Libertadores actually got started last week with one game played each on Wednesday and Thursday.

At Rosario, Argentina:

Agustin Allione scored the only goal of the match in the 63rd minute as Velez Sarsfield took the opening game of their two-match series with Newell's Old Boys 1-0 on the road.

At Cusco, Peru:

In the lone contest from last Thursday, Rolando Bogado scored the lone goal of the match in the 80th minute as Real Garcilaso blanked Uruguay's Club Nacional 1-0 at home in the opening game of their two-match series.

UEFA Champions League: Despite 2-0 Road Setback To Galacticos, Dortmund Advance To Final

At Madrid:

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts (Reuters)

Despite being blanked on the road Tuesday 2-0 by Real Madrid (goals from Karim Benzima and Sergio Ramos in the 82nd and 88th minutes, respectively), Borussia Dortmund won their two-game UEFA Champions League semifinal series with the nine-time European champions 4-3 on aggregate and will play in their first Champions League  final since defeating Juventus 3-1 at Munich back in 1997.  Here, we see a frustrated Cristiano Ronaldo reacting as Los Galacticos saw their dream of a tenth European club championship go down the drain.

Reuters photo

AFC Champions League: Al-Ain't Gonna Make It To The Knockout Stage; Ditto Pohang Steelers; Beijing Guoan, Central Coast Mariners Advance To Round Of 16

The final week of group-stage play in the AFC Champions League commenced on Tuesday with eight games.

Group C:

At Fuladshahr, Iran:

Amin Jahan Alian (11'), Mohammad Gholami (48'), and Mohammad Khalabari (55') each scored a goal as Sepahan defeated visiting Al-Gharafa 3-1.

At Buraiduh, Saudi Arabia:

Waleed Bakshwin (PK-7') and Taisir Al-Jassim (77') each scored a goal as Al-Ahli, who already locked up a berth in the knockout stage, salvaged a 1-1 home draw with Al-Nasr.  Leo Lima (PK-23') and Rashid Malullah (54') each scored a goal for the visitors, who picked up their first and last point of this tournament.

FINAL GROUP C STANDINGS:

1. Al-Ahli (GP: 6; GD: +8; PTS: 14)
2. Al-Gharafa (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 10)
3. Sepahan (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 9)
4. Al-Nasr (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 1)

Al-Ahli and Al-Gharafa advanced to the knockout stage.

Group D:

At Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates:

Javad Nekounam scored the only goal of the match with his successul penalty kick in the 80th minute as Esteghlal locked up top spot in Group F after having defeated Al-Ain 1-0 on the road, eliminating the club from the Emirates from the tournament.

At  Al Rayyan, Qatar:

Nawaf Al Abed (78') and Saad Al-Harthi (83') each delivered a second-half goal five minutes apart as Al-Hilal, now bound for the knockout stage, defeated Al-Rayyan 2-0 on the road.

FINAL GROUP D STANDINGS:

1. Esteghlal FC (GP: 6; GD: +6; PTS: 13)
2. Al-Hilal (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 12)
3. Al-Ain (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 6)
4. Al-Rayyan (GP: 6; GD: -7; PTS: 4)

Esteghlal FC and Al-Hilal advanced to the knockout stage.

Group G:

At Hiroshima, Japan:

By holding hosts Sanfrecce Hiroshima to a 0-0 stalemate, along with the inability on the part of Pohang Steeler to defeat FC Bunyodkor at home, Beijing Guoan advanced to the knockout stage.

At Pohang, South Korea:

Oleksankr Pyschur scored in the 79th minute as FC Bunyodkor gained a 1-1 road draw with the Pohang Steelers.  Park Sung-Ho scored in second-half stoppage time (90'+3) for the hosts, who were still eliminated from the tournament.

FINAL GROUP G STANDINGS:

1. FC Bunyodkor (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2. Beijing Guoan (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
3. Pohang Steelers (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 7)
4. Sanfrecce Hiroshima (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 3)

FC Bunyodkor and Beijing Guoan advanced to the knockout stage.

Group H:

At Gosford, New South Wales, Australia:

Despite being dominated 3-0 at home by Kashiwa Reysol, the Central Coast Mariner will join their Japanese guests in the knockout stage.  Masato Kudo (59'), Cleo (79'), and Leandro Domingues (85') each tallied once for the visitors.

At Guiyang, China:

Lee Jong-Min (35') and Kwon Ghang-Hoon (55') each delivered a goal as Suwon Samsung Bluewings prevented Guizhou Renhe from advancing to the knockout stage by holding the hosts to a 2-2 stalemate.  Sun Jihai (45') and Zhang Chenglin (86') each scored once for the Chinese Club.

FINAL GROUP H STANDINGS:

1. Kashiwa Reysol (GP: 6; GD: +10; PTS: 14)
2. Central Coast Mariners (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 7)
3. Ghizhou Renhe (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
4. Suwon Samsung Bluewings (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 4)

Kashiwa Reysol and the Central Coast Mariners advanced to the knockout stage.





Monday, April 29, 2013

Second MLS Club For New York City Area

And it could well be owned by the owner of Manchester City.

And it could be named New York City FC.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

MLS: Rapids Hold Hosts Dynamo To 1-1 Draw

At Houston:

In the lone Sunday Major League Soccer contest, Giles Barnes delivered the equalizer at 66 minutes as the Houston Dynamo, who finished the game with ten men, salvaged a 1-1 home draw with the Colorado Rapids.  Drew Moor scored the Rapids' goal during first-half stoppage time (45'+2).



MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1. Montreal (GP: 7; GF: 9; GD: +4; PTS: 16)
2. New York (GP: 10; GF: 15; GD: +2; PTS: 14)
3. Houston (GP: 8; GF: 12; GD: +3; PTS: 14)
4. Kansas City (GP: 9; GF: 10; GD: +2; PTS: 14)
5. Columbus (GP: 8; GF: 12; GD: +5; PTS: 12)
6. Philadelphia (GP: 8; GF: 10; GD: -1; PTS: 11)
7. New England (GP: 7; GF: 4; GD: -2; PTS: 8)
8. Chicago (GP: 8; GF: 6; PTS: -8; PTS: 7)
9. Toronto FC (GP: 8; GF: 10; GD: -2; PTS: 7)
10. DC United (GP: 8; GF: 4; GD: -9; PTS: 4)

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1. FC Dallas (GP: 9; GF: 15; GD: +6; PTS: 20)
2. Los Angeles (GP: 7; GF: 12; GD; +8; PTS: 14)
3. Portland (GP: 8; GF: 14; GD: +3; PTS: 13)
4. Chivas USA (GP: 8; GF: 12; GD: +1; PTS: 11)
5. Real Salt Lake (GP: 9; GF: 7; GD: -2; PTS: 11)
6. San Jose (GP: 9; GF: 8; GD: -3; PTS: 10)
7. Vancouver (GP: 8; GF: 9; GD: -2; PTS: 9)
8. Colorado (GP: 9; GF: 7; GD: -2; PTS: 9)
9. Seattle (GP: 6; GF: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 5)

English Conference National Promotion Playoffs: Newport County, Wrexham Advance To Final

The semifinal round of England's Conference National promotion playoffs concluded with two games played on Sunday.

At Kidderminster, England:

Brett Ormerod (30'), Lee Vaughan (OG-69'), and Neil Ashton (PK-85') each scored a goal as Wrexham defeated Kidderminster Harriers 3-1 on the road in game two and won their two-match series 5-2 on aggregate.

At Newport, Wales:

Christian Jolley scored the lone goal of the match in the 31st minute as Newport County racked up a second straight 1-0 victory over Grimsby Town, this time at home, and eliminated the Mariners 2-0 on aggregate.

In an all-Welsh affair, Wrexham will take on Newport County next Sunday at Wrembley Stadium in London in the promotion final, with the winner joining regular-season champs Mansfield Town in gaining promotion to the Football League in general, League Two in particular.

OFC Champions League: Road Draw In Tahiti Sends Auckland City To Semifinal Round

Two games were played in Group B over the weekend as group-stage play in the OFC Champions League came to a close.

At Pirae, Tahiti:

Manel Exposito's equalizer in the 39th minute on Saturday carried Auckland City to a 1-1 road draw with AS Dragon and a berth in the semifinal round as the hosts were eliminated.

At Noumea, New Caledonia:

Chris Palmer scored twice (1', PK-53') while Ryan De Vries delivered the game winner in the 78th minute as Waitakere United claimed the Group B title with a 3-2 road win over AS Mont-Dore.

FINAL GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. Waitakere United (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 13)
2. Auckland City (GP: 6; GD: +11; PTS: 10)
3. AS Dragon (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 9)
4. AS Mont-Dore (GP: 6; GD: -18; PTS: 1)

Semifinal match-ups:

Auckland City will host Ba FC in the opening match of their two-game series next Saturday with the return contest to take place at Ba, Fiji on May 11.

Waitakere United will travel to Port Vila, Vanuatu for the opening match of their semifinal series with Amicale FC this coming Saturday, with the return match to take place in Auckland, New Zealand the following Saturday.

The semifinal winners will meet in a one-match final to take place at Auckland, New Zealand on May 19.  The winner of that game will play in this coming December's FIFA World Cup, which is slated to take place in Morocco.

As An Old Philosopher Once Said..........

When you lie down with pigs, you wake up smelling like garbage.

That's what both clubs looked like as both clinched relegation following a snoozy 0-0 draw on Sunday.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

MLS: Red Bulls, Impact, Crew, Revs, Timbers, Galaxy Rack Up Saturday Wins

Eight games populated the Saturday Major League Soccer schedule.

At Toronto:

Tim Cahill scored twice (39', 89') as the New York Red Bulls defeated Toronto FC 2-1 on the road.

At Montreal:

Daniel Romero (57') and Marco Di Vaio (76') each scored a goal as the Montreal Impact blanked the visiting ten-man Chicago Fire 2-0.

At Vancouver, British Columbia:

Kekuta Manneh (72') and Camilo Sanvezzo (75') each provided a goal three minutes apart in the second half as the Vancouver Whitecaps came back from a two-goal deficit and salvaged a 2-2 home draw with FC Dallas.  Andrew O'Brien (OG-9') and Matt Hedges (47') provided the scoring for the Hoops.

At Columbus, Ohio:

Dominic Oduro (15'), Joshua Williams (26'), and Federico Higuain (PK-45'+2) each scored a goal in the first half as the Columbus Crew whitewashed visiting DC United 3-0, sending the visitors to their fifth consecutive defeat.

At Foxborough, Massachusetts:

Diego Fagundez (61') and Lee Nguyen (71') provided the scoring punch that lifted the New England Revolution to a 2-0 home win over the Philadelphia Union.

At Kansas City, Kansas:

Rodney Wallace provided the winning goal in the 58th minute as the Portland Timbers stretched their unbeaten streak to six games with a rare road victory (their fourth in 38 such contests), 3-2 over Sporting Kansas City.

At Sandy, Utah:

Mike Magee (6') and Charlie Rugg (13') provided the goals in the first quarter-hour as the Los Angeles Galaxy blanked home-standing Real Salt Lake 2-0.

At Carson, California:

Chris Wondolowski (40') and Cordell Cato (76') each delivered a goal as the San Jose Earthquakes gained a 2-2 road draw with Chivas USA.  Mario de Luna (47') and Tristan Bowen (51') provided the scoring for the Goats.

English Conference National Promotion Playoffs: Wrexham, newport County Take Series Openers

The playoffs for promotion from England's Conference National up to League Two of the Football League (to join regular-season winners Mansfield Town) commenced this past week with one game played each on Tuesday and Wednesday.

At Wrexam, Wales:

Neil Ashton's penalty kick in the 85th minute proved to be the game winner as Wrexam took the opening contest of their two-game series with Kidderminster Harriers 2-1 on Tuesday.

At Cleethorpes, England:

Ismail Yakubu scored the only goal in the 89th minute as Newport County knocked off Grimsby Town in the opening game of their two-match series, 1-0 on the road on Wednesday.

OFC Champions League: Ba FC Top Amicale To Win Group A

Two games were played on Saturday as action in Group A of the OFC Champions League came to a conclusion.

At Ba, Fiji:

Sanni Issa (PK-60') and Abbu Shaheed (83') provided the scoring as Ba FC blanked visiting Amicale 2-0 to clinch top spot in Group A.  Both clubs had already clinched berths in the semfinal round, which starts next Saturday.

At Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea:

Raymond Gunemba (17') and Nigel Dabingyaba (27') each scored a goal in the first half as PRK Hekari United held off the visiting Solomon Warriors 2-1 in the tournament finale for both clubs.

FINAL GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. Ba FC (GP: 6; GD: +12; PTS: 16)
2. Amicale FC (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
3. Solomon Warriors (GP: 6; GD: -8; PTS: 4)
4. PRK Hekari United (GP: 6; GD: -7; PTS: 4)

Ba FC and Amicale FC advanced to the semifinal round.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Europa League Semifinals: Late Goal Delivers Series-Opening Road Win For Chelsea; Yellow Canaries Top Eagles At Home In Game One

The semifinal round of the Europa League got underway on Thursday with two games.

At Basel, Switzerland:

David Luiz, on a free kick, scored the winning goal on the final kick of the match (90'+4) as Chelsea defeated FC Basel 2-1 on the road in game one of their two-match semifinal series.

At Istanbul, Turkey:

Egeman Korkmaz scored the only goal of the match in the 72nd minute as Fenerbahce defeated visiting SL Benfica 1-0 in the opening contest of their two-game series.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

CONCACAF Champions League Final: Series-Opening Goose Eggs In Torreon

At Torreon, Mexico:

Ten-man (and two-time defending champions) Monterrey held home-standing Santos Laguna to a 0-0 stalemate on Wednesday in the opening match of the two-game CONCACAF Champions League final.  The two clubs will mix it up again next Wednesday night at Monterrey, Mexico.

Amway Canadian Championship: Caps, TFC Take Semifinal Series Openers

The Amway Canadian Championship, the winner of which, would qualify for next season's CONCACAF Champions League, commenced on Wednesday with two games.

At Edmonton:

Tom Heinemann scored the winning goal in the 88th minute as the Vancouver Whitecaps took the opening game of their series with FC Edmonton (NASL) 3-2 on the road.

At Toronto:

Doneil Henry (49') and Andrew Wiedeman (81') each scored once as Toronto FC blanked the visiting Montreal Impact 2-0 in match one of their two-game series.

UEFA Champions League: Dortmund Continue German Domination Of Spanish Clubs (At Least For This Week)

At Dortmund, Germany:

Robert Lewandowski celebrates his fourth goal (AFP)

Robert Lewandowski ran wild as he delivered a quadruple (8', 50', 55', PK-67', that's him celebrating after scoring that last goal) as Borussia Dortmund dominted visiting Real Madrid 4-1 in Wednesday UEFA Champions League semifinal series opener.

AFP photo

AFC Champions League

Eight games were played in the AFC Champions League's group stage on Wednesday.

Group A:

At Al Rayyan, Qatar:

With Wagner Ribeiro providing all the scoring (3', 82', 90'+3), El Jaish clinched a berth in the knockout stage with a 3-0 home domination of Al-Shabab.

At Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:

Al-Jazira blanked visiting Tractor Sazi 2-0, but were still eliminated from the tournament due to El Jarish's home win over Al-Shabab.  Ricardo Oliveira (7') and Subait Khater (90'+2) each tallied once for the hosts.

GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. x-Al-Shabab (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 10)
2. x-El Jaish (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 8)
3. z-Al-Jazira (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 5)
4. z-Tractor Sazi (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 4)



Group B:

At Dubai, United Arab Emirates:

Essa Obaid (46'), Jociel Ferreira da Silva (a.k.a. Ciel; 76'), and Edgar Silva (90'+3) each provided a goal as Al-Shabab Al-Arabi downed visiting Lekhwiya 3-1.

At Dammam, Saudi Arabia:

Yahya Al Shehri (24') and Jamaan Al Jamaan (41') each scored once as Al-Ettifaq blanked visiting Pakhtakor Tashkent 2-0.

GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. Lekhwiya (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 8)
2. Al-Ettifaq (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
3. Pakhtakor Tashkent (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 7)
4. Al-Shabab Al-Arabi (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 6)



Group E:

Buriram, Thailand:

Takayuki Nakahara's stoppage-time equalizer (90'+2) enabled Vegalta Sendai to gain a 1-1 road draw with Buriram United.  Osmar Ibanez scored for the hosts in the 52nd minute.

At Nanjing, China:

Koh Myong-Jin (32') and Yun Il-Lok (72') provided the scoring as FC Seoul clinched the Group E title with a 2-0 road win over Jiangsu Sainty.

GROUP E STANDINGS:

1. y-FC Seoul (GP: 5; GD: +6; PTS: 10)
2.    Vegalta Sendai (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
3.    Buriram United (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
4.    Jiangsu Sainty (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 4)



Group F:

At Jeonju, South Korea:

Lee Dong-Gook (PK-57') and Park Hee-Do (58') each scored a second-half goal a minute apart as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors remained in second place in Group F with a 2-0 home win over Muangthong United.

At Saitama, Japan:

Shinzo Koroki (51'), Yuki Abe (63'), and Marcio Richardes (64') each delivered a second-half goal as Urawa Red Diamonds kept their knockout-stage hopes alive with a 3-2 home win over Round-of-16-bound Guangzhou Evergrande.

GROUP F STANDINGS:

1. x-Guangzhou Evergrande (GP: 5; GD: +9; PTS: 10)
2.    Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 9)
3.    Urawa Red Diamonds (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 7)
4. z-Muangthong United (GP: 5; GD: -12; PTS: 1)

x-Advanced to the knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament

OFC Champions League: Dragon Held At Home To Previously Pointless Mont-Dore; Blow Chance To Take Over Second Place In Group B Ahead Of Big Match With Auckland City

At Pirae, Tahiti:

Dan Vakie's equalizer in the 73rd minute gained visiting AS Mont-Dore their first point of Group B action in the lone Wednesday OFC Champions League contest as the club from New Caledonia gained a 1-1 road draw with AS Dragon (Nicolas Vallar scoring in the 35th minute).  The draw cost the hosts two big points and the opportunity to move into second place in the Group B standings in front of their group-stage finale this coming Saturday at home against Auckland City, with the winner advancing to the semifinal round.

GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. x-Waitakere United (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 10)
2.    Auckland City (GP: 5; GD: +11; PTS: 9)
3.    AS Dragon (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 8)
4. z-AS Mont-Dore (GP: 5; GD: -17; PTS: 1)

x-Advanced to the knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

UEFA Champions League: Bayern Smash Barca In Semfinal Series Opener

At Munich, Germany:

Thomas Mueller celebrates scoring for Bayern Munich against Barcelona (AFP)

Thomas Muller scored twice (25', 82', that's him celebrating) as Bayern Munich found themselves 90 minutes away from their third appearance in the UEFA Champions League final in four years following their 4-0 semifinal series-opening home demolition of Barcelona.

AFP photo

MARINERS FOIL UPSTART WANDERERS BID FOR CROWN

At Sydney, Australia:

Patrick Zwaanswijk (44') and Daniel McBreen (PK-68') each delivered a goal this past Sunday as the Central Coast Mariners knocked off the Western Sydney Wanderers 2-0 to win the Hyundai A-League's Grand Final.

A-League grand final

Shown here are the happy Mariners celebrating with the A-League trophy after besting the gallant newcomers.

Photo from The Australian

Congrats To Red Devils: Rockin' Robin's First-Half Hat Trick Delivers 20th Top-Flight Crown To Manchester United

At Manchester, England:

Robin Van Persie delivered a natural first-half hat trick (2', 13, 33') as Manchester United clinched the English Premier League crown on Monday, 3-0 at home over relegation-threatened Aston Villa.

The title marks the 20th in the English top flight for the Red Devils.

AFC Champions League

Eight games were played on Tuesday as the next-to-last match day of AFC Champions League group-stage action commenced.

Group C:

At Doha, Qatar:

Amad Al Hosni (31') and Jairo Palomino (68') each delivered a goal as Al-Ahli gained a 2-2 road draw with Al-Gharafa.  Alex Raphael Meschini (24') and Djibril Cisse (PK-54') each delivered a goal for the hosts who will join their guests from Saudi Arabia in the knockout stage.

At Dubai, United Arab Emirates:

Mohammad Gholami scored the winning goal in the 79th minute as Sepahan defeated Al-Nasr 2-1 on the road.

GROUP C STANDINGS:

1. y-Al-Ahli (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 13)
2. x-Al-Gharafa (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 10)
3. z-Sepahan Isfahan FC (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 6)
4. z-Al-Nasr (GP: 5; GD: -9; PTS: 0)

y-Won Group C and advanced to the knockout stage

x-Advanced to the knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament



Group D:

At Tehran, Iran:

Farhad Majidi (45'), Hashem Beikzadeh (73'), and Arash Borhani (90'+1) each delivered a goal as Esteghlal dominated visiting Al-Rayyan 3-0 to clinch a berth in the knockout stage while eliminating their guests in the process.

At Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

Salem Al-Dossari (4') and Wesley Lopes da Silva (24') provided the scoring as Al-Hilal blanked visiting Al-Ain 2-0.

GROUP D STANDINGS:

1. x-Esteghlal FC (GP: 5; GD: +5; PTS: 10)
2.     Al-Hilal (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 9) 
3.     Al-Ain (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 6)
4. z-Al-Rayyan (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 4)

x-Advanced to the knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament



Group G:

At Beijing, China:

Joffre Guerron (47') and Shao Jiayi (87') each scored once as Beijing Guoan blanked the visiting Pohang Steelers 2-0.

At Tashkent, Uzbekistan:

Already-eliminated Sanfrecce Hiroshima prevented hosts FC Bunyodkor from locking up a berth in the knockout stage by holding group leaders to a 0-0 stalemate.

GROUP G STANDINGS:

1. FC Bunyodkor (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
2. Beijing Guoan (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
3. Pohang Steelers (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
4. z-Sanfrecce Hiroshima (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 2)

z-Eliminated from tournament



Group H:

At Kashiwa, Japan

Li Kai scored the equalizer in the 85th minute as Guizhou Renhe gained a 1-1 road draw with Kashiwa Reysol.  Tatsuya Masushima scored for the knockout stage-bound hosts in the 51st minute.

At Suwon, South Korea:

Michael McGlinchey scored the only goal of the match in the 80th minute as the Central Coast Mariners defeated Suwon Samsung Bluewings 1-0 on the road and eliminated the hosts from the tournament.

GROUP H STANDINGS:

1. y-Kashiwa Reysol (GP: 5; GD: +7; PTS: 11)
2.    Central Coast Mariners (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 7)
3.    Guizhou Renhe (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 5)
4. z-Suwon Samsung Bluewings (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 3)

y-Won Group H and advanced to the knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament

Sunday, April 21, 2013

MLS: Jack McInerney Powers Philly Past DCU; Quakes Foil Timbers Bid For Rare Road Win

Two games were played in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

At Washington:

Jack McInerney scored twice (7', 26') and assisted on Conor Casey's tally in the 11th minute as the Philadelphia Union held off DC United 3-2 on the road.

At Santa Clara, California:

Adam Jahn's stoppage-time equalizer (90'+2) enabled the San Jose Earthquakes to salvage a 1-1 home draw with the Portland Timbers, whose goal came in the 58th minute by Diego Valeri.

MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1. Kansas City (GP: 8; GF: 8; GD: +3; PTS: 14)
2. Houston (GP: 7; GF: 11; GD: +3; PTS: 13)
3. Montreal (GP: 6; GF: 7; GD: +2; PTS: 13)
4. New York (GP: 9; GF: 13; GD: +1; PTS: 11)
5. Philadelphia (GP: 7; GF: 10; GD: 0; PTS: 11)
6. Columbus (GP: 7; GF: 9; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
7. Toronto FC (GP: 7; GF: 9; GD:-1; PTS: 7)
8. Chicago (GP: 7; GF: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 7)
9. New England (GP: 6; GF: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 5)
10. DC United (GP: 7; GF: 4; GD: -6; PTS: 4)

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1. FC Dallas (GP: 8; GF: 13; GD: +6; PTS: 19)
2. Los Angeles (GP: 6; GF: 10; GD: +6; PTS: 11)
3. Real Salt Lake (GP: 8; GF: 7; GD: 0; PTS: 11)
4. Portland (GP: 7; GF: 11; GD: +2; PTS: 10)
5. Chivas USA (GP: 7; GF: 10; GD: +1; PTS: 10)
6. San Jose (GP: 8; GF: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 9)
7. Vancouver (GP: 7; GF: 7; GD: -2; PTS: 8)
8. Colorado (GP: 8; GF: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 8)
9. Seattle (GP: 6; GF: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 5)


OFC Champions League: Waitakere United Top ACFC In Auckland Derby

Two games were played in the OFC Champions League's group stage on Saturday, with another played on Sunday.

Group A, both played on Saturday:

At Honiara, Solomon Islands:

Gagame Feni (11', 44') and Moffat Kilifa (13', 27') each scored twice in the first half as Solomon Warriors doubled-up PRK Hekari United 4-2.

At Port Vila, Vanuatu:

Successful penalty kicks from Avinesh Suwamy (60') and Josefata Neibuli (67') carried Ba FC to a 2-1 road win over Amicale FC in a battle of clubs that will play in the semifinal round.

GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. x-Ba FC (GP: 5; GD: +10; PTS: 13)
2. x-Amicale FC (GP: 5; GD: +5; PTS: 10)
3. z-Solomon Warriors (GP: 5; GD: -7; PTS: 4)
4. z-PRK Hekari United (GP: 5; GD: -8; PTS: 1)

x-Advanced to semifinal round

z-Eliminated from tournament

Group B:

At Auckland, New Zealand:

In the lone OFC Champions League match played on Sunday, Jake Butler scored the only goal of the match in the 26th minute as Waitakere United defeated local rivals Auckland City 1-0 on the road.

OFC Champions League: Wednesday Roundup; Ba FC, Amicale FC Lock Up Semifinal-Round Berths

Here's a summary of the four games that were played this past Wednesday in the OFC Champions League.

Group A:

At Ba, Fiji:

Sanni Issa delivered a natural hat trick (47', 63', 75') as Ba FC demolished visiting Solomon Warriors 5-0, clinching a berth in the semifinal round in the process.

At Port Vila, Vanuatu:

Joses Nawo (38') and Fenedy Masauvakalo (76') delivered the goals that propelled Amicale FC to a 2-0 home win over PRK Hekari United and a berth in the semifinal round.

GROUP A STANDINGS:

1. x-Ba FC (GP: 4; GD: +9; PTS: 10)
2. x-Amicale (GP: 4; GD: +7; PTS: 10)
3. z-PRK Hekari United (GP: 4; GD: -6; PTS: 1)
4. z-Solomon Warriors (GP: 4; GD: -9; PTS: 1)

x-Clinched berth in semifinal round

z-Eliminated from tournament



Group B:

At Auckland, New Zealand:

Teaonui Tehau (76'), Ivan Vicelich (OG-84'), and Sylvain Graglia (90'+1) provided the scoring as AS Dragon knocked off Auckland City 3-1 on the road.

At Auckland, New Zealand:

Roy Krishna scored twice (49', 55') as Waitakere United defeated visiting AS Mont Dore 3-1.

GROUP B STANDINGS:

1. Auckland City (GP: 4; GD: +12; PTS: 9)
2. Waitakere United (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 7)
3. AS Dragon (GP: 4; GD: +4; PTS: +4; PTS: 7)
4. AS Mont Dore (GP: 4; GD: -17; PTS: 0)

CAF Champions League

Five games were played on Sunday as the second round proper of the CAF Champions League continued.

At Rades, Tunisia:

The opening contest of the two-game series between CA Bizertian and visiting Al-Ahly ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

At Garoua, Cameroon:

Coton Sport found themselves 45 seconds away from the group stage following their series-opening 3-0 home domination of Stade Malien.

At Dolisie, Republic of the Congo:

Guelord Bebey-Ndey (36'), Arouna Drame (45'), and Kalema Ntela (PK-90') each delivered a goal as AC Leopards took their series opener with ES Setif 3-1 at home.

At Enugu, Nigeria:

Recreativo do Libolo held hosts Enugu Rangers to a series-opening 0-0 deadlock.

At Rabat, Morocco:

Kevin Zougoula's equalizer in the 80th minute lifted Sewe Sport to a series-opening 1-1 road draw with FUS Rabat.  Brahim El Bahri scored for the hosts in the 70th minute.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

MLS: Sounders End Victory Drought; Red Bulls, Fire, Hoops, RSL, Galaxy Also Grab Saturday Wins

Seven games were played in Major League Soccer on Saturday.

At Toronto:

Warren Creaville's second-half equalizer (90'+4) lifted the ten-man Houston Dynamo to a 1-1 road draw with Toronto FC.  Jeremy Hall scored for the hosts in the 58th minute.

At Commerce City, Colorado:

Obafemi Martins scored the only goal of the match in the 27th minute as the Seattle Sounders became the last team in the league to pick up a win, 1-0 on the road over the Colorado Rapids.

At Harrison, New Jersey:

Dax McCarty (4'), Fabian Espindola (8'), Thierry Henry (82'), and Jonny Steele (89') each tallied once as the New York Red Bulls dominated the visiting New England Revolution 4-1.

At Bridgeview, Illinois:

Jeff Larentowicz scored the long goal of the match in the 83rd minute as the Chicago Fire downed the visiting Columbus Crew 1-0.

At Frisco, Texas:

Blas Perez scored the insurance goal in the 50th minute as FC Dallas blanked the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0.

At Sandy, Utah:

Javier Morales scored the game's lone goal in the 53rd minute as Real Salt Lake defeated visiting Chivas USA 1-0.

At Carson, California:

Marcelo Sarvas (27') and Landon Donovan (74') each tallied a goal as the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated Sporting Kansas City 2-0 at home.