Wednesday, April 29, 2015

NO, CANADA: CLUB AMERCIA ERUPT FOR FOUR SECOND-HALF GOALS, BURY IMPACT TO WIN CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CROWN

At Montreal:

Before the largest crowd to attend a professional soccer match in Canada (61,004 at Olympic Stadium), Dario Benedetto delivered a hat trick (50', 66', 81') as Club America erased a one-goal halftime and series-aggregate deficit and overpowered the Montreal Impact 4-2 on the road in the second game of the CONCACAF Champions League Final on Wednesday and won their record-tying sixth CONCACAF club title 5-3 on aggregate.

The Mexican club will play in December's FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in Japan.

MLS: BWP's PK Keeps Red Bulls Unbeaten

At Harrison, New Jersey:

In the lone Wednesday Major League Soccer contest, Bradley Wright-Phillips' penalty kick in the 30th minute lifted the New York Red Bulls to a 1-1 home draw with the Colorado Rapids.  Gabriel Torres scored for the visitors in the 25th minute.

Copa Libertadores: Tigres Take Series Opener With Club Universitario On Road

At Sucre, Bolivia:

Enrique Esqueda (55') and Damian Alvarez (63') each scored a goal on Tuesday as Tigres defeated Club Universitario 2-1 on the road in the opening contest of a two-match series as the knockout stage----namely the Round of 16----of the Copa Libertadores commenced.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

MLS: Galaxy In Red Bulls Draw In Jersey; Jozy Makes Things Rosy For Reds; Clint Dempsey Leads Sounders Past Timbers In Cascadia Cup Clash

Three games were contested in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

At Harrison, New Jersey:

Felip delivered the equalizer in the 58th minute to carry the New York Red Bulls to a 1-1 home deadlock with the Los Angeles Galaxy.  Bradford Jamieson scored for the Galaxy in the ninth minute.

At Orlando, Florida:

Jozy Altidore provided both goals (50', 83') in Toronto FC's 2-0 road win over Orlando City.

At Seattle:

Clint Dempsey scored the only goal of the match in the 77th minute as the Seattle Sounders defeated the visiting Portland Timbers 1-0 in a Cascadia Cup clash.



MLS STANDINGS:



EASTERN CONFERENCE:

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

NOTES:  With New England and DC United level on points (14) and wins (4), the Revolution have the better goal differential (+3 to DC's +2).  With Toronto FC, New York City FC, and Philadelphia level on points with six, the Reds have more wins (2) than both the Citizens and Union (1 each); NYCFC have the superior goal differential vis-a-viv Philly (-2 to -7).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   Vancouver (GP: 9; GD: +2; PTS: 16)
2.   FC Dallas (GP: 8; GD: 0; PTS: 14)
3.   Seattle (GP: 7; GD: +5; PTS: 13)
4.   Los Angeles (GP: 8; GD: +1; PTS: 12)
5.   Houston (GP: 8; GD: +2; PTS: 10)
6.   Kansas City (GP: 8; GD: -1; PTS: 10)
7.   San Jose (GP: 7; GD: -2; PTS: 9)
8.   Portland (GP: 8; GD: -1; PTS: 9)
9.   Real Salt Lake (GP: 7; GD: -3; PTS: 9)
10. Colorado (GP: 7; GD: 0; PTS: 7)

NOTES:  With Houston and Sporting Kansas City level on points (10) and wins (2), the Dynamo have the superior goal differential (+2 to -1).  With San Jose, Portland, and Real Salt Lake level on points (9), the Earthquakes have more wins (3) than the Timbers and RSL (2 each); Portland has the superior goal differential vis-a-viv RSL (-1 to -3).   

Footbrawl, Serbian Style

As the late Hughes Rudd said, people are no damned good.

AUCKLAND CITY WINS OFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CROWN AFTER PK THRILLER

At Suva, Fiji:

Auckland City (with Joao Moreira scoring in the 14th minute) and Team Wellington (with Ian Hogg equalizing at 79 minutes) battled to a 1-1 regulation draw in Sunday's OFC Champions League final.  After 30 minutes of scoreless overtime, Marko Dordevic, Adam McGeorge, David Browne, and Kim Dae-wook converted their spot kicks as the defending champs----Auckland City, that is-----defeated the club from New Zealand's capital city 4-3 in the penalty-kick shootout and won their 7th OFC club title, their fifth in a row.  Auckland City (that's them celebrating with the Champions League trophy after their victory) will play in December's FIFA Club World Cup, set to be played in Japan.



Last year, Auckland City finished third in the FIFA Club World Cup that took place in Morocco.

OFC photo via Phototek

Saturday, April 25, 2015

US Open Cup: Harpo's FC, Cal FC Advance To First Round Proper

Two games were played in the preliminary round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament on Saturday.

All four clubs that played are in the fifth level of soccer in the United States.

At Commerce City, Colorado:

Dan Campbell (60') and Shane Wheeler (70') each scored a second-half goal as Hapro's FC (the lone entry from the United States Specialty Sports Association; club based in nearby Boulder) blanked the visiting Kansas City Athletics (United States Adult Soccer Association) 2-0.  On May 13, Harpo's will head to Salt Lake City to take on the BYU Cougars from the fourth-division Premier Development League.

At San Francisco:

Jonathan Bravo's successful penalty kick in the 87th minute was the game winner as Cal FC (USASA) knocked off hosts San Francisco City FC (the lone US Club Soccer entry) 2-1 to earn a road trip in Ventura, California for a first-round clash with the Ventura County Fusion of the PDL.

MLS: Crew, Revs, DCU Win; SKC And Dynamo Battle To 4-4 Draw

Four games are on the Saturday Major League Soccer schedule.

At Columbus, Ohio:

Ethan Finlay scored twice (32', 73') as the Columbus Crew dominated the visiting Philadelphia Union 4-1.

At Foxborough, Massachusetts:

Chris Tierney (39'), Juan Agudelo (43'), Charlie Davies (50'), and Scott Caldwell (84') each scored once as the New England Revolution demolished visiting Real Salt Lake 4-0.

At Houston:

Krisztian Nemeth (2'), Dom Dwyer (74'), and Benny Freihaber (PK-80', 90'+5) delivered the goals as Sporting Kansas City overcame a 3-1 deficit and gained a 4-4 road draw with the Houston Dynamo.  Giles Barnes scored twice (11', 46') and Will Bruin (45'+1) and Raul Rodriguez (83') once apiece for the Dynamo.

At Vancouver, British Columbia:

Chris Rolfe scored the winning goal in the 64th minute as DC United came from behind to knock off the hosts Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1.


Friday, April 24, 2015

MLS: Fire Stop NYCFC; Late Goal Gains Home Draw For Rapids Against Hoops

Two games were contested in Major League Soccer on Friday.

At Bridgeview, Illinois:

David Accam scored the only goal of the match in the 20th minute as the Chicago Fire defeated visiting ten-man New York City 1-0.

At Commerce City, Colorado:

Nick LaBrocca's equalizer in the 79th minute lifted the Colorado Rapids to a 1-1 home draw with FC Dallas.  Mauro Diaz scored for the 10-man Hoops in the 31st minute.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Europa League: Sevilla, Dnipro, Fiorentina, Napoli Advance To Semis

The quarterfinal round of the Europa League concluded on Thursday with four games.

At Saint Petersburg, Russia:

Kevin Gameiro scored the series-winning goal in the 85th minute as Sevilla gained a game-two 2-2 road draw with Zenit Saint Petersburg and won the series 4-3 on aggregate.

At Kiev, Ukraine:

In a match played in the Ukrainian capital due to ongoing war conditions in the eastern part of the country, Yevhen Shakhov scored the only goal on both the match and series in the 82nd minute as FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk defeated visiting Club Brugge 1-0 in both game two and on aggregate for the two-match series.

At Florence, Italy:

Mario Gomez (43') and Juan Manuel Vargas (90'+4) produced the goals that carried Fiorentina to a 2-0 game-two home blanking of ten-man Dynamo Kiev and a 3-1 aggregate series victory.

At Naples, Italy:

Jose Callejon (50') and Dries Mertens (65') each scored once as Napoli gained a 2-2 game-two home draw with VfL Wolfsburg and ousted the German club 6-3 on aggregate.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

CONCACAF Champions League Final: Late Equalizer Salvages Series-Opening Home Draw For America While Impact Score Road Goal

At Mexico City:

Oribe Peralta's equalizer in the 89th minute on Wednesday enabled Club America to salvage a 1-1 home draw with the Montreal Impact in the opening match of the CONCACAF Champions League final.  Ignacio Piatti scored what may still prove to be a precious road goal for the Impact in the 16th minute.

The series will conclude next Wednesday night at Montreal's Olympic Stadium at 5:00 PM Pacific Time (Fox Sports 2), with the winner advancing to December's FIFA Club World Cup.

Copa Libertadores: Group-Stage Play Concludes With Defending Champs Detroned And Sao Paulo Rivals In Knockout Stage

Group-stage play in the Copa Libertadores wrapped up on Wednesday with six games.

GROUP ONE:

At Belo Horizonte, Brazil:

Lucas Pratto (18') and Rafael Carioca (79') provided the goal power as Atletico Mineiro blanked visiting Colo-Colo 2-0, locking up a berth in the knockout stage while ending the Chilean club's tournament appearance.

At Bogota, Colombia:

Juan Daniel Roa scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 30th minute as Independiente Santa Fe locked up the Group One title with a 3-1 home win over Club Atlas.

Final Group One Standings:

1. Independiente Santa Fe (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 12)
2. Atletico Mineiro (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 9)
3. Colo-Colo (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 9)
4. Club Atlas (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 6)

Independiente Santa Fe and Atletico Mineiro advanced to the knockout stage.




GROUP TWO:

At Buenos Aires:

Augustin Viana scored the only goal of the match in the 88th minute as Danubio FC, which had lost all of their previous five group-stage contests, eliminated defending champions San Lorenzo from the tournament with a 1-0 road win.

At Sao Paulo, Brazil:

In a battle of Sao Paulo area rivals, Luis Fabiano (31') and Michel Bastos (39') each delivered a goal as Sao Paulo knocked off visiting Corinthians (who had already locked up top spot in Group Two) 2-0 and joined their local rivals in advancing to the knockout stage.

Final Group Two Standings:

1. Corinthians (GP: 6; GD: +6; PTS: 13)
2. Sao Paulo FC (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 12)
3. San Lorenzo (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 7)
4. Danubio FC (GP: 6; GD: -10; PTS: 3)



GROUP FOUR:

At Guayaquil, Ecuador:

Miler Bolanos scored twice (41', 62') as Club Sport Emelec blanked visiting Universidad de Chile 2-0 and locked up a berth in the knockout stage.

At Porto Alegre, Brazil:

Valvidia scored the only goal of the match in the 40th minute as Internacional defeated The Strongest 1-0 at home and clinched to spot in Group Four and eliminated the Bolivian club from the tournament.

Final Group Four Standings:

1. Internacional (GP: 6; GD: +6; PTS: 13)
2. Club Sport Emelec (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 10)
3. The Strongest (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 9)
4. Universidad de Chile (GP: 6; GD: -9; PTS: 3)

Internacional and Club Sport Emelec advanced to the knockout stage.

UEFA Champions League: Juve And Galacticos Advance To Semifinals

Two matches were contested on Wednesday as the UEFA Champions League's quarterfinal round concluded.

At Fontvieille, Monaco:
Juventus edge past Monaco and into semis
A 0-0 game-two road deadlock with AS Monaco was good enough for Juventus as the Italian club won their two-game series 1-0 on aggregate.  Here, we see Juve's Giorgio Chiellini in pursuit of Monaco's Anthony Martial and the ball.

Getty Images photo

At Madrid:
Real Madrid finally crack Atlético resolve
Javier Hernandez (that's him celebrating here) scored the only goal of both the match and series in the 88th minute as Real Madrid defeated visiting Atletico Madrid 1-0 in both game two and on aggregate for their two-match series.

AFP/Getty Images photo

AFC Champions League

Eight more games were played in the group stage of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday.

GROUP A:

At Tashkent, Uzbekistan:

Adrian Mierzejewski scored the only goal of the match in the 33rd minute as Al-Nassr defeated FC Bunyodkor 1-0 on the road.

At Doha, Qatar:

Youssef Msakni (69'), Nam Tae-hee (83'), and Ali Hassan Afif (90'+3) each scored a goal in the final half hour as Lekhwiya dominated visiting Persepolis 3-0.

Group A Standings:

1.    Lekhwiya SC (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 10)
2.    Persepolis FC (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 9)
3.    Al-Nassr (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 8)
4. z-FC Bunyodkor (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 1)

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP B:

At Tehran, Iran:

Vladimir Kozak's equalizer in the 36th minute lifted Pakhtakor Tashkent to a 1-1 road draw with Naft Tehran.  Gholamreza Rezaei scored for the Iranian club in the 25th minute.

At Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

Asamoah Gyan scored the only goal of the match in the 58th minute as Al-Ain defeated Al-Shabab 1-0 on the road and eliminated the hosts from the tournament.

Group B Standings:

1.    Al-Ain (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
2.    Naft Tehran FC (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 8)
3.    Pakhtakor Tashkent (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
4. z-Al-Shabab (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 2)

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP E:

At Kashiwa, Japan:

Kosuke Taketomi scored twice (20', 39') as Kashiwa Reysol raced out to a three-goal lead, then held off visiting Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 3-2 and locked up a berth in the knockout stage.

At Jinan, China:

Yang Xu scored twice (27', 70') as Shandong Luneng Taishan defeated visiting Becamex Bihn Du'o'ng 3-2.

Group E Standings:

1. x-Kashiwa Reysol (GP: 5; GD: +6; PTS: 11)
2.    Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (GP: 5; GD: +5; PTS: 8)
3.    Shandong Luneng Taishan FC (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 7)
4. z-Becamex Bihn Du'o'ng FC (GP: 5; GD: -10; PTS: 1)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP F:

At Seongnam, South Korea:

Nam Joon-jae scored the winning goal in the 38th minute as Seongnam FC defeated visiting Buriram United 2-1 and clinched a knockout-stage berth.

At Guangzhou, China:

Anderson Patric Aguiar Oliveira (14', 45') and Hiroyuki Abe (44', 68') each scored twice as Gamba Osaka buried Guangzhou R&F 5-0 on the road, eliminating the Chinese club from the tournament.

Group F Standings:

1. x-Seongnam FC (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2.    Gamba Osaka (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS:7)
3.    Buriram United (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
4. z-Guangzhou R&F (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 4)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament

NOTE:  Gamba Osaka has a win and a draw in their two contests against Buriram United.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Copa Libertadores

Four games were played on Tuesday as the final week of group-stage action in the Copa Libertadores commenced.

GROUP THREE:

At Belo Horizonte, Brazil:

Willian (37') and Leonardo Renan Simoes de Lacerna (56') delivered the scoring as Cruzeiro defeated visiting Universitario 2-0, enabling them to jump the Bolivian club and win the Group Three title.  Both clubs qualified for the knockout stage.

At Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela:

Zamir Valoyes scored twice (9', 34') as Mineros knocked off visiting Huracan by dominating the Argentinian club 3-0 and knocking the guests out of the tournament.

Final Group Three Standings:

1. Cruzeiro (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 11)
2. Universitario (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 9)
3. Club Atletico Huracan (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 7)
4. Mineros de Guayana (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 4)

Cruzeiro and Universitario advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP SEVEN:

At Medellin, Colombia:

Luis Carlos Ruiz scored twice (50', 52') as Atletico Nacional demolished visiting Club Libertad 4-0 and won Group Seven and a knockout-stage berth and ultimately eliminated the Paraguayan club from the tournament.  

At Guayaquil, Ecuador:

Luciano Acosta (78') and Guido Carrillo (83') produced the scoring as Estudiantes locked up a berth in the knockout stage with their 2-0 road win over Barcelona Sporting Club.

Final Group Seven Standings:

1. Atletico Nacional (GP: 6; GD: +5; PTS: 11)
2. Estudiantes La Plata (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 10)
3. Club Libertado (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 8)
4. Barcelona Sporting Club Guayaquil (GP: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 4)

Atletico Nacional and Estudiantes La Plata advanced to the knockout stage.

UEFA Champions League: Barca and Bayern Advance To Semis

The second half of the UEFA Champions League's quarterfinal round commenced on Tuesday with two games.

At Barcelona:
Neymar at the double as Barcelona ease through
Neymar scored both goals (14', 34', that's him celebrating with Daniel Alves after the second score) in Barcelona's 2-0 game-two home win over Paris Saint-Germain as they finished off the French club 5-1 on aggregate.


At Munich:
Brilliant Bayern push Porto aside
Robert Lewandowski scored twice (27', 40', that's him celebrating after his first goal) as Bayern Munich overturned their series-opening 3-1 road defeat by destroying  FC Porto 6-1 at home in game two and won their two-match series 7-4 on aggregate.


AFP/Getty Images photos

AFC Champions League

AFC Champions League group-stage played resumed on Tuesday with eight games.

GROUP C:

At Tashkent, Uzbekistan:

Abdullah Al-Zori scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute as Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabina defeated Lokomotiv Tashkent 2-1 on the road and locked up a berth in the knockout stage.

At Doha, Qatar:

Muriqui scored the only goal of the match in the 43rd minute as Al-Sadd defeated visiting Foolad FC 1-0 and clinched a berth in the knockout stage.

Group C Standings:

1. x-Al-Sadd (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 10)
2. x-Al-Hilal (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 10)
3. z-Lokomotiv Tashkent (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 4)
4. z-Foolad FC (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS; 3)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament

NOTE:  Al-Sadd has one win thus far against Al-Hilal.



GROUP D:

At Tabriz, Iran:

Artur Geworkyan scored twice (59', 71') as Nasaf Qarshi defeated Tractor Sazi 2-1 on the road, eliminating the Iranian club from the tournament.

At Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:

Bruno Cesar scored the winning goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time as Al-Ahli SC from Saudi Arabia came from behind to upend visiting Al-Ahli from the United Arab Emirates 2-1 and clinched top spot in Group D.

Group D Standings:

1.  y-Al-Ahli SC Jeddah (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 11)
2.     Nasaf Qarshi (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
3.     Al-Ahli Dubai FC (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 5)
4.  z-Tractor Sazi FC (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 4)

y-Won Group D and clinched berth in knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP G:

At Saitama, Japan:

Ko Cha-won (74') and Kaio Felipe Goncalves (89') each scored a goal as Suwon Samsung Bluewings came from behind to upend Urawa Red Diamonds 2-1 on the road and locked up a berth in the knockout stage.

At Beijing, China:

Andrija Kaluderovic scored the only goal of the match in the 39th minute as the Brisbane Roar kept their flickering chances of advancing to the knockout stage alive by knocking off Beijing Guoan 1-0 on the road.

Group G Standings:

1. x-Suwon Samsung Bluewings (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2.    Beijing Guoan (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
3.    Brisbane Roar (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 7)
4. z-Urawa Red Diamonds

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP H:

At Sydney, Australia:

Mu Kanazaki scored the winning goal in the first minute of second-half stoppage time as Kashima Antlers knocked off the Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 on the road.

At Seoul, South Korea:

A 0-0 road stalemate with FC Seoul locked up a knockout-stage berth for Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao.

Group H Standings:

1. x-Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 10)
2.    FC Seoul (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
3.    Kashima Antlers (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 6)
4.    Western Sydney Wanderers FC (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 5)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage


OFC Champions League: It's An All-Kiwi Final In Fiji

The semifinal round of the OFC Champions League took place on Tuesday with both games played at National Stadium in Suva, Fiji.

In the opener, Marko Dordevic scored the only goal of the match in the 72nd minute as defending champions Auckland City defeated Gaitcha FCN from New Caledonia 1-0.

In the nightcap, Michael Gwyther scored twice (11', 16') as Team Wellington blanked Ba FC from the host country 2-0.

Auckland City will take on Auckland City in Sunday's one-game all-New Zealand final at Suva's National Stadium with the winner advancing to December's FIFA Club World Cup, likely to take place in Japan.

Sunday, April 19, 2015

MLS: Revs, Timbers Rack Up Sunday Wins

Two games were contested in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

At Chester, Pennsylvania:

Teal Bunbury had a hand in a pair of goals, assisting on Charlie Davies' tally in the 64th minute, then scoring the game winner himself at 76 minutes as the New England Revolution came from behind to knock off the Philadelphia Union 2-1 on the road.

At The Bronx, New York:

Dairon Asprilla scored the only goal of the match in the 79th minute as the Portland Timbers went into Yankee Stadium and notched their first road victory of the season, 1-0 over New York City.



MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   New York Red Bulls (GP: 5; GD: +5; PTS: 11)
2.   DC United (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 11)
3.   New England (GP: 7; GD: -1; PTS: 11)
4.   Columbus (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 8)
5.   Orlando City SC (GP: 7; GD: -2; PTS: 8)
6.   Chicago (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 6)
7.   New York City FC (GP: 7; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
8.   Philadelphia (GP: 8; GD: -4; PTS: 6)
9.   Toronto FC (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 3)
10. Montreal (GP: 4; GD: -4; PTS: 2)

NOTES:  With the New York Red Bulls, DC United, and New England all level on points with 11 and wins with three, the Red Bulls have the advantage on goal differential (+5 compared to +1 for DC and -1 for the Revolution).  With Columbus and Orlando City level on points with 8 and wins with 2, the Crew have the superior goal difference (+3 to the Lions' -2).  With Chicago, New York City, and Philadelphia level on points with 6, the Fire have two wins, compared to one apiece for the Citizens and Union.  NYCFC has the superior goal differential, -1, to Philly's -4.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   Vancouver (GP: 8; GD: +3; PTS: 16)
2.   FC Dallas (GP: 7; GD: 0; PTS: 13)
3.   Los Angeles (GP: 7; GD: +1; PTS: 11)
4.   Seattle (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 10)
5.   San Jose (GP: 7; GD: -2; PTS: 9)
6.   Houston (GP: 7; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
7.   Real Salt Lake (GP: 6; GD: +1; PTS: 9)
8.   Portland (GP: 7; GD: 0; PTS: 9)
9.   Kansas City (GP: 7; GD: -1; PTS: 9)
10. Colorado (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 6)

NOTES: With San Jose, Houston, Real Salt Lake, Portland, and Sporting Kansas City all level on points with 9, the Earthquakes have the first tie-breaker, wins, with three, compared to two for each of the other four teams.  The Dynamo have the advantage on goal differential, +2, compared to +1 for RSL, 0 for the Timbers, and -1 for Sporting KC.

CFU Club Championship

Six games were played in the CFU Club Championship on Sunday as group-stage action concluded.

GROUP ONE:

At Providence, Guyana:

Central FC knocked off host club Alpha United 3-1 to clinch the Group One title and a berth in the semifinal round.

Final Group One Standings:

1. Central FC (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
2. Alpha United FC (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Inter Moengotapoe (GP: 2; GD: -5; PTS: 0)

Central FC won Group One and a berth in the semifinal round.



GROUP TWO:

At Couva, Trinidad and Tobago:

W Connection destroyed SAP FC 7-2 and clinched the Group Two title and a berth in the semifinal round.

Final Group Two Standings:

1. W Connection (GP: 2 GD: +11; PTS: 6)
2. SAP FC (GP: 2; GD: -5; PTS: 1)
3. Guyana Defence Force FC (GP: 2; GD: -6; PTS: 1)



GROUP THREE:

Both games played at Complexe Sportif des Cayes, Les Cayes, Haiti.

In the opener, Montego Bay defeated SV Excelsior 1-0 and won Group Three and a berth in the semifinal round.

In the nightcap, America des Cayes doubled up CS Moulien 2-1.

Final Group Three Standings:

1. Montego Bay United FC (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 9)
2. America des Cayes (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
3. CS Moulien (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. SV Excelsior (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 0)

Montego Bay United won Group Three and a semifinal berth.



GROUP FOUR:

Both games played at Sylvio Cator Stadium, Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

In the opener, Lyford Cay Dragons defeated Helenites SC 1-0.

In the nightcap, hosts Don Bosco FC defeated USR Sainte-Rose 1-0.

Final Group Four Standings:

1. Don Bosco FC (GP: 3; GD: +15; PTS: 9)
2. Lyford Cay Dragons (GP: 3; GD: -9; PTS: 4)
3. USR Sainte-Rose (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 2)
4. Helenites SC (GP: 3; GD: -5; PTS: 1)


Don Bosco won Group Four and advanced to the semifinal round.



The knockout stage will take place at a centralized location yet to be determined.

Match-ups for the semifinal round:

May 22:

Central FC vs. W Connection (both clubs from Trinidad and Tobago, assuring that at least one club from the island nation will play in next season's CONCACAF Champions League)

Montego Bay United (Jamaica) vs. Don Bosco FC (Haiti)

The winners will play in the May 24 final.  Both finalists, as well as the winner of the third-place game between the semifinal losers, will play in the 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League.

CAF Champions League

Six games were contested on Sunday as the second round of the CAF Champions League reached the midway point.

At Algiers:

USM Alger took the opening contest of their two-game series with AS Kaloum 2-1 at home.

At Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo:

Al Hilal from Sudan took the opening match with SM Sanga Balende 1-0 on the road.

At El Eulma, Algeria:

MC El Eulma blanked visiting CS Sfaxien 1-0 in their series opener.

At Dolisie, Republic of the Congo:

AC Leopards took the opening match of their series with Smouha Sporting Club 1-0 at home.

At Tetouan, Morocco:

Moghreb Tetouan took the opening match of their series with Egypt's Al-Ahly 1-0 at home.

At Casablanca, Morocco:

ES Setif gained a series-opening 2-2 draw with Raja Casablanca.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

CAF Champions League: Al-Merrikh Takes Series Opener And TP Mazembe Gains Road Draw In Mali As Second Round Begins

Two games were played on Saturday as the second round of the CAF Champions League commenced.

At Omdurman, Sudan:

Al-Merrikh took the opening game of their series with Esperance ST 1-0 at home.

At Bamako, Mali:

TP Mazembe gained a series-opening 2-2 road draw with Stade Malien.

MLS: Crew, Hoops, Sounders, Caps, Galaxy Nab Saturday Wins; Dynamo Battle Back To Earn Road Draw With DCU

Six Major League Soccer games were on the Saturday schedule.

At Washington:

Ricardo Clark's equalizer in the 65th minute lifted the Houston Dynamo to a 1-1 road draw with DC United.  Chris Rolfe scored for the hosts in the 36th minute.

At Columbus, Ohio:

Federico Higuain (32'), Justin Meram (55') and Kei Kamara (60') each scored a goal as the Columbus Crew dominated visiting Orlando City 3-0.

At Frisco, Texas:

Fabian Castillo scored twice (1', 10') and Blas Perez scored the winning goal in the 27th minute as FC Dallas survived a 206- minute weather delay and a furious comeback attempt by Toronto FC to hold off the visiting Reds 3-2 despite two goals from the visitors' Sebastian Giovinco (83', 89').

At Commerce City, Colorado:

Lamar Neagle scored twice (5', 25') as the Seattle Sounders defeated the Colorado Rapids 3-1 on the road.

At Sandy, Utah:

Darren Mattocks scored the only goal of the match in the 80th minute as the Vancouver Whitecaps defeated nine-man Real Salt Lake 1-0 on the road.

At Carson, California:

Omar Gonzalez scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time as the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated visiting Sporting Kansas City 2-1.

OFC Champions League: Ba, Auckland City, Gaitcha Clinch Semifinal Berths As Group-Stage Play Ends

Group-stage play in the OFC Champions League came to a close on Saturday in Fiji with four games.

GROUP A:

Both games were contested at Govind Park in Ba.

In the opener, Bertrand Kai converted a pair of penalty kicks (45'+2, 79) as Gaitcha FCN laid claim to a berth in the semifinal round for being the second-placed club with the best record following their 8-1 annihilation of Lupe Ole Soaga.

In the finale, Saula Waqa scored twice (15', 55') as Ba FC won Group A and a semifinal-round berth with a 2-0 blanking of AS Pirae.

Final Group A Standings:

1. Ba FC (GP: 3; GD: +7; PTS: 9)
2. Gaitcha FCN (GP: 3; GD: +7; PTS: 6)
3. AS Pirae (GP: 3; GD: -5; PTS: 1)
4. Lupe Ole Soaga (GP: 3; GD: -9; PTS: 1)

Ba FC, as Group A winners, and Gaitcha FCN, as the second-place club with the best record, advanced to the semifinal round.



GROUP B:

Both games were played at National Stadium in Suva.

In the opener, Abdulwali Aman scored the winning goal in the 42nd minute as Suva FC defeated Western United 3-1 as tournament play ended for both clubs.

In the nightcap, Joao Moreira delivered a natural hat trick (3', 56', 64') as defending champs Auckland City locked up the Group B crown and a berth in the semifinals with a 3-0 domination of Amicale FC, eliminating the club from Vanuatu from the tournament.

Final Group B Standings:

1. Auckland City (GP: 3; GD: +9; PTS: 9)
2. Amicale FC (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
3. Suva FC (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
4. Western United FC (GP: 3; GD: -6; PTS: 0)

Auckland City won Group B and advanced to the semifinal round.

Here are the matchups for the semifinal round with both matches set to be played this coming Tuesday at Suva, Fiji:

Gaitcha FCN (New Caledonia) vs. Auckland City (New Zealand)

Ba FC (Fiji) vs. Team Wellington (New Zealand)

The winners will meet in the one-match final at Suva's National Stadium on Sunday, April 26.  The winner would advance to this December's FIFA Club World Cup.