Monday, November 30, 2015

MLS Cup Playoffs: It's Timbers Vs. Crew For The Marbles (And A CONCACAF Champions League Berth)

Both conference finals in the MLS Cup Playoffs were concluded on Sunday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Harrison, New Jersey:

Despite dropping a 1-0  game-two road decision to the New York Red Bulls, the Columbus Crew  won their two-game Eastern Conference Final 2-0 on aggregate.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Frisco, Texas:

Fanendo Adi (54') and Lucus Melano (90'+5) each scored a goal as the Portland Timbers gained a 2-2 game-two road draw with FC Dallas and advanced to their first-ever MLS Cup Final by winning their two-match Western Conference Final series with the Hoops 5-3 on aggregate.



The Portland Timbers will visit the Columbus Crew in next Sunday's MLS Cup Final (1:00 PM Pacific Time, ESPN).

The winner will qualify for the group stage of the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League.

Friday, November 27, 2015

Europa League: Reds, Spurs Clinch Spots In Knockout Stage

Europa League group-stage play resumed with 24 games on Thursday.

GROUP A:

At Molde, Norway:

Fernandao (68') and Ozan Tufan (84') each scored once as Fenerbahce defeated Molde FK 2-0 on the road.

At Glasgow, Scotland:

Vaclav Cerny scored the winning goal in the 88th minute as Ajax Amsterdam defeated Celtic 2-1 on the road, eliminating the Bhoys from European competition.

Group A Standings:

1. x-Molde FK (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2.    Fenerbahce (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 8)
3.    Ajax Amsterdam (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
4. z-Celtic (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 2)

x-Clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

z-Eliminated  from European competition



GROUP B:

At Kazan, Russia:

Blagoy Georgiev (72') and Marko Devic (90') delivered the goals as Rubin Kazan blanked visiting FC Sion 2-0, preventing the Swiss club from advancing to the Round of 32.

At Liverpool, England:

James Milner (PK-38') and Christian Benteke (45'+1) each scored a goal as Liverpool came from behind to defeat visiting Bordeaux 2-1 and clinch a berth in the knockout stage while eliminating the French club from the tournament.

Group B Standings:

1. x-Liverpool (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
2.    FC Sion (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 8)
3.    FC Rubin Kazan (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 5)
4. z-Bordeaux (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 3)

x-Clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from European competition



GROUP C:

At Krasnodar, Russia:

Pavel Mamayev's successfully-converted second-minute penalty kick stood up as FC Krasnodar defeated visiting Borussia Dortmund 1-0 as both clubs will play in the knockout stage.

At Thessaloniki, Greece:

Gabala FK held hosts PAOK FC to a 0-0 stalemate as both clubs are now playing out the string.

Group C Standings:

1. x-FC Krasnodar (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 10)
2. x-Borussia Dortmund (GP: 5; GD: +6; PTS: 10)
3. z-PAOK FC (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
4. z-Gabala FK (GP: 5; GD: -7; PTS: 2)

x-Clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from European Competition

NOTE:  While FC Krasnodar and Borussia Dortmund each scored twice during the course of their two games against each other, the Russian club scored one goal on the road.



GROUP D:

At Warsaw, Poland:

Aleksandar Prijovic (35') scored the only goal of the match in the 35th minute as Legia Warsaw kept their knockout-stage hopes alive by defeating FC Midtjylland 1-0, preventing the visiting Danish club from advancing to the Round of 32.

At Bruges, Belgium:

In a contest played behind closed doors due to security concerns in Belgium in the aftermath of the recent Paris attacks, Vlad Chirches scored the only goal of the match in the 41st minute as Napoli continued their perfect group-stage form with a 1-0 road win over Club Brugge.

Group D Standings:

1. y-Napoli (GP: 5; GD: +16; PTS: 15)
2.    FC Midtjylland (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 6)
3.    Club Brugge (GP: 5; GD: -7; PTS: 4)
4.    Legia Warsaw (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 4)

NOTE:  Club Brugge had a win and a draw in two group-stage contests with Legia Warsaw.



GROUP E:

At Barysaw, Belarus:

Nenad Adamovic scored the only goal of the match in the third minute of second-half stoppage time as Dinamo Minsk knocked off visiting FC Viktoria Plzen, ending any hopes of advancing to the knockout stage for the Czech club.

At Villarreal, Spain:

Bruno Soriano's goal in the 78th minute carried Villarreal to a 1-0 home victory over fellow Round-of-32 entrants Rapid Vienna.

Group E Standings:

1. x-Villarreal (GP: 5; GD: +6; PTS: 12)
2. x-Rapid Vienna (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 12)
3. z-FC Viktoria Plzen (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
4. z-FC Dinamo Minsk (GP: 5; GD: -7; PTS: 3)

x-Clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from European competition



GROUP F:

At Braga, Portugal:

Crislan scored the winning goal in the second minute of second-half stoppage time as SC Braga defeated visiting Slovan Liberec 2-1 and locked up a berth in the knockout stage.

At Marseilles, France:

Michy Batsshuayi scored the winning goal in the 88th minute as Marseille defeated visiting FC Groningan 2-1 and jumped up to second place in Group F with one match remaining.

Group G Standings:

1. x-SC Braga (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 12)
2.    Marseille (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
3.    FC Slovan Liberec (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
4. z-FC Groningen (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 1)

x-Clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from European competition



GROUP G:

At Rome:

Marco Parolo what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 68th minute as Lazio defeated visiting FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 3-1 and clinched top spot in Group G.

At Trondheim, Norway:

Nolan Roux successful penalty kick in the 80th minute lifted Saint-Etienne to a 1-1 road draw with Rosenborg BK and a knockout-stage berth.  Alexander Soderfund scored for the now-eliminated Trond Kids in the 40th minute.

Group G Standings:

1. y-Lazio (GP: 5; GD: +7; PTS: 13)
2. x-Saint-Etienne (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 8)
3. z-FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 4)
4. z-Rosenborg BK (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 2)

y-Won Group G and clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

x-Clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from European Competition



GROUP H:

At Moscow:

Gelson Martins scored what proved to be the game winner in the 43rd minute as Sporting CP knocked off Lokomotiv Moscow 4-2 on the road to stay alive in the race for a knockout-stage berth.

At Istanbul, Turkey:

Cenk Tosun scored twice (35', 78') as Beskitas defeated visiting Skenderbeu Korce 2-0 and knocked the Albanian club out of the tournament and European competition.

Group H Standings:

1.    Besiktas (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
2.    Lokomotiv Moscow (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
3.    Sporting CP (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 7)
4. z-Skenderbeu Korce (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 3)

z-Eliminated from European competition



GROUP I:

At Basel, Switzerland:

Marek Suchy (40') and Mohamed Elneny (74') each scored a goal as FC Basel erased a two-goal deficit to gain a 2-2 home draw with Fiorentina and lock up a berth in the Europa League's knockout stage.  Federico Bernardeschi scored both goals (23', 36') for the Violets.

At Lisbon, Portugal:

Lech Poznan and hosts Belenenses battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

Group I Standings:

1. x-FC Basel (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 10)
2.    Fiorentina (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
3.    Lech Poznan (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 5)
4.    Belenenses (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 5)

x-Clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage



GROUP J:

At Fontvieille, Monaco:

Guillaume Gillet (45'+1) and Frank Acheampong (78') produced the scoring as RSC Anderlecht blanked AS Monaco 2-0 on the road.

At Baku, Azerbaijan:

Harry Kane's goal in the 78th minute carried Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-0 road win over Qarabag FK and a berth in the knockout stage.  Spurs, in fact, locked up top spot in Group J.

Group J Standings:

1. y-Tottenham Hotspur (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2.    RSC Anderlecht (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 7)
3.    AS Monaco (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
4.    Qarabag FK (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 4)

y-Won Group J and clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage



GROUP K:

At Gelsenkirchen, Germany:

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored the only goal of the match in the 86th minute as Schalke 04 defeated visiting APOEL FC 1-0 and clinched a berth in the knockout stage.

At Prague, Czech Republic:

Jakub Brabec scored the game's lone goal in the 33rd minute as Sparta Prague clinched a knockout-stage berth with their 1-0 home win over Asteras Tripoli.

Group K Standings:

1. x-FC Schalke 04 (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 11)
2. x-Sparta Prague (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
3. z-Asteras Tripoli (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS; 4)
4. z-APOEL FC (GP: 5; GD: -7; PTS: 3)

x-Clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from European competition



GROUP L:

At Alkmaar, Netherlands:

Andrija Zivkovic scored the winning goal in the 89th minute as Partizan Belgrade all but locked up a berth in the Round of 32 after their 2-1 road win over AZ Alkmaar as the Dutch club were eliminated.

At Augsburg, Germany:

Aritz Aduriz scored twice during a three-minute second-half span (83', 86') as Athletic Bilbao locked up the Group L title with a 3-2 road win over FC Augsburg.

Group L Standings:

1. y-Athletic Bilbao (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 12)
2.    Partizan Belgrade (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 9)
3.    FC Augsburg (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
4. z-AZ Alkmaar (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 3)

y-Won Group H and clinched berth in Europa League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from European competition

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

UEFA Champions League, Group D: Juve Top Citizens At Home, Lock Up Berth In Knockout Stage; Sevilla Eliminated

Two Group D contests within the UEFA Champions League were played on Wednesday.

At Turin, Italy:

Mario Mandzukic scored the only goal of the match in the 18th minute as Juventus clinched a berth in the Champions League's knockout stage following their 1-0 home win over already-knockout-stage-bound Manchester City.  Here's Mario (left), celebrating with Paul Pogba after scoring the goal that propelled the Old Lady into the Round of 16 (as well as the top of the group).

AFP/Getty Images photo

At Monchengladbach, Germany:
Gladbach go third in Group D with Sevilla KO
Lars Stindl scored twice (29', 83'; that's him celebrating after one of his goals) as Borussia Monchengladbach defeated visiting Sevilla 4-2 to climb up to third place in Group D. 

Group D Standings:

1. x-Juventus (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 11)
2. x-Manchester City (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
3. z-Borussia Monchengladbach (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 5)
4. z-Sevilla (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 3)

x-Clinched berth in Champions League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament but still alive for berth in Europa League knockout stage

UEFA Champions League, Group C: Eagles, Mattress Makers To Knockout Stage

Two games were contested in Group C of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

At Astana, Kazakhstan:
Benfica fight back to eliminate Astana
Raul Jimenez scored twice (40', 72') as SL Benfica battled back from a two-goal deficit and gained a 2-2 road draw with Astana.  Patrick Twumasi (19') and Marin Anicic (31') provided the scoring for the hosts, who were eliminated from the tournament.  Here's Astana's Nemanja Maksimovic battling with the knockout-stage-bound Eagles' Andreas Samaris for the ball.

Getty Images photo

At Madrid:

Antoine Griezmann scored both goals (13', 65'; that's him, on the left, celebrating with teammates after his second tally) in Atletico Madrid's 2-0 blanking of visiting Galatasaray as the Mattress Makers locked up a berth in the Champions League's knockout stage.

AFP/Getty Images photo

Group C Standings:

1. x-SL Benfica (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2. x-Atletico Madrid  
3. z-Galatasaray
4. z-FC Astana (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 3)

x-Clinched berth in Champions League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament but still alive for berth in Europa League knockout stage

UEFA Champions League, Group B: Wolfsburg Knock Off Horses On Road; Red Devils, PSV Battle To Scoreless Draw

Two games were played in Group B of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.

At Khimki, Russia:

Igor Akinfeev (OG-67') and Andre Schurrle (88') each scored once as PSV Wolfsburg moved to the top of the group by blanking CSKA Moscow 2-0 on the road, eliminating the Horses from the tournament (though CSKA can still gain a berth in the Europa League's knockout stage).  Here are the happy Wolfsburg players celebrating one of the goals scored in this match.

At Manchester, England:

PSV Eindhoven held hosts Manchester United to a 0-0 stalemate.  Here, we see the Red Devils' Anthony Martial battling with PSV's Joshua Brenet for the ball.

Getty Images photos

Group B Standings:

1.    VfL Wolfsburg (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
2.    Manchester United (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 8)
3.    PSV Eindhoven (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
4. z-CSKA Moscow (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 4)

z-Eliminated from tournament but still alive for Europa League knockout-stage berth

UEFA Champions League, Group A: Galacticos Win Group; PSG Advance To Knockout Stage Too After Demolishing Malmo

Two of the eight games that were contested in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday were played in Group A.

At Malmo, Sweden:
Ibrahimović's scoring return as Paris thrash Malmö
Angel Di Maria scored twice (14', 68') as Paris Saint-Germain destroyed hosts Malmo FF 5-0 to lay claim to a berth in the Champions League's knockout stage.  Here's PSG's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrating after scoring against his former club in the 50th minute.

At Lviv, Ukraine:

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice (18', 70', that's him celebrating after scoring his first goal) as Real Madrid locked up top spot in Group A after blowing a four-goal lead but hanging on for a 4-3 road win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

AFP/Getty Images photos

Group A Standings:

1. y-Real Madrid (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 13)
2. x-Paris Saint-Germain (GP: 5; GD: +9; PTS: 10)
3. z-Shakhtar Donetsk (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 3)
4. z-Malmo FF (GP: 5; GD: -12; PTS: 3)

y-Won Group A and clinched berth in Champions League knockout stage

x-Clinched berth in Champions League knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament but still alive for berth in Europa League knockout stage

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

UEFA Champions League, Group H: Zenit Wrap Up Group Title; Gent Climb Up To Second After Beating Lyon In France

Two games were contested on Tuesday in Group H of the UEFA Champions League.

At Saint Petersburg, Russia:

Oleg Shatov (15', shown here) and Artyom Dzyuba (74') delivered the goals as Zenit Saint Petersburg won the Group H crown with their 2-0 home blanking of Valencia.

At Lyon, France:

Kalifa Coulibaly scored the winning goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time as KAA Gent climbed up to second place in Group H with their 2-1 road win over Lyon, eliminating the French club from European competition in the process.   Here are the happy Gent players celebrating after their big victory.
AFP/Getty Images photos

Group H Standings:

1. y-FC Zenit Saint Petersburg (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 15)
2.    KAA Gent (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
3.    Valencia (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 6)
4. o-Lyon (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 1)

y-Won Group H and clinched berth in knockout stage

o-Eliminated from European competition

UEFA Champions League, Group G: Chelsea, Porto, Dynamo Kiev Battle For Knockout-Stage Berths Heading Into Final Match Day; Maccabi Tel Aviv Out Of European Competition

Two games were played in Group G of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

At Porto, Portugal:

Andriy Yarmolenko (PK-35') and Derlis Gonzalez (64') each scored a goal as Dynamo Kiev knocked off FC Porto 2-0 on the road.  Here's the scoring twosome celebrating after Derlis' (left) insurance tally.

At Haifa, Israel:

Gary Cahill (that's him celebrating with Willian after scoring)got the scoring started in the 20th minute as Chelsea blasted Maccabi Tel Aviv 4-0 on the road and short-circuited the Israeli club's European adventure.  Willian scored himself in the 73rd minute for the Blues.

AFP/Getty Images photos

Group G Standings:

1.    FC Porto (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2.    Chelsea (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 10)
3.    Dynamo Kiev (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 8)
4. o-Maccabi Tel Aviv FC (GP: 5; GD: -14; PTS: 0)

o-Eliminated from European competition

NOTE: Porto defeated Chelsea 2-1 at home on September 29 in the first of two group-stage contests between the clubs.

UEFA Champions League, Group F: Bayern Bash Legend, Win Group Title; Gunners Dominate Dinamo Zagreb, Stay Alive

Two games were played in Group F as group-stage action in the UEFA Champions League resumed on Tuesday.

At London:

Alexis Sanchez scored twice (33' [shown here], 69', ) as Arsenal kept their chances of advancing to the knockout stage alive with their 3-0 domination of visiting Dinamo Zagreb, ending the Croatian club's chances of staying in European competition after the start of the new year.

AFP/Getty Images photo

At Munich, Germany:

Douglas Costa (8'), Robert Lewandowski (16'), Thomas Muller (20'), and Kingsley Coman (69', shown here) each scored a goal as Bayern Munich demolished visiting Olympiacos 4-0 and clinched the Group F crown.

Getty Images photo

Group F Standings:

1. y-Bayern Munich (GP: 5; GD: +14; PTS: 12)
2.    Olympiacos (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 9)
3.    Arsenal (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
4. o-Dinamo Zagreb (GP: 5; GD: -9; PTS: 3)

y-Won Group F and clinched berth in knockout stage

o-Eliminated from European competition

UEFA Champions League, Group E: Leo The Lion Scores Twice In Barca Victory; Three Teams To Battle For Right To Advance

UEFA Champions League group-stage play resumed on Tuesday with eight games, two of them in Group E.

At Barysaw, Belarus:

Admir Mehmedi's equalizer in the 68th minute enabled Bayer Leverkusen to gain a 1-1 road draw with FC BATE Borisov.  Mikhail Gordeichuk scored for the hosts in the second minute as both club stayed alive in the race to advance to the knockout stage.  Here's BATE's Sergei Chernik making the save against Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah.

At Barcelona:

Luis Suarez (15', 44') and Lionel Messi (18', 60', that's him, on the right, celebrating with teammates after scoring his second goal) each scored twice as Barcelona wrapped up the Group E crown with a 6-1 demolition of visiting AS Roma.

AFP/Getty Images photos

Group E Standings:

1. y-Barcelona (GP: 5; GD: +11; PTS: 13)
2.    AS Roma (GP: 5; GD: -5; PTS: 5)
3.    Bayer Leverkusen (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
4.    FC BATE Borisov (GP: 5; GD: -7; PTS: 4)

y-Won Group E and clinched a berth in the knockout stage

NOTE:  AS Roma had a win and a draw against Bayer Leverkusen.

Monday, November 23, 2015

MLS Cup Playoffs: Crew, Timbers Grab Series Openers

Both conference finals in the Major League Soccer playoffs commenced on Sunday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Columbus, Ohio:

Jusin Meram (1') and Kei Kamara (85') provided the scoring as the Columbus Crew blanked the visiting New York Red Bulls 2-0 in the opening game of the Eastern Conference Final.  The series will conclude next Sunday in Harrison, New Jersey (4:30 PM Pacific Time, Fox Sports 1).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Portland, Oregon:

Liam Ridgewell (23'), Dairon Asprilla (53'), and Nat Borchers (90'+1) each scored a goal as the Portland Timbers held off FC Dallas 3-1 in the opening match of the Western Conference Final at home.  David Texeira scored for the Hoops in the 62nd minute.  The series will be wrapped up next Sunday at Frisco, Texas (2:00 PM Pacific Time, ESPN).

Saturday, November 21, 2015

GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE TAOBAO WIN SECOND ASIAN CLUB TITLE IN THREE YEARS

At Guangzhou, China:

Elkeson scored the only goal of both the match and the series in the 54th minute on Saturday as Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao won their second AFC Champions League title in three years with their 1-0 game-two home victory over Al-Ahli Dubai FC from the United Arab Emirates, enabling the Chinese club to take the series 1-0 on aggregate for the two-match final.

Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao will represent Asia in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place next month in Japan.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

FIFA World Cup Qualifying (CONCACAF): Team USA and Soca Warriors Battle To Scoreless Stalemate In Trinidad; Ditto For El Salvador and Canada; El Tri, Reggae Boyz, Ticos, Guatemala Rack Up Victories

The fourth round of CONCACAF regional qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup continued on Tuesday with six games.

GROUP A:

At San Pedro Sula, Honduras:

Jesus Corona (67') and Jurgen Damm (72') each scored a second-half goal five minutes apart in Mexico's 2-0 road victory over Honduras.

At San Salvador, El Salvador:

El Salvador and visiting Canada battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

Group A Standings:

1. Mexico (GP: 2; GD: +5; PTS: 6)
2. Canada (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. El Salvador (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
4. Honduras (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 0)



GROUP B:

At Port-au-Prince, Haiti:

Clayton Donaldson scored the only goal of the match in the 62nd minute as Jamaica knocked off Haiti 1-0 on the road.

At Panama City, Panama:

Bryan Ruiz (66') and Marco Urena (69') each scored a second-half goal three minutes apart as Costa Rica held off Panama 2-1 on the road.

Group B Standings:

1. Costa Rica (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Panama (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Jamaica (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. Haiti (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)



GROUP C:

At Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines:

Stefano Cincotta got the scoring started in the eighth minute as Guatemala scored twice in each half as they demolished Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4-0 on the road.

At Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago:

The United States and hosts Trinidad and Tobago battled to a 0-0 deadlock.

Group C Standings:

1. United States (GP: 2; GD: +5; PTS: 4)
2. Trinidad and Tobago (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. Guatemala (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 3)
4. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (GP: 2; GD: -9; PTS: 0)

Friday, November 13, 2015

FIFA World Cup Qualifying (CONCACAF): Jozy Helps Make Things Rosy For Team USA; El Tri, Soca Warriors, Canada, Panama, Ticos Win Opening Games

The fourth round of CONCACAF regional qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup commenced on Friday with six games.

GROUP A:

At Mexico City:

Andres Guardado (7'), Hector Herrera (42'), and Carlos Vela (64') each scored a goal as Mexico dominated visiting El Salvador 3-0.

At Vancouver, British Columbia:

Cyle Larin scored the only goal of the match in the 38th minute as Canada defeated visiting Honduras 1-0.

Group A Standings:

1. Mexico (GP: 1; GD: +3; PTS: 3)
2. Canada (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Honduras (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. El Salvador (GP: 1; GD: -3; PTS: 0)



GROUP B:

At San Jose, Costa Rica:

Cristian Gamboa scored the only goal of Costa Rica's 1-0 home win over Haiti.

At Kingston, Jamaica:

Alberto Quintero (43') and Armando Cooper (52') each scored a goal as Panama blanked Jamaica 2-0 on the road.

Group B Standings:

1. Panama (GP: 1; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
2. Costa Rica (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Haiti (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. Jamaica (GP: 1; GD: -2; PTS: 0)



GROUP C:

At St. Louis:

Jozy Altidore scored twice (31', 74') as the United States snapped back after conceding an early goal and demolished visiting Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 6-1.

At Guatemala City:

Kenwyne Jones scored the winning goal as Trinidad and Tobago held off hosts Guatemala 2-1.

Group C Standings:

1. United States (GP: 1; GD: +5; PTS: 3)
2. Trinidad and Tobago (GP: 1; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Guatemala (GP: 1; GD: -1; PTS: 0)
4. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (GP: 1; GD: -5; PTS: 0)

Sunday, November 08, 2015

MLS Cup PLayoffs: Red Bulls, Crew Advance In East; Hoops and Timbers Likewise In West

The second round of the Major League Soccer Playoffs concluded with four games on Sunday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Harrison, New Jersey:

Bradley Wright-Phillips scored the only goal of the match in the second minute of second-half stoppage time as the New York Red Bulls scored a second 1-0 victory over DC United and won their two-game conference semifinal series 2-0 on aggregate.

At Columbus, Ohio:

Kai Kamara scored twice (4', 111') as the Columbus Crew, after taking game two of their series with the Montreal Impact, 2-1 in regulation to square their two-match conference semifinal series at 3-3 on aggregate, won the series 4-3 on aggregate.  Ethan Findlay scored for the Crew in the 77th minute to force overtime.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Frisco, Texas:

With the two-game conference semifinal series score at 3-3 on aggregate after regulation of the second game, and after 30 scoreless overtime minutes, Mauro Diaz, Ryan Hollingshead, Tesho Akindele, and Walker Zimmerman (whose goal in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time forced overtime) all converted their spot kicks as FC Dallas won the penalty-kick shootout 4-2 over the visiting Seattle Sounders.  Hoops goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez saved two shots during the shootout.

At Vancouver, British Columbia:

Fenando Adi (31') and Diego Chara (90'+4) each scored a goal as the Portland Timbers knocked out the hosts Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0, both in game two and on aggregate for the two-game conference semifinal series.



Here are the match-ups for the conference finals with the hosts listed first and all time Pacific Standard:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

Game One:

Sunday, November 22:

Columbus Crew vs. New York Red Bulls, 2:00 PM (ESPN)

Game Two:

Sunday, November 29:

New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

Game One:

Sunday, November 22:

Portland Timbers vs. FC Dallas, 4:30 PM (Fox Sports 1)

Game Two:

Sunday, November 29:

FC Dallas vs. Portland Timbers

The MLS Cup Final will be played on Sunday, December 6 at the home stadium of the conference playoff champion with the better record.

The winner, unless it is New York or FC Dallas, will qualify for the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League.