Saturday, April 30, 2016

MLS: Sounders, NYC FC, RSL Gather Saturday Wins; Ten-Man Quakes Gain Road Draw With Philly; Rapids and Hosts Impact Draw; DCU And Hosts Fire Draw Too; Revs And Lions Draw At 2-2 In Foxborough

Seven games were contested in Major League Soccer on Saturday.

At Chester, Pennsylvania:

Simon Dawkins' 83rd-minute equalizer carried the ten-man San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-1 road draw with the Philadelphia Union.  Chris Pontius scored for the hosts in the 30th minute.

At Montreal:

Shkelzen Gashi (47') and Bobby Burling (73') each scored once as the Colorado Rapids gained a 1-1 road draw with the Montreal Impact.  Didier Drogba (9') and Maxim Tissot (50') delivered the goals for the hosts.

At New York:

David Villa scored twice (35', 41') while Steven Mendoza delivered the game winner in the 73rd minute as New York City upended the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps 3-2.

At Seattle:

Jordan Morris came through in the 88th minute with the lone goal of the match as the Seattle Sounders knocked off the Columbus Crew 1-0 on the road.

At Bridgeview, Illinois:

Patrick Nyarko's equalizer in the 64th minute carried DC United to a 1-1 road draw with the Chicago Fire.  Jonathan Campbell scored in the 41st minute for the hosts.

At Foxborough, Massachusetts:

Kevin Molino (30') and Carlos Rivas (90') each scored once as Orlando City gained a 2-2 road draw with New England.  Diego Fagundez (7') and Juan Agudelo (71') each delivered a goal for the Revolution.

At Sandy, Utah:

Jordan Allen (62') and Yura Movsisyan (70') produced the goalpower in the second half as Real Salt Lake came from behind to upend the visiting (and struggling) Houston Dynamo 2-1.

Friday, April 29, 2016

MLS: Red Bulls Run Roughshod Over Hoops

At Harrison, New Jersey:

Lloyd Sam (37'), Sacha Kljestan (52'), Mike Grella (71'), and Felipe (83') each scored a goal in the lone Friday Major League Soccer contest as the New York Red Bulls demolished visiting FC Dallas 4-0.

Is MLS Coming To Detroit?

Who could have thunk of this only a few months ago?

How 'bout Motor City FC ?

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Copa Libertadores: Independiente Del Valle, Sao Paulo, Boca Grab Series-Opening Wins

Three games were played on Thursday as the Round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores reached the midway point.

At Sangolqui, Ecuador:

Jose Angulo (64') and Junior Somoza (PK-90'+2) each scored a goal as Independiente Del Valle blanked visiting River Plate in the opening match of their two-game series.

At Sao Paulo, Brazil:

Adrian Ricardo Centurion scored twice (45', 61') as Sao Paulo demolished visiting Toluca 4-0 in the opening contest of their two game series.

At Asuncion, Paraguay:  

Nicolas Lodeiro scored the winning goal in the 60th minute as Boca Juniors defeated Cerro Porteno 2-1 on the road in match one.

Europa League Semifinals: Sevilla Gain Series-Opening Road Draw With Shakhtar; Yellow Sub's Late Goal Carries Them By Liverpool

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

At Lviv, Ukraine:

Vitolo (6') and Kevin Gameiro (PK-82') each scored once as Sevilla gained a series-opening draw with Shakhtar Donetsk.  Marlos (23') and Taras Stepanenko (36') delivered the goals for the Ukrainian club.

At Seville, Spain:

Adrian Lopez Alvarez delivered the winning goal in the second minute of second-half stoppage time as Villarreal took game one of their series with Liverpool 1-0 at home.

CLUB AMERICA DEFEAT TIGRES TO CLAIM ANOTHER CONCACAF CLUB TITLE

At Mexico City:

Michael Arroyo (68') and Osvaldo Martinez (PK-87') each scored a goal on Wednesday as Club America defeated visiting Tigres 2-1 in game two of the CONCACAF Champions League Final and won their seventh continental club title and a berth in December's FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in Japan.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Copa Libertadores: Rosario Central Take Series Opener On Road; Nothing But Goose Eggs For Brazilian Clubs

The Round of 16 in the Copa Libertadores continued on Wednesday with three games.

At Montevideo, Uruguay:

The opening contest between Uruguay's Club Nacional and visiting Corinthians ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

At Avellaneda, Argentina:

The opening match between Racing Club de Avellaneda and visiting Atletico Mineiro concluded in a 0-0 deadlock.

At Porto Alegre, Brazil:

Marco Ruben scored the only goal of the match in the 13th minute as Rosario Central took the opening contest of their series with Gremio 1-0 on the road.

MLS: Three-Draw Wednesday

Three games were contested in Major League Soccer on Wednesday.

At New York:

Dominic Oduro's equalizer in the 90th minute carried the Montreal Impact to a 1-1 road draw with New York City.  R.J. Allen scored for the hosts in the 51st minute.

At Foxborough, Massachusetts:

Jermaine Taylor's own goal in the 89th minute enabled the New England Revolution to salvage a 1-1 home draw with the Portland Timbers.  Jack Barmby scored for the guests in the 64th minute.

At Vancouver, British Columbia:

Diego Rubio's equalizer in the 37th minute lifted Sporting Kansas City to a 1-1 road draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps.  Christian Bolanos scored for the hosts in the 14th minute.



MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1.    Montreal (GP: 8; GD: +2; PTS: 13)
2.    Philadelphia (GP: 7; GD: +3; PTS: 12)
3.    Toronto FC (GP: 7; GD: +3; PTS: 11)
4.    Orlando City SC (GP: 7; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
5.    DC United (GP: +8; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
6.    New England (GP: 9; GD: -5; PTS: 9)
7.    Columbus (GP: 7; GD: -1; PTS: 8)
8.    New York City FC (GP: 8; GD: -3; PTS: 7)
9.    New York Red Bulls (GP: 8; GD: -9; PTS: 6)
10.  Chicago (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 6)

NOTES:  With Orlando City, DC United, and New England level on points with nine, the Lions and DC have more wins (two apiece) than the Revolution; Orlando City have the superior goal differential in comparison with DC United (+2 to 0); with the New York Red Bulls and Chicago level on points with six, the Red Bulls have more wins than the Fire (2-1)



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   FC Dallas (GP: 9; GD: +2; PTS: 17)
2.   Colorado (GP: 8; GD: +4; PTS: 16)
3.   Los Angeles (GP: 7; GD: +10; PTS: 14)
4.   Real Salt Lake (GP: 7; GD: +1; PTS: 14)
5.   San Jose (GP: 8; GD: +1; PTS: 14)
6.   Kansas City (GP: 9; GD: +1; PTS: 13)
7.   Vancouver (GP: 9; GD: -2; PTS: 11)
8.   Portland (GP: 8; GD: -3; PTS: 9)
9.   Seattle (GP: 7; GD: -3; PTS: 7)
10. Houston (GP: 7; GD: -1; PTS: 5)

NOTES:  With Los Angeles, Real Salt Lake, and San Jose level on points (14) and wins (4), the Galaxy have the best goal differential amongst the three clubs (+10, to +1 for both RSL and the Earthquakes); Real Salt Lake have scored more goals than San Jose (12-11)

UEFA Champions League: Mattress Makers Take Series Opener From Bayern

At Madrid:
Slick Atlético inflict more Spain pain on Bayern
In Wednesday's opening match of their two-game UEFA Champions League semifinal series, Saul Niguez Esclapez (that's him, on the right, celebrating with teammates) scored the game's lone goal in the 11th minute as Atletico Madrid defeated visiting Bayern Munich 1-0.

Getty Images photo

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Copa Libertadores: Knockout Stage Commences

Two games are set for Tuesday as the knockout stage of the Copa Libertadores commences with the Round of 16.

The hosts are listed first.

At Buenos Aires:

The opening contest between Club Atletico Huracan and visiting Atletico Nacional ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

At San Cristobal, Venezuela:

Yuber Mosquera scored the only goal of the match in the 50th minute as Deportivo Tachira knocked off visiting Pumas 1-0 in the opening game of their two-match series.

UEFA Champions League: Galacticos Gain Scoreless Game-One Road Draw With Citizens

At Manchester, England:
Manchester City resist late Real Madrid surge
Tuesday's opening contest of a UEFA Champions League semifinal series between home-standing Manchester City and Cristiano Ronaldo-less Real Madrid ended in a 0-0 stalemate.  Here, we see Citizens goalkeeper Joe Hart blocking a shot from the Galacticos' Pepe.

AFP/Getty Images photo

Sunday, April 24, 2016

MLS: Sunday Home Wins For Quakes, Red Bulls

Two games were contested in Major League Soccer on Sunday.

At San Jose, California:

Chris Wondolowski's successful penalty kick in the 59th minute provided all the scoring as the San Jose Earthquakes defeated visiting Sporting Kansas City 1-0.

At Harrison, New Jersey:

Bradley Wright-Phillips scored twice (69', 75') as the New York Red Bulls defeated visiting Orlando City 3-2.



MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   Philadelphia (GP: 7; GD: +3; PTS: 12)
2.   Montreal (GP: 7; GD: +2; PTS: 12)
3.   Toronto FC (GP: 7; GD: +3; PTS: 11)
4.   Orlando City SC (GP: 7; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
5.   DC United (GP: 8; GD: 0; PTS: 9)
6.   Columbus (GP: 7; GD: -2; PTS: 8)
7.   New England (GP: 8; GD: -5; PTS: 8)
8.   New York Red Bulls (GP: 8; GD: -9; PTS: 6)
9.   Chicago (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
10. New York City FC (GP: 7; GD: -3; PTS: 1)

NOTES:  With Philadelphia and Montreal level on points (12) and wins (4), the Union have the superior goal differential (+3, to the Impact's +2); with Orlando City and DC United level on points (9) and wins (2), the Lions have the superior goal differential (+2, compared to DC's 0); with Columbus and New England level on points with eight, the Crew have more wins than the Revolution (2-1); with the New York Red Bulls, Chicago, and New York City level on points (6), the Red Bulls have more wins (2, compared to one each for the Fire and Citizns); Chicago has the superior goal differential (-1, compared to NYC FC's -3).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   FC Dallas (GP: 9; GD: +2; PTS: 17)
2.   Colorado (GP: 8; GD: +4; PTS: 16)
3.   Los Angeles (GP: 7; GD: +10; PTS: 14)
4.   Real Salt Lake (GP: 7; GD: +1; PTS: 14)
5.   San Jose (GP: 8; GD: +1; PTS: 14)
6.   Kansas City (GP: 8; GD: +1; PTS: 12)
7.   Vancouver (GP: 8; GD: -2; PTS: 10)
8.   Portland (GP: 7; GD: -3; PTS: 8)
9.   Seattle (GP: 7; GD: -3; PTS: 7)
10. Houston (GP: 7; GD: -1; PTS: 5)

NOTES:  With Los Angeles, Real Salt Lake, and San Jose level on points (14) and wins (4), the Galaxy have the best goal differential amongst the three clubs (+10 compared to +1 for both RSL and the Earthquakes); Real Salt Lake have scored more goals than San Jose (12-11).

Saturday, April 23, 2016

MLS: TFC, Philly, DC, Rapids, Crew, Caps, Galaxy Grab Saturday Wins

Seven games were contested in  Major League Soccer on Saturday.

At Chester, Pennsylvania:

Chris Pontius (26') and C. J. Sapong (41') each scored once in the first half as the Philadelphia Union blanked visiting New York City 2-0.

At Montreal:

Sebastian Giovinco delivered both goals (PK-40', 81') in Toronto FC's 2-0 road win over the Montreal Impact.

At Washington:

Lamar Neagle (PK-33'), Luciano Acosta (86'), and Alvaro Saborio (90') each scored once as DC United dominated the visiting New England Revolution 3-0.

At Columbus, Ohio:

Kei Kamara's successful penalty kick in the 21st minute proved to be enough for the Columbus Crew as they defeated the visiting, struggling Houston Dynamo 1-0.

At Commerce City, Colorado:

Jermaine Jones (20'), Luis Solignac (51'), and Kevin Doyle (86') each scored once as the Colorado Rapids snapped the visiting Seattle Sounders' three-match unbeaten streak 3-1.

At Carson, California:

Five different goal scorers--Gyasi Zardes (19'), Mike Magee (26'), Emmanuel Boateng (41'), Giovani Dos Santos (45'), and Steven Gerard (90'+1) each tallied once as the Los Angeles Galaxy dominated Real Salt Lake 5-2, handing the guests their first defeat of the season.

At Vancouver, British Columbia:

Maynor Figueroa (OG-35'), Jordan Harvey (63'), and Kekuta Manneh (77') each scored once as the Vancouver Whitecaps dominated visiting (and league-leading) FC Dallas 3-0.

IT'S SIX IN A ROW FOR AUCKLAND CITY

At Auckland, New Zealand:

Micah Lea'alafa scored twice (2', 84') and Clayton Lewis once (67') on Saturday as Auckland City captured their sixth successive OFC Champions League title (and eighth overall) by dominating fellow New Zealand club Team Wellington 3-0.

The Navy Blues, shown here after celebrating their latest Oceanic club title, will participate in December's FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in Japan.

OFC photo via Phototek

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Copa Libertadores: Group Stage Play Ends With River Plate (Of Argentina) And Sao Paulo Advancing To The Knockout Stage

Two games were contested on Thursday as group-stage play in the Copa Libertadores came to a conclusion.

GROUP ONE:

At Buenos Aires:

Andres D'Alessandro (8', PK-18') scored twice as River Plate locked up top spot in Group One (as well as a knockout-stage berth) with their 4-3 home victory over Trujillanos.

At La Paz, Bolivia:

Jonathan Calleri's equalizer in the 44th minute lifted Sao Paulo to a 1-1 road draw with The Strongest and a berth in the knockout stage. Ernesto Cristaldo scored in the 29th minute for the Bolivian club, who saw their stay in the tournament come to an end.

Final Group One Standings:

1. River Plate, Argentina (GP: 6; GD: +10; PTS: 11)
2. Sao Paulo (GP: 6; GD: +6; PTS: 9)
3. The Strongest (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 8)
4. Trujillanos FC (GP: 6; GD: -11; PTS: 4)

River Plate of Argentina and Sao Paulo FC advanced to the knockout stage.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

CONCACAF Champions League Final: Club America Get Jump On Tigres In Series Opener On Road

At San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico:

In Wednesday's opening game of the CONCACAF Champions League Final, Dario Benedetto (49') and Osvaldo Martinez (90'+3) delivered the scoring as Club America blanked Tigres 2-0 on the road.

The series will conclude next Wednesday at Mexico City.  The winner of this series will advance to December's FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in Japan.

Copa Libertadores

Group-stage action in the Copa Libertadores is set to continue on Wednesday with four games.

GROUP THREE:

At Buenos Aires:

Carlos Tevez scored twice (38', 71') as Boca Juniors demolished visiting Deportivo Cali 6-2.

At La Paz, Bolivia:

Roger Martinez delivered the equalizer in the 73rd minute as Racing Club de Avellaneda locked up a berth in the knockout stage after gaining a 1-1 road draw with Club Bolivar.

Final Group Three Standings:

1. Boca Juniors (GP: 6; GD: +7; PTS: 12)
2. Racing Club de Avellaneda (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 9)
3. Club Bolivar (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
4. Deportivo Cali (GP: 6; GD: -11; PTS: 3)

Boca Juniors and Racing Club de Avellaneva advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP EIGHT:

At Sao Paulo, Brazil:

Marlone (8', 38') and Angel Romero (12', 76') each scored twice as Corinthians destroyed visiting Cobresal 6-0.

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Junior Alonso scored the only goal of the match in the 33rd minute as Cerro Porteno clinched a berth in the knockout stage by eliminating visiting Independiente Santa Fe 1-0.

Final Group Eight Standings:

1. Corinthians (GP: 6; GD: +9; PTS: 13)
2. Cerro Porteno (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 10)
3. Independiente Santa Fe (GP: 6; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
4. Cobresal (GP: 6; GD: -10; PTS: 3)

Corinthians and Cerro Porteno advanced to the knockout stage.

CAF Champions League: Champs Detroned As Wydad Casablanca Advance To Group Stage; AS Vita Club, Enyimba, Al-Ahly, ASEC Mimosas Also Advance

Five games were contested on Wednesday as the second round of the CAF Champions League came to a conclusion.

At Pretoria, South Africa:

Despite dropping a 2-1 game-two road decision to Mamelodi Sundowns, AS Vita Club, with the aggregate score at 2-2, still advanced to the knockout stage due to the away-goals rule.

At Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo:

A 1-1 game-two draw with TP Mazembe enabled Morocco's Wydad Casablanca to oust the defending continental club champions 3-1 on aggregate.

At Sousse, Tunisia:

After Etoile du Sahel blanked visiting Enyimba 3-0 in regulation of game two to square the two-game series at 3-3 on aggregate, and with overtime dispensed with, the visiting Nigerian club won the penalty-kick shootout 4-3 to advance to the group stage.

At Alexandria, Egypt:

Al-Ahly defeated visiting Young Africans 2-1 in game two and ousted the Tanzanian club 3-2 on aggregate.

At Tunis, Tunisia (due to security concerns in Libya)

Despite dropping a 2-1 game-two road decision to Al-Ahli Tripoli, ASEC Mimosas from Ivory Coast still eliminated the Libyan club 3-2 on aggregate.

AFC Champions League

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

GROUP A:

At Dubai, United Arab Emirates:

Temurkhuja Abdulkholiqov's equalizer in the 43rd minute carried Lokomotiv Tashkent to a 1-1 road draw with Al-Nasr.  Jires Ekoko scored for the hosts in the 31st minute.

At Doha, Qatar:

Abdulrahman Al-Ghamdi scored twice (45'+2, 86') as Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia demolished Iran's Sepahan 4-0.  The match was moved from Saudi Arabia due to the deteriorating relations between that country and Iran.  The defeat knocked the Iranian club out of the tournament.

Group A Standings:

1.    Lokomotiv Tashkent (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
2.    Al-Nasr (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 8)
3.    Al-Ittihad (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
4. z-Sepahan FC (GP: 5; GD: -7; PTS: 3)

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP B:

At Tashkent, Uzbekistan:

Karim Boudiaf (65') and Mohammed Muntari (79') each scored once as Lekhwiya blanked FC Bunyodkor 2-0 on the road, eliminating the hosts from the tournament while the Qatari club will play in the Round of 16.

At Muscat, Oman:

In another contest that was transferred (this time from Iran) due to deteriorating relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, Ehsan Pahlavan scored twice (27', 83') as Iran's Zob Ahan dominated Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr 3-0 and locked up a berth in the knockout stage. 

Group B Standings:

1. x-Zob Ahan (GP: 5; GD: +7; PTS: 11)
2. x-Lekhwiya SC (GP: 5; GD: +5; PTS: 8)
3. z-Al-Nassr (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 5)
4. z-Bunyodkor (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 2)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP E:

At Tokyo:

Kim Bo-kyung (35'), Lee Jae-sung (60'), and Ko Moo-yeol (90'+1) each scored once as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors dominated FC Tokyo 3-0 on the road.

At Nanjing, China:

Wu Xi (6'), Jo (8'), and Ji Xiang (81') each scored a goal as Jiangsu Suning dominated Becamex Binh Duong 3-0 and ousted the Vietnamese club from the tournament.

Group E Standings:

1.    Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 9)
2.    Jiangsu Suning (GP: 5; GD: +3; PTS: 8)
3.    FC Tokyo (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 7)
4. z-Becamex Bihn Duong (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 4)

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP F:

At Seoul, South Korea:

Park Yong-woo scored the winning goal in the 43rd minute as FC Seoul defeated visiting Buriram United 2-1 and locked up a berth in the knockout stage.

At Jinan, China:

Diego Tardelli scored the only goal of the match in the 10th minute as Shandong Luneng clinched a knockout-stage berth following their 1-0 home win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Group F Standings:

1. x-FC Seoul (GP: 5; GD: +13; PTS; 13)
2. x-Shandong Luneng (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 10)
3. z-Sanfrecce Hiroshima (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
4. z-Buriram United (GP: 5; GD: -15; PTS: 0)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP H:

At Sydney, Australia:

Sydney FC and visiting Urawa Red Diamonds battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

Group H Standings:

1. x-Sydney FC (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 10)
2. x-Urawa Red Diamonds (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
3. z-Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 5)
4. z-Pohang Steelers (GP: 5; GD: -3; PTS: 4)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament

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

The semifinal round of the OFC Champions League took place on Wednesday with both games contested at QBE Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.

In the opener, Micah Lea'alafa (6', 22') and Clayton Lewis (24', 44') each scored twice during a four-goal first half as defending champs Auckland City doubled up Tahiti's AS Tefana 4-2.

In the nightcap, Tom Jackson scored twice (PK-74', 76') in the second half as Team Wellington blanked New Caledonia's AS Magenta 2-0.

Auckland City will seek a sixth consecutive Oceanic club championship when they face Team Wellington in Saturday's all-New Zealand Champions League final at Auckland's QBE Stadium with the winner advancing to December's FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in Japan.

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Copa Libertadores

The final week of Copa Libertadores group-stage play commenced on Tuesday with four games.

GROUP FOUR:

At Montevideo, Uruguay:

Hernan Novick scored twice (72', 80') as Penarol defeated visiting Sporting Cristal 4-3.  Nicolas Albarracin scored what proved to be the game-winning goal for the Uruguayan club in the 85th minute as the Peruvian club's participation in the tournament ended.

At Medellin, Colombia:

A 0-0 stalemate on the road against Atletico Nacional was good enough for Club Sport Huracan as the Argentinian club joined their hosts in the knockout stage.

Final Group Four Standings:

1. Atletico Nacional (GP: 6; GD: +12; PTS: 16)
2. Club Sport Huracan (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 8)
3. Penarol (GP: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 5)
4. Sporting Cristal (GP: 6; GD: -6; PTS: 4)

Atletico Nacional and Club Sport Huracan advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP SIX:

At Buenos Aires:

In the tournament finale for both clubs, Ezequiel Avila's equalizer in the 80th minute lifted San Lorenzo to a 1-1 home draw with LDU Quito.  Jose Cevallos scored in the 46th minute for the Ecuadorian club.

At Porto Alegre, Brazil:

In a battle of Group Six's two knockout-stage-bound clubs, Ramiro Benetti's goal in the 15th minute provided all the scoring in Gremio's 1-0 home victory over Toluca.

Final Group Six Standings:

1. Toluca (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 13)
2. Gremio (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 11)
3. San Lorenzo (GP: 6; GD: -3; PTS: 4)
4. LDU Quito (GP: 6; GD: -5; PTS: 4)

Toluca and Gremio advanced to the knockout stage.

CAF Champions League: Zamalek, ZESCO United, El Setif Reach Group Stage

The second round of the CAF Champions League resumed on Tuesday with three games.

At Setif, Algeria:

A 0-0 home draw in game two with Sudan's Al-Merrikh enabled ES Setif, with the aggregate score at 2-2, to advance to the group stage on away goals.

At Ndola, Zambia:

Jesse Were (5') and Maybin Mwaba (81') each scored once as ZESCO United defeated visiting Stade Malien 2-1 in game two and win their series 5-2 on aggregate.

At Bejaia, Algeria:

Ahmed Hamoudi scored in the 88th minute as Zamalek gained a 1-1 game two road draw with MO Bejaia, good enough for the Egyptian club to take out the Algerian club 3-1 on aggregate.

AFC Champions League

Group-stage play in the AFC Champions League resumed on Tuesday with seven games.

GROUP C:

At Doha, Qatar:

In a contest that was transferred from Saudi Arabia due to the deteriorating relationship between the Saudis and Iran, Aloys Nong (66') and Farzad Hatami (81') each scored once as Iran's Tractor Sazi blanked Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal 2-0 and clinched the Group C title as well as a berth in the knockout stage.

At Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:

Igor Sergeev scored twice (64', PK-83') as Pakhtakor Tashkent kept their chances of advancing alive with their 3-1 road win over Al-Jazira.

Group C Standings:

1. y-Tractor Sazi (GP: 5; GD: +8; PTS: 12)
2.    Al-Hilal (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 8)
3.    Pakhtakor Tashkent (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 7)
4. z-Al-Jazira (GP: 5; GD: -8; PTS: 1)

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

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP D:

At Qarshi, Uzbekistan:

Danilo Moreno Asprilla's equalizer in the 32nd minute lifted Al-Ain to a 1-1 road draw with Nasaf Qarshi.  Muksud Karimov scored in the opening minute for the hosts.

At Doha, Qatar:

Islam Seraj scored twice (22', 57') as Al-Ahli Saudi FC dominated El Jaish 4-1 on the road.  Despite the defeat the Qatari club still locked up a berth in the knockout stage.

Group D Standings:

1. x-El Jaish (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 10)
2.    Al-Ain (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
3.    Al-Ahli Saudi FC (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
4.    Nasaf Qarshi (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 5)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage



GROUP G:

At Osaka, Japan:

Natanael de Sousa Santos Junior scored twice (49, PK-57') as Suwon Samsung Bluewings knocked Gamba Osaka out of the tournament with a 2-1 road victory.

At Shanghai, China:

Elkeson scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 40th minute as Shanghai SIPG locked up top spot in Group G with their 3-1 home win over the Melbourne Victory.

Group G Standings:

1. y-Shanghai SIPG (GP: 5; GD: +5; PTS: 12)
2.    Melbourne Victory (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
3.    Suwon Samsung Bluewings (GP: 5; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
4. z-Gamba Osaka (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 2)

y-Clinched Group G title and berth in knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament

NOTE:  Melbourne Victory and Suwon Samsung Bluewings battled to two draws, with the Australian club gaining a 1-1 road draw in their second meeting in South Korea on April 6.  The two clubs battled to a scoreless stalemate in Australia on March 15.



GROUP H:

At Pohang, South Korea

In the lone Tuesday match in Group H, Ricaro Goulart (33') and Gao Lin (47') each scored a goal as Guangzhou Evergrande blanked Pohang Steelers 2-0 on the road.  The victory for the Chinese club clinched a knockout-stage berth for Sydney FC.

Sunday, April 17, 2016

MLS: Late Controversial PK Lifts Revs To Road Draw With Lions; Hoops Grab Home Win Over SKC

Two games were contested on Sunday in Major League Soccer.

At Orlando, Florida:

Lee Nguyen converted a controversially-awarded penalty kick in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time to carry the New England Revolution to a 2-2 road draw with Orlando City.  Teal Bunbury scored for the Revs in the 37th minute while the Lions' goals came courtesy of Kaka (2') and Kevin Molino (90'+2). 

At Frisco, Texas:

Sub Mauro Rosales scored the winning goal on a free kick in the 68th minute as FC Dallas battled from behind to upend visiting Sporting Kansas City 2-1.



MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

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

NOTES: With Philadelphia and Orlando City level on points with nine, the Union have more wins (three) than the Lions (two); with New York City, Chicago, and DC United level on points (6) and wins (1), the Fire and Citizens have better goal differential (-1) than DC (-3); New York City have scored more goals than Chicago (9-6).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   FC Dallas (GP: 8; GD: +5; PTS: 17)
2.   Real Salt Lake (GP: 6; GD: +4; PTS: 14)
3.   Colorado (GP: 7; GD: +2; PTS: 13)
4.   Kansas City (GP: 7; GD: +2; PTS: 12)
5.   Los Angeles (GP: 6; GD: +7; PTS: 11)
6.   San Jose (GP: 7; GD: 0; PTS: 11)
7.   Portland (GP: 7; GD: -3; PTS: 8)
8.   Seattle (GP: 6; GD: -1; PTS: 7)
9.   Vancouver (GP: 7; GD: -5; PTS: 7)
10. Houston (GP: 6; GD: 0; PTS: 5)

NOTES: With Los Angeles and San Jose level on points (11) and wins (3), the Galaxy have the superior goal differential (+7 to the Earthquakes' 0); with Seattle and Vancouver level on points (7) and wins (2), the Sounders have the superior goal differential (-1, to the Whitecaps' -5).

OFC Champions League: Auckland City Top Amicale, Advance To Semis

Two games, both in Group A, were contested on Sunday at QBE Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand as group-stage action in the OFC Champions League concluded.

In the opener, Jerry Donga scored twice (59', 87') as Solomon Warriors defeated Papua New Guinea's Lae City Dwellers 5-4 in an entertaining tournament swan song for both clubs.

In the nightcap, Darren White (71'), Ryan De Vries (90'), and Joao Moreira (90'+4) each scored a goal as Auckland City came from behind to defeat Amicale FC 3-1 to lay claim to the Group A title and a berth in the semifinal round.

Final Group A Standings:

1. Auckland City (GP: 3; GD: +7; PTS: 9)
2. Amicale FC (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
3. Solomon Warriors (GP: 3; GD: -6; PTS: 3)
4. Lae City Dwellers (GP: 3; GD: -5; PTS: 0)

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

Semifinal match-ups:

Both contests are scheduled to be played at Auckland's QBE Stadium this coming Wednesday.

Auckland City (New Zealand) vs. AS Tefana (Tahiti; qualified as the second-placed club with the best record)

Team Wellington (New Zealand) vs. AS Magenta (New Caledonia)



The semifinal winners will meet this coming Saturday at QBE Stadium in the one-match final with the winner advancing to the FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place this coming December in Japan.