Friday, September 30, 2016

MLS: David Villa Propels Citizens Past Dynamo And To Top Of East Standings

At Houston:

In the lone Friday Major League Soccer contest, David Villa scored twice (52', 90'+1) as New York City blanked the Houston Dynamo 2-0 on the road and reclaimed top spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

Cincinnati

Candidate for MLS expansion?

Thursday, September 29, 2016

CONCACAF Champions League: Honduran Clubs Stay Alive

Two games were contested in the CONCACAF Champions League on Thursday.

GROUP A:

At San Pedro Sula, Honduras:

Victor Moncada scored the only goal of the match in the 18th minute as Honduras Progreso kept their quarterfinal-round hopes alive after defeating visiting W Connection 1-0, thus ousting the Trinidadian club from the tournament.

Group A Standings:

1.    Honduras Progreso (GP: 4; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
2.    Pumas UNAM (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
3. z-W Connection (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP E:

At Belmopan, Belize:

Carlo Costly scored twice (10', 69') as CD Olimpia demolished Police United 5-1 on the road to drop the curtin on an abysmal group-stage campaign for the club from Belize while the Honduran club stayed alive in its' effort to qualify for the knockout stage.

Group E Standings:

1.    Pachuca (GP: 3; GD: +15; PTS: 9)
2.    CD Olimpia (GP: 3; GD: +7; PTS: 6)
3. z-Police United (GP: 4; GD: -22; PTS: 0)

z-Eliminated from tournament

Europa League

Group-stage play in the Europa League resumed on Thursday with 24 games.

GROUP A:

At Istanbul, Turkey:

Emmanuel Emenike scored the only goal of the match in the 18th minute as Fenerbahce defeated visiting Feyenoord Rotterdam 1-0.

At Manchester, England:

Zlatan Ibrahamivoic scored the only goal of Manchester United's 1-0 home win over Zorya Luhansk in the 69th minute.

Group A Standings:

1. Fenerbahce (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
2. Feyenoord Rotterdam (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. Manchester United (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. FC Zorya Luhansk (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)

NOTE:  Feyenoord defeated Manchester United 1-0 at home on September 15.



GROUP B:

At Astana, Kazakhstan:

Astana and visiting BSC Young Boys battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

At Piraeus, Greece:

Pieros Sotiriou scored the only goal of the match in the 10th minute as APOEL FC defeated Olympiacos 1-0 on the road.

Group B Standings:

1. APOEL FC (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Olympiacos (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. Astana (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
4. BSC Young Boys (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)



GROUP C:

At Baku, Azerbaijan:

Levin Oztunali scored the winning goal in the 78th minute as FSV Mainz 05 knocked off Gabala 3-2 on the road.

At Saint-Etienne, France:

Nolan Roux delivered the stoppage-time equalizer (90'+4) as Saint-Etienne salvaged a 1-1 home draw with RSC Anderlecht.  Youri Tielemans successfully converted a penalty kick in the 62nd minute for the Belgian club.

Group C Standings:

1. RSC Anderlecht (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
2. FSV Mainz 05 (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. Saint-Etienne (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
4. Gabala (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 0)



GROUP D:

At Saint Petersburg, Russia:

Aleksandr Kokorin scored twice (26', 59') as Zenit Saint Petersburg destroyed visiting AZ Alkmaar 5-0.

At Dublin, Ireland:

Ciaran Kilduf scored the only goal of the match in the 72nd minute as Dundalk knocked off visiting Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0.

Group D Standings:

1. Zenit Saint Petersburg (GP: 2; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
2. Dundalk FC (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. AZ Alkmaar (GP: 2; GD: -5; PTS: 1)
4. Maccabi Tel Aviv (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)



GROUP E:

At Vienna, Austria:

FC Viktoria Plzen gained a 0-0 road deadlock with Austria Vienna.

At Rome:

Kevin Strootman (15'), Federico Fazio (45'+2), Fabricio Silva Dornellas (OG-47'), and Mohamed Salah (55') each scored once as AS Roma demolished visiting Astra Giurgiu 4-0.

Group E Standings:

1. AS Roma (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 4)
2. Austria Vienna (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. FC Viktoria Plzen (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
4. FC Astra Giurgiu (GP: 2; GD: -5; PTS: 0)



GROUP F:

At Bilbao, Spain:

Banat Etxebarria scored the game's lone goal in the 59th minute as Athletic Bilbao defeated visiting Rapid Vienna 1-0.

At Genk, Belgium:

Leon Bailey scored the winning goal in the 25th minute as KRC Genk defeated visiting Sassuolo 3-1.

Group F Standings:

1. KRC Genk (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
2. Sassuolo (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Rapid Vienna (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Athletic Bilbao (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 3)

NOTE:   KRC Genk defeated visiting Sassuolo 3-1 on Thursday.



GROUP G:

At Amsterdam, Netherlands:

Kasper Dolberg scored the only goal of the match as Ajax Amsterdam defeated visiting Standard Liege 1-0.

At Vigo, Spain:

John Guidetti (84') and Daniel Wass (89') provided the late scoring as Celta Vigo blanked visiting Panathinaikos 2-0.

Group G Standings:

1. Ajax Amsterdam (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Celta Vigo (GP: 2; GP: +2; PTS: 4)
3. Standard Liege (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
4. Panathinaikos (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 0)



GROUP H:

At Ghent, Belgium:

Kenny Sayef (17') and Renato Neto (33') produced the goals that carried KAA Gent to a 2-0 home victory over Konysapor.

At Lviv, Ukraine:

In a match played at Lviv due to ongoing war conditions in Eastern Ukraine,  Taras Stepanenko (5') and Viktor Kovalenko (56') each scored once as Shakhtar Donetsk blanked visiting SC Braga 2-0.

Group H Standings:

1. Shakhtar Donetsk (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
2. KAA Gent (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
3. SC Braga (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
4. Konysapor (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 0)



GROUP I:

At Gelsenkirchen, Germany:

Leon Goretzka (15'), Duje Caleta-Car (OG-47'), and Benedikt Howedes (58') produced the goals as Schalke 04 defeated visiting FC Red Bull Salzburg 3-1.

At Krasnodar, Russia:

Joaozinho (33', PK-65') and Ariclenes da Silva Ferreria (86', 90'+3) each scored twice as FC Kraznodar dominated visiting Nice 5-2.

Group I Standings:

1. FC Krasnodar (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
2. FC Schalke 04 (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
3. FC Red Bull Salzburg (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 0)
4. OGC Nice (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)



GROUP J:

At Florence, Italy:

Khouma Babacar (39', 45'+2) and Mauro Zarate (63', 78') each scored twice as Fiorentina demolished visiting Qarabag 5-1.

At Liberec, Czech Republic:

Stefanos Athanasiadis scored twice (PK-10', 82') as carry PAOK FC to a 2-1 road victory over FC Slovan Liberec.

Group J Standings:

1. Fiorentina (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 4)
2. PAOK FC (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. FC Slovan Liberec (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
4. Qarabag (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 1)



GROUP K:

At Prague, Czech Republic:

Vaclav Kadlec scored twice (PK-5', 27') as Sparta Prague knocked off visiting Inter Milan 3-1.

At Beersheba, Israel:

Hapoel Be'er Sheva and visiting Southampton battled to a 0-0 draw.

Group K Standings:

1. Southampton (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 4)
2. Hapoel Be'er Sheva (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
3. Sparta Prague (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. Inter Milan (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)



GROUP L:

At Zurich, Switzerland:

Dzengis Cavusevic scored the winning goal in the 79th minute as FC Zurich (now playing in Switzerland's second division after being relegated last season from the Super League) knocked off visiting Osmanlispor 2-1.

At Bucharest, Romania:

Muniru Sulley's equalizer in the 19th minute carried Steaua Bucharest to a 1-1 home draw with Villarreal.  Rafael Santos Borre tallied for the Yellow Submarine in the ninth minute.

Group L Standings:

1. Villarreal (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
2. FC Zurich (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. Osmanlispor (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
4. Steaua Bucharest (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS; 1)

NOTE:  FC Zurich defeated visiting Osmanlispor 2-1 on Thursday.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

MLS: DCU, Impact, Sounders (Who Eliminate Fire From Playoff Contention) Garner Wednesday Wins; Matching Goose Eggs For Reds And Lions In Toronto

Four games were contested in Major League Soccer on Wednesday night.

At Toronto:

Ten-man Toronto FC and visiting Orlando City battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

At Montreal:

Dominic Oduro (22'), Ignacio Piatti (37'), and Johan Venegas (90'+2) each scored once as the Montreal Impact defeated the visiting San Jose Earthquakes 3-1.  The Quakes' Chris Wondolowski (who scored in the 62nd minute) had a chance to tie the match in the 87th minute, but Impact goalkeeper Devin Bush saved his penalty kick.

At Washington:

Lloyd Sam (71'), Lamar Neagle (86'), and Alvaro Saborio (90') each scored a goal in the final half-hour as DC United dominated the visiting Columbus Crew 3-0.

At Seattle:

Chad Marshall scored the only goal of the match in the 24th minute as the Seattle Sounders moved into the Western Conference's final playoff spot after their 1-0 home victory over the Chicago Fire, who became the first club to be eliminated from playoff contention.



MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   x-Toronto FC (GP: 31; GD: +12; PTS: 49)
2.   x-New York Red Bulls (GP: 31; GD: +13; PTS: 48)
3.   x-New York City FC (GP: 31; GD: +2; PTS: 48)
4.      Philadelphia (GP: 31; GD: +2; PTS: 42)
5.      Montreal (GP: 31; GD: -2; PTS: 41)
6.      DC United (GP: 31; GD: +5; PTS: 40)
7.      New England (GP: 31; GD: -14; PTS: 36)
8.      Orlando City SC (GP: 31; GD: -8; PTS: 35)
9.      Columbus (GP: 30; GD: -7; PTS: 32)
10. z-Chicago (GP: 30; GD: -13; PTS: 27)

x-Clinched playoff berth

z-Eliminated from playoff contention

NOTE: With the New York Red Bulls and New York City level on points (48) and wins (13), the Red Bulls have a decided goal differential advantage (+13, to the Citizens' +2).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   x-FC Dallas (GP: 31; GD: +8; PTS: 53)
2.      Colorado (GP: 29; GD: +5; PTS: 48)
3.      Los Angeles (GP: 31; GD: +15; PTS: 48)
4.      Real Salt Lake (GP: 31; GD: 0; PTS: 45)
5.      Kansas City (GP: 31; GD: +1; PTS: 43)
6.      Seattle (GP: 30; GD: 0; PTS: 41)
7.      Portland (GP: 31; GD: -2; PTS: 41)
8.      Vancouver (GP: 31; GD: -9; PTS: 35)
9.      San Jose (GP: 30; GD: -6; PTS: 34)
10.    Houston (GP: 29; GD: -2; PTS: 32)

x-Clinched playoff berth

NOTES:  With Colorado and Los Angeles level on points with 48, the Rapids have more wins than the Galaxy (12-11); with Seattle and Portland level on points with 41, the Sounders have more wins than the Timbers (12-11).


CONCACAF Champions League: Whitecaps Roll; Hoops Held To Scoreless Draw By Suchitepequez; Plaza Amador Knock Off Tigres; Striped Gang Dominate Don Bosco

Four games in the CONCACAF Champions League were contested on Wednesday.

GROUP C:

At Vancouver, British Columbia:

Cristian Techera scored twice (PK-22', 70') as the Vancouver Whitecaps, who already locked up a berth in the knockout stage, dominated visiting Central FC 4-1.

Group C Standings:

1. y-Vancouver Whitecaps (GP: 4; GD: +8; PTS: 12)
2. z-Sporting Kansas City (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 1)
3. z-Central FC (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 1)

y-Won Group C and clinched berth in quarterfinal round

z-Eliminated from tournament

NOTE: Sporting Kansas City gained a 2-2 road draw with Central FC on August 16.



GROUP D:

At Guadalupe, Mexico:

Angel Lopez (19'), Aldo de Nigris (43'), and Josue Misael Dominguez (51') each scored once as Monterrey dominated visiting Don Bosco FC 3-0 in a battle of eliminated clubs.

Group D Standings:

1. y-Arabe Unido (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 9)
2. z-Monterrey (GP: 4; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
3. z-Don Bosco FC (GP: 3; GD: -9; PTS: 0)

y-Won Group D and clinched berth in quarterfinal round

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP G:

At Panama City, Panama:

Ricaurte Barsallo scored the only goal of the match in the 37th minute as Plaza Amador, already eliminated from the tournament, prevented Tigres from clinching a quarterfinal-round berth by knocking off the Mexican club 1-0 at home.

Group C Standings;

1.    UANL Tigres (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
2.    CS Herediano (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
3. z-Plaza Amador (GP: 4; GD: -5; PTS: 4)

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP H:

At Frisco, Texas:

FC Dallas and visiting CD Suchitepequez battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

Group H Standings:

1.    FC Dallas (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
2.    CD Suchitepequez (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
3. z-Real Esteli FC (GP: 4; GD: -2; PTS: 2)

z-Eliminated from tournament

NOTE:  FC Dallas and visiting CD Suchitepequez played to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday.

UEFA Champions League, Group D: Mattress Makers Get Better Of Bayern; Rostov and PSV Draw in Russia

Two games in Group D of the UEFA Champions League are scheduled for Wednesday with the hosts listed first and kickoff times set for 11:45 AM Pacific Time.

At Madrid:

Yannick Carrasco scored the only goal of the match in the 35th minute as Atletico Madrid continued Bayern Munich's Champions League's woes on Spanish soil 1-0.  Here's ol' Yannick battling Bayern's Javi Martinez (right) for the ball.

Associated Press photo by Daniel Ochoa de Olza

At Rostov-on-Don, Russia:

Dmitry Poloz scored twice (8', 37') as FC Rostov gained their first-ever Champions League point with a 2-2 home draw with PSV Eindhoven.  Davy Propper (14') and Luuk de Jong (45'+1) each scored a goal for the Dutch champions. Here's PSV goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet in action.

Associated Press photo

Group D Standings:

1. Atletico Madrid (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Bayern Munich (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 3)
3. PSV Eindhoven (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
4. FC Rostov (GP: 2; GD: -5; PTS: 1)

UEFA Champions League, Group C: Barca Battle Back To Overtake Gladbach; Bhoys Battle Citizens To 3-3 Draw In Glasgow

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

At Monchengladbach, Germany:

Arda Turan (65', that him celebrating with teammates after scoring) and Gerard Pique (74') each scored once as Barcelona came from behind to overtake Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1 on the road.

Getty Images photo

At Glasgow, Scotland:

Fernandinho (12'), Raheem Sterling (28'), and Nolito (55') each scored once for Manchester City as the visitors gained a 3-3 draw with Celtic.  Moussa Debele scored twice (3', 47') and Raheem Sterling (!) once (OG-20') for the Bhoys.  Here's Citizens manager Pep Guardiola giving instructions to his charges.

PA photo via Associated Press by Jane Barlow

Group C Standings:

1. Barcelona (GP: 2; GD: +8; PTS: 6)
2. Manchester City (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 4)
3. Celtic (GP: 2; GD: -7; PTS: 1)
4. Borussia Monchengladbach (GP: 2; GD: -5; PTS: 0)

UEFA Champions League, Group B: Dynamo Kiev Gain Road Draw Against Black Eagles; Light Blues Double Up Eagles

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

At Istanbul, Turkey:

Viktor Tsyhankov's equalizer  at 65 minutes lifted Dynamo Kiev to a 1-1 road draw with Besiktas.  Ricardo Quaresma scored in the 29th minute for the Black Eagles.  Here's Viktor, celebrating with teammates after tallying his game-tying goal.

Associated Press photo

At Naples, Italy:

Dries Mertens scored twice (51', 58') as Napoli doubled up visiting SL Benfica 4-2.  In the above photo, we see the Light Blues' Jose Callejon battling the visiting Eagles' Alex Grimaldo for the ball.

ANSA photo by Ciro Fusco via the Associated Press

Group B Standings:

1. Napoli (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
2. Besiktas (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
3. Dynamo Kiev (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
4. SL Benfica (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)

UEFA Champions League, Group A: Gunners, PSG, Each Win By Two-Goal Margins

Eight games, with two of them in Group A, were contested on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League.

At Sofia, Bulgaria:

Edinson Cavani scored twice (56', 60', that's him celebrating) as Paris Saint-Germain defeated Ludogorets Razgrad 3-1 on the road.

Associated Press photo by Valentina Petrova

At London:

Theo Walcott scored both goals (7', 26') in the first half-hour of Arsenal's 2-0 home blanking of FC Basel.  Here's Theo, challenging the Swiss club's Adama Traore (center) during the match.

Associated press photo

Group A Standings:

1. Arsenal (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
2. Paris Saint-Germain (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
3. Ludogorets Razgrad (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)
4. FC Basel (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 1)

NOTES:  Arsenal and Ludogorets gained 1-1 road draws against Paris Saint-Germain and FC Basel respectively on September 13.

AFC Champions League: Leonardo Hellps Jenobuk Motors Dominate FC Seoul In Semifinal Series Opener

At Jeonju, South Korea:

Leonardo Rodriguez Pereira scored twice (PK-22', 40') on Wednesday as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors dominated visiting FC Seoul 4-1 in the opening contest of an AFC Champions League semifinal series.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Geraldo's New Gig

And we ain't talkin' about Mr. Rivera either.

AFC Champions League: Al-Ain Take Semifinal Series Opener

At Al Ain, United Arab Emirates:

Goals from Douglas (16'), Omar Abdulrahman (21'), and Ciao Lucas Fernandes (90'+1) carried Al-Ain to a 3-1 Tuesday series-opening victory over visiting El Jaish in the semifinal round of the AFC Champions League.

CONCACAF Champions League: Red Bulls Advance To Quarterfinals; Timbers Stun Dragon Late On Road To Stay Alive

The CONCACAF Champions League resum group-stage play with two games on Tuesday.  

GROUP B:

At San Salvador, El Salvador:

Fanendo Adi (79') and Darlington Nagbe (90') each scored a late goal as the Portland Timbers came from behind to do something they still haven't done this season in league play----win on the road---by upending CD Dragon 2-1.

Group B Standings:

1.    Deportivo Saprissa (GP: 3; GD: +8; PTS: 7)
2.    Portland Timbers (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
3. z-CD Dragon (GP: 4; GD: -8; PTS: 1)

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP F:

At Guatemala City:

A 0-0 stalemate on the road against Antigua GFC locked up the Group F title and a berth in the quarterfinal round for the New York Red Bulls.

Group F Standings:

1. x-New York Red Bulls (GP: 4; GD: +4; PTS: 8)
2. x-Antigua GFC (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 2)
3. z-Alianza FC (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 2)

x-Won Group F and clinched berth in quarterfinal round

z-Eliminated from tournament

NOTE:  Antigua gained a 1-1 road draw with Alianza on August 23.

UEFA Champions League, Group H: Tuesday Wins For Sevilla, Juve

Two UEFA Champions League contests will be played on Tuesday in Group H.  Kickoff times are set for 11:45 AM Pacific Time with the hosts listed first.

At Seville, Spain:

Wissam Ben Yedder (that's him celebrating) scored the only goal of the match as Sevilla defeated visiting Lyon 1-0.

Associated Press photo by Miguel Angel Morenatti

At Zagreb, Croatia:

Miralem Pjanic (24'), Gonzalo Higuain (31'), Paulo Dybala (57'), and Adrian Semper (OG-85') each scored once as Juventus demolished Dinamo Zagreb 4-0 on the road.  It appears that Dinamo head coach (or manager) Zlatko Kranjcar had better nights.

Associated Press photo by Darko Bandic

Group H Standings:

1. Juventus (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 4)
2. Sevilla (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. Lyon (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
4. Dinamo Zagreb (GP: 2; GD: -7; PTS: 0)

UEFA Champions League, Group G: Lions, Foxes Come Up Winners

Two Group G games are set to be contested on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League.  The hosts are listed first with kickoff times set for 11:45 AM Pacific Time.

At Copenhagen, Denmark:

Stefano Denswil (OG-53'), Thomas Delaney (64'), Federico Santander (69', that's him celebrating while a dejected Stefan Denswil looks on), and Mathias Jorgensen (90'+2) each scored once as FC Copenhagen demolished visiting Club Brugge 4-0.

Polfoto photo (via Associated Press) by Jens Dresling

At Leicester, England:

Islam Slimani scored the only goal of the match in the 25th minute as Leicester City defeated visiting FC Porto 1-0.  Here's a reaction by visiting Dragons (and ex-Real Madrid) goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Associated Press photo by Rui Vieira

Group G Standings:

1. Leicester City (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
2. FC Copenhagen (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 4)
3. FC Porto (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
4. Club Brugge (GP: 2; GD: -7; PTS: 0)

UEFA Champions League, Group F: Dortmund Gain Home Draw With Galacticos; Lions Blank Legia At Home

Two Group F games are on the Tuesday UEFA Champions League with the hosts listed first and kickoff time set for 11:45 AM Pacific Time.

At Dortmund, Germany:
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo scores the opening
Goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (43') and Andre Schurrle (87') carried Borussia Dortmund to a 2-2 home draw with Real Madrid.  Cristiano Ronaldo (17', shown here) and Raphael Varane (68') each scored once for the defending champs.

Associated Press photo by Michael Probst

At Lisbon, Portugal:

Bryan Ruiz (28') and Bas Dost (37') each scored a goal as Sporting CP blanked visiting Legia Warsaw 2-0.  Here, we see the Lions' Jefferson (left) falling over Legia's Bartosz Bereszynski as the two battle for the ball.

Associated Press photo by Armando Franca

Group F Standings:

1.  Real Madrid (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
2.  Borussia Dortmund (GP: 2; GD: +6; PTS: 4)
3.  Sporting CP (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
4.  Legia Warsaw (GP: 2; GD: -8; PTS: 0)

UEFA Champions League, Group E: Spurs Top Horses In Moscow; Late Goal Gains Home Draw For Monaco

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

At Fontvieille, Monaco:
Glik grabs draw for Monaco against Leverkusen
Kamil Glik's late equalizer (90'+4, that's him celebrating with teammates) enabled AS Monaco to salvage a 1-1 home draw with Bayer Leverkusen.  Javier Hernandez scored for the German club in the 73rd minute.

Photo from UEFA website

At Moscow:

Son Heung-min scored the only goal of Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 road in over CSKA Moscow in the 71st minute.  Here, we see the Horses' Roman Eremenko (left) struggling for the ball against Spurs' Dele.

Associated Press photo by Ivan Sekretarev

Group E Standings:

1. AS Monaco (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
2. Tottenham Hotspur (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. Bayer Leverkusen (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 2)
4. CSKA Moscow (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)

Sunday, September 25, 2016

MLS: Sunday Wins For Sounders, Crew

Two games were contested on Sunday in Major League Soccer.

At Carson, California:

Jordan Morris scored twice in the second half (63', 74') as the Seattle Sounders knocked off the Los Angeles Galaxy 4-2 on the road, keeping their playoff hopes alive while preventing the hosts from locking up a postseason berth.

At Columbus, Ohio:

Ola Kamara scored twice (42', PK-84') in the Columbus Crew's 2-0 home blanking of the New England Revolution.



MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   x-New York Red Bulls (GP: 31; GD: +13; PTS: 48)
2.   x-Toronto FC (GP: 30; GD: +12; PTS: 48)
3.   x-New York City FC (GP: 31; GD: +2; PTS: 48)
4.      Philadelphia (GP: 31; GD: +2; PTS: 42)
5.      Montreal (GP: 30; GD: -4; PTS: 38)
6.      DC United (GP: 30; GD: +2; PTS: 37)
7.      New England (GP: 31; GD: -14; PTS: 36)
8.      Orlando City SC (GP: 30; GD: -8; PTS: 34)
9.      Columbus (GP: 29; GD: -4; PTS: 32)
10.    Chicago (GP: 29; GD: -12; PTS: 27)

x-Clinched playoff berth

NOTE:  With the New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC, and New York City FC all level on both points (48) and wins (13), the Red Bulls have the best goal differential amongst the three clubs (+13, compared to the Reds' +12 and Citizens' +2).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   x-FC Dallas (GP: 31; GD: +8; PTS: 53)
2.      Colorado (GP: 29; GD: +5; PTS: 48)
3.      Los Angeles (GP: 31; GD: +15; PTS: 48)
4.      Real Salt Lake (GP: 31; GD: 0; PTS: 45)
5.      Kansas City (GP: 31; GD: +1; PTS: 43)
6.      Portland (GP: 31; GD: -2; PTS: 41)
7.      Seattle (GP: 29; GD: -1; PTS: 38)
8.      Vancouver (GP: 31; GD: -9; PTS: 35)
9.      San Jose (GP: 29; GD: -4; PTS: 34)
10.    Houston (GP: 29; GD: -2; PTS: 32)

x-Clinched playoff berth

NOTE: With Colorado and Los Angeles level on points with 48, the Rapids have more wins than the Galaxy (12-11).