CONCACAF: Despite Losing, Xelaju Advance To Knockoff Stage As Group-Stage Play Ends

Two games were played on Thursday as group-stage play in the CONCACAF Champions League came to a close.

Group Five:

At Metapan, El Salvador:

John McBean scored twice (38', 62') and Michael Stephens scored the winning goal in the 79th minute as the Los Angeles Galaxy won a see-saw battle with Isidro Metapan 3-2 on the road.

FINAL GROUP FIVE STANDINGS:

1. Los Angeles Galaxy (GP: 4; GD: +8; PTS: 10)
2. Puerto Rico Islanders (GP: 4; GD: -3; PTS: 4)
3. Isidro Metapan (GP: 4; GD: -5; PTS: 3)

The Los Angeles Galaxy won Group Five and advanced to the quarterfinal round



Group Eight:

At Zapopan, Mexico:

Jesus Sanchez (43') and Luis Morales (65') each scored a goal as Chivas de Guadalajara held off visiting Xelaju 2-1.  Since they did not lose by at least two goals or by a score of 1-0, the visiting Guatemalan club won Group Eight and advanced to the quarterfinal round.

FINAL GROUP EIGHT STANDINGS:

1. CSD Xelaju Mario Camposeco (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 7)                                                                                                    
2. Chivas de Guadalajara (GP: 4; GD: +4; PTS; 7) 
3. W Connection (GP: 4; GD: -5; PTS: 2)

CSD Xelaju won Group Eight and advanced to the quarterfinal round

The knockout stage will start with the opening match of each of the four series in the quarterfinal round.

The opening matches will take place between March 5 and 7 with the return contests taking place the following week.

Here are the matchups with the host club of the opening contest listed first:

UANL Tigres vs. Seattle Sounders FC

Houston Dynamo vs. Santos Laguna

Herediano vs. Los Angeles Galaxy

CSD Xelaju vs. Monterrey

Here are the match-ups for the semifinal round (opening contests to take place from April 2 to 4 with the return matches the following week) with the home club for the opening game of each of the two two-match series listed first:

Herediano-Los Angeles winner vs. Xelaju-Monterrey winner

Tigres-Seattle winner vs. Houston-Santos Laguna winner

The two match final will open up on April 24 at the home of the Tigres-Sounders FC vs. Dynamo-Santos Laguna winner with game two to take place at the home of the Herediano-Galaxy vs. Xelaju-Monterrey winner.