Sunday, April 30, 2017

MLS: DCU Overcome The ATL On The Road

At Atlanta:

Luciano Acosta scored the winning goal in the 36th minute as DC United came from behind to upend Atlanta United 3-1 on the road in the lone Sunday Major League Soccer contest.

MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   Orlando City SC (GP: 7; GD: +5; PTS: 18)
2.   New York Red Bulls (GP: 9; GD: +1; PTS: 16)
3.   New York City FC (GP: 8; GD: +5; PTS: 13)
4.   Columbus (GP: 9; GD: 0; PTS: 13)
5.   Toronto FC (GP: 8: GD: +5; PTS: 13)
6.   Atlanta United FC (GP: 8; GD: +7: PTS: 11)
7.   Chicago (GP: 8; GD: -1; PTS: 11)
8.   DC United (GP: 8; GD: -4; PTS: 11)
9.   New England (GP: 9; GD: 0; PTS: 10)
10. Montreal (GP: 8; GD: -3; PTS: 7)
11. Philadelphia (GP: 8; GD: -6; PTS: 4)

NOTES:  With New York City, Columbus, and Toronto level on points with 13, the Citizens and Crew each have four wins, compared to three for the Reds; New York City have the superior goal differential compared to Columbus (+5 to 0); with Atlanta United, Chicago, and DC United level on points (11) and wins (3), the ATL have the best goal differential amongst the three clubs (+7, compared to the Fire's -1 and DC's -4).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   Portland (GP: 9; GD: +8; PTS: 17)
2.   Kansas City (GP: 8; GD: +6; PTS: 15)
3.   FC Dallas (GP: 7; GD: +5; PTS: 15)
4.   Houston (GP: 8; GD: +2; PTS: 13)
5.   San Jose (GP: 9; GD: -1; PTS: 12)
6.   Vancouver (GP: 8; GD: -3; PTS: 10)
7.   Seattle (GP: 8; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
8.   Real Salt Lake (GP: 9; GD: -6; PTS: 8)
9.   Minnesota United FC (GP: 9; GD: -12; PTS: 8)
10. Los Angeles (GP: 8; GD: -5; PTS: 7)
11. Colorado (GP: 7; GD: -6; PTS: 4)

NOTES:  With Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas level on points (15) and wins (4), SKC have the superior goal differential (+6, compared to the Hoops' +5); with Vancouver and Seattle level on points with 10, the Whitecaps have three wins, compared to the Sounders' two; with Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United level on points (8) and wins (2), RSL have the superior goal differential (-6, compared to -12 for the Loons).

Saturday, April 29, 2017

MLS: Caps, Lions, Citizens, Red Bulls, RSL, Quakes, SKC Grab Saturday Wins; Timbers And Hoops Battle To 2-2 Draw; Sounders Erase Three-Goal Deficit To Gain Home Draw With Revs; Goose Eggs For Galaxy And Philly

Nine games were on the Major League Soccer docket for Saturday.

At Montreal:

Andrew Jacobson (29') and Cristian Techera (79') each scored once as the Vancouver Whitecaps came from behind to knockoff the Montreal Impact 2-1 on the road.

At Orlando, Florida:

Carlos Rivas (70') and the returning Kaka (90'+1) each scored once as Orlando City blanked the visiting Colorado Rapids 2-0.

At Columbus, Ohio:

Jack Harrison scored twice (8', 76') as New York City defeated the Columbus Crew 3-2 on the road.

At Harrison, New Jersey:

Bradley Wright-Phillips (37') and Kemar Lawrence (71') delivered the goal power that lifted the New York Red Bulls to a 2-1 home win over the Chicago Fire.

At Frisco, Texas:

Goals from Maximiliano Urruti (61') and Tesho Akindele (80') enabled FC Dallas remain unbeaten as the Hoops gained a 2-2 home draw with the Portland Timbers.  Fanendo Adi (30') and Sebastian Blanco (71') produced the guests' goals.

At Minneapolis:

Florian Jungwirth scored the only goal of the match in the 54th minute as the San Jose Earthquakes defeated Minnesota United 1-0 on the road.

At Kansas City, Kansas:

Benny Feilhaber (17'), Dom Dwyer (51'), and Gerso (90'+5) each tallied once as Sporting Kansas City stretched their club-record unbeaten streak to 13 games with their 3-0 white-washing of Real Salt Lake.

At Seattle:

Nicolas Lodeiro (75'), Will Bruin (85'), and Osvaldo Alonso (88') each scored a second half goal during a 13-minute span as the Seattle Sounders erased a three-goal deficit to gain a 3-3 home draw with the New England Revolution.

Juan Agudelo scored twice (26', 54') and Daigo Kobayashi once (15') for the Revs.

At Carson, California:

The Los Angeles Galaxy and visiting (and still winless) Philadelphia Union battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

Friday, April 28, 2017

MLS: Jozy Makes Things Rosy For Toronto FC As Reds Blank Dynamo

At Toronto:

In the lone Friday Major League Soccer contest, Jozy Altidore scored both goals (16', 32') in Toronto FC's 2-0 blanking of the visiting Houston Dynamo.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Copa Libertadores

Group-stage play in the Copa Libertadores continued on Thursday with five games.

GROUP THREE:

At Guayaquil, Ecuador:

Lucas Alario scored the winning goal in the 90th minute as River Plate defeated Club Sport Emelec 2-1 on the road.



GROUP SIX:

At Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia:

Juan Fernando Garro scored the winning goal in the 65th minute as Godoy Cruz held off Sport Boys 3-1 on the road.

Group Six Standings:

1. Godoy Cruz (GP: 4; GD: +5; PTS: 10)
2. Atletico Mineiro (GP: 4; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
3. Club Libertad (GP: 4; GD: -2; PTS: 4)
4. Sport Boys (GP: 4; GD: -7; PTS: 1)



GROUP SEVEN:

At Montevideo, Uruguay:

Kevin Ramirez (17'), Rodrigo Aguirre (49'), and Tabare Viudez (80') each scored once as Club Nacional dominated visiting Chapecoense 3-0.

At Maracaibo, Venezuela:

Jose Sand delivered the equalizer in the 62nd minute that lifted Club Atlerico Lanus to a 1-1 road draw with Zulia FC.  Daniel Ravillo scored for the hosts in the 34th minute.

Group Seven Standings:

1. Club Atletico Lanus (GP: 4; GD: +6; PTS: 7)
2. Club Nacional (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
3. Chapecoense (GP: 4; GD: -4; PTS: 4)
4. Zulia FC (GP: 4; GD: -5; PTS: 4)



GROUP EIGHT:

At Porto Alegre, Brazil:

Lucas Barrios produced a hat trick (7', 27', 78') as Gremio dominated visiting Club Guarani 4-1.

Group Eight Standings:

1.    Gremio (GP: 4; GD: +6; PTS: 10) 
2.    Club Guarani (GP: 4; GD: 0; PTS: 7)
3.    Deportes Iquique (GP: 4; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
4. z-Zamora FC (GP: 4; GD: -8; PTS: 0)

z-Eliminated from tournament but still alive for a berth in the Copa Sudamericana

PACHUCA BEATS TIGRES FOR FOURTH CONCACAF CLUB TITLE-THEIR FIRST SINCE 2010

At Pachuca, Mexico:

Franco Jara scored the only goal in the 83rd minute as Pachuca defeated visiting Tigres 1-0 in game two of the CONCACAF Champions League final on Wednesday and won their first regional club title since 2010, their tenth overall, 2-1 on aggregate.

The Gophers will represent CONCACAF in December's FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in the United Arab Emirates.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

CAF Champions League Group-Stage Draw

The draw for the CAF Champions League's group stage took place at Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday.

Here are the eight four-team groups.

GROUP A:

Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)

Al-Hilal Omdurman (Sudan)

Al-Merrikh (Sudan)

Ferroviario Beira (Mozambique)



GROUP B:

Zamalek (Egypt)

USM Alger (Algeria)

Al-Ahli Tripoli (Libya)

CAPS United (Zimbabwe)



GROUP C:

Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa; defending champions)

Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia)

AS Vita Club (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Saint George (Ethiopia)



GROUP D:

Al-Ahly (Egypt)

Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)

Coton Sport (Cameroon)

Zanaco (Zambia)



Group-stage play is set to open on weekend of May 12-14.

Copa Libertadores

Copa Libertadores group-stage play is set to continue on Wednesday with four games.

GROUP THREE:

At Arequipa, Peru:

Marlon Piedrahita (72') and Juan Fernando Quintero (74') each scored a goal two minutes apart in the second half as Indpendiente Medellin came from behind to defeat FBC Melgar 2-1 on the road.



GROUP FOUR:

At Curitiba, Brazil:

Felipe Gedoz scored the winning goal in the 87th minute as Atletico Paranaense defeated visiting Flamengo 2-1 in a battle of Brazilian clubs.

Group Four Standings:

1. Atletico Paranaense (GP: 4; GD: +1; PTS: 7)
2. Flamengo (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
3. Universidad Catolica (GP: 4; GD: 0; PTS: 5)
4. San Lorenzo (GP: 4; GD: -4; PTS: 4)



GROUP FIVE:

At Montevideo, Uruguay:

Willian scored twice (48', 72') as Palmeiras defeated Penarol 3-2 on the road.

Group Five Standings:

1. Palmeiras (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2. Jorge Wilstermann (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
3. Atletico Tucuman (GP: 4; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
4. Penarol (GP: 4; GD: -5; PTS: 3)



GROUP SIX:

At Belo Horizonte, Brazil:

Robinho (71') and Juan Cazares (88') each scored once as Atletico Mineiro blanked visiting Club Libertad 2-0.

AFC Champions League

Four games were contested in AFC Champions League group-stage action on Wednesday.

GROUP E:

At Ulsan, South Korea:

Mu Kanazaki scored twice (52', 67') as Kashima Antlers broke open what had been a scoreless stalemate after 50 minutes of play and demolished Ulsan Hyundai 4-0 on the road to clinch a berth in the knockout stage.

At Nonthaburi, Thailand:

Xisco (37'), Chanathip Songkrasin (83'), and Teerasil Dangda (89') each scored on once as Muangthong United dominated the visiting Brisbane Roar 3-0 en route to a berth in the knockout stage.

Group E Standings:

1. x-Muangthong United (GP: 5; GD: +5; PTS: 11)
2. x-Kashima Antlers (GP: 5; GD: +7; PTS: 9)
3. z-Ulsan Hyundai (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 4)
4. z-Brisbane Roar (GP: 5; GD: -11; PTS: 4)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP F:

At Saitama, Japan:

Rafael Silva scored twice (71', 79') as Urawa Red Diamonds destroyed the visiting Western Sydney Wanderers 6-1 to lock up a berth in the knockout stage.

At Shanghai, China:

Wu Lei scored the winning goal in the 44th minute as Shanghai SIPG clinched a berth in the Round of 16 with their 4-2 home doubling of FC Seoul.

Group F Standings:

1. x-Urawa Red Diamonds (GP: 5; GD: +12; PTS: 12)
2. x-Shanghai SIPG (GP: 5; GD: +7; PTS: 12)
3. z-FC Seoul (GP: 5; GD: -6; PTS: 3)
4. z-Western Sydney Wanderers (GP: 5; GD: -13; PTS: 3)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Copa Libertadores

Group-stage play in the Copa Libertdores is set to resume on Tuesday.

GROUP FOUR:

At Buenos Aires:

Cristian Barrios scored the winning goal in the 85th minute as San Lorenzo defeated visiting Universidad Catolica 2-1.



GROUP FIVE:

At Tucuman, Argentina:

David Barbona's goal in the 73rd minute was the game winner as Atlerico Tucuman defeated visiting Jorge Wilstermann 2-1.



GROUP EIGHT:

At Calama, Chile:

Deigo Bielkiewicz scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time as Deportes Iquique defeated visiting Zamora FC 4-3.  Rafael Caroca helped the Chilean club's cause by scoring twice (81', 90'+1).

AFC Champions League

Eight games were contested in group-stage play in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

GROUP A:

At Tashkent, Uzbekistan:

Abdulmajeed Al-Swat (18'), Jehad Al Hussain (65'), Alassane N'Diaye (69'), and Ricardo Machado (90'+1) each scored once to list Al-Taawoun to a 4-4 road draw with Lokomotiv Tashkent.  Marat Bikmaev produced a hat trick (21', PK-32', 47') and Jaloliddin Masharipov scored once (81') for the hosts.

At Tehran, Iran:

Kaveh Rezael's equalizer in the 58th minute enabled Esteghlal to gain a 1-1 home draw with Al-Ahli Abu Dubai FC.  Abdelaziz Sanquor scored for the visiting club from the Emirates in the 17th minute.

Group A Standings:

1. Al-Ahli Abu Dubai FC (GP: 5: GD: +1; PTS: 8)
2. Esteghlal (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 8)
3. Al-Taawoun (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 5)
4. Lokomotiv Tashkent (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 5)

NOTES: Al-Taawoun had a win and a draw in two games against Lokomotiv Tashkent; Al-Ahli Abu Dubai FC had a win and a draw in two contests against Esteghlal.



GROUP B:

At Al Rayyan, Qatar (played in Qatar due to deteriorating relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia):

Salman Bahrani's equalizer in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time lifted Esteghlal Khuzestan to a 1-1 draw with Al-Fateh.  Ali Al-Zaqaan scored for the Saudi club in the 85th minute.

At Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:

Nam Tee-hee scored twice (PK-27', 62') as Lekhwiya defeated Al-Jazira 3-1 on the road.

Group B Standings:

1.   Lekhwiya SC (GP: 5; PTS: +6; PTS: 11)
2.   Esteghlal Khuzestan (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 8)
3.   Al-Fateh (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
4. z-Al Jazira (GP: 5; GD: -8; PTS: 1)

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP G:

At Suwon, South Korea:

Tatsuki Nara scored the only goal of the match in the 48th minute as Kawasaki Frontale defeated Suwon Samsung Bluewings 1-0 on the road.

At Hong Kong:

Paulinho (8', 82') and Alan Carvalho (50', 71') each scored twice as Guangzhou Evergrande demolished Eastern Sports Club 6-0 on the road.

Group G Standings:

1.    Guangzhou Evergrrande (GP: 5; GD: +13; PTS: 9) 
2.    Suwon Samsung Bluewings (GP: 5; GD: +5; PTS: 8)
3.    Kawasaki Frontale (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 7)
4. z-Eastern Sports Club (GP: 5; GD: -19; PTS: 1)

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP H:

At Suita, Japan:

Sergio Cirio (43'), Jordan O'Doherty (54'), and Baba Daiwara (90'+2) each scored once as Adelaide United gained a 3-3 road draw with Gamba Osaka.  Shun Nagasawa (6'), Ritsu Doan (12'), and Michael Marrone (OG-77') each scored once for the hosts.

At Nanjing, China:

Lee Chang-min scored the winning goal in the 48th minute as Jeju United defeated knockout stage-bound Jiangsu Suning 2-1 on the road.

Group H Standings:

1. x-Jiangsu Suning (GP: 5; GD: +5; PTS: 12)
2.    Jeju United (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 7)
3.    Adelaide United (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 5)
4.    Gamba Osaka (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 4)

x-Advanced to knockout stage

Monday, April 24, 2017

AFC Champions League

Group-stage play in the AFC Champions League resumed on Monday with four games.

GROUP C:

At Tashkent, Uzbekistan:

Arkamjon  Komilov (8') and Eldor Shomurodov (54') each scored once as FC Bunyodkor blanked visiting Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia 2-0. 

At Isfahan, Iran:

Danilo Moreno (25'), Omar Abdulrahman (60'), and Mohamed Abdulrahman (81') each scored once as Al-Ain dominated Zob Ahan 3-0 on the road.

Group C Standings:

1.    Al-Ain (GP: 5; GD: +4; PTS: 9)
2.    Al-Ahli Jeddah (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 8)
3.    Zob Ahan (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 7)
4. z-FC Bunyodkor (GP: 5; GD: -4; PTS: 3)

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP D:

At Muscat, Oman:

Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal battled Iran's Persepolis to a 0-0 stalemate and locked up a berth in the knockout stage.  The match was contested in Oman due to deteriorating relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

At Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:

Sebastian Tagliabue scored twice (43', 72') as Al-Wahda demolished visiting Al-Rayyan 5-1.

Group D Standings:

1. x-Al-Hilal (GP: 5; GD: +2; PTS: 9)
2.    Al-Rayyan (GP: 5; GD: -2; PTS: 7)
3.    Persepolis (GP: 5; GD: -1; PTS: 6)
4.    Al-Wahda (GP: 5; GD: +1; PTS: 4)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage

Sunday, April 23, 2017

MLS: Sunday Wins For Lions, Sounders, Loons

Three games were played on Sunday in Major League Soccer.

At New York City:

Cyle Larin scored twice (31', 51') while goalkeeper Joe Bendik came up with five saves as Orlando City knocked off New York City 2-1 on the road.

At Carson, California:

Clint Dempsey (29'), Ashley Cole (OG-35'), and Jordan Morris (44') each scored a first-half goal as the Seattle Sounders dominated the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-0 on the road.

At Minneapolis:

Miguel Ibarra scored the only goal of the match in the 72nd minute as Minnesota United defeated the visiting Colorado Rapids 1-0.



MLS STANDINGS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   Orlando City SC (GP: 6; GD: +3; PTS: 15)
2.   Columbus (GP: 8; GD: +1; PTS: 13)
3.   New York Red Bulls (GP: 8; GD: 0; PTS: 13)
4.   Atlanta United FC (GP: 7; GD: +9; PTS: 11)  
5.   Chicago (GP: 7; GD: 0; PTS: 11)
6.   New York City FC (GP: 7; GD: +4; PTS: 10)
7.   Toronto FC (GP: 7; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
8.   New England (GP: 8; GD: 0; PTS: 9)
9.   DC United (GP: 7; GD: -6; PTS: 8)
10. Montreal (GP: 7; GD: -2; PTS: 7)
11. Philadelphia (GP: 7; GD: -6; PTS: 3)

NOTES: With Columbus and the New York Red Bulls level on points (13) and wins (4), the Crew have the superior goal differential (+1, compared to the Red Bulls' 0); with Atlanta United and Chicago level on points (11) and wins (3), the ATL have the superior goal differential (+9, compared to the Fire's 0); with New York City and Toronto level on points with ten, the Citizens have more wins than the Reds (3-2). 



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

1.   Portland (GP: 8; GD: +8; PTS: 16)  
2.   FC Dallas (6; GD: +5; PTS: 14)
3.   Houston (GP: 7; GD: +4; PTS: 13)
4.   Kansas City (GP: 7: +3; PTS: 12)
5.   Seattle (GP: 7; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
6.   San Jose (GP: 8; GD: -2; PTS: 9)
7.   Real Salt Lake (GP: 8; GD: -3; PTS: 8)
8.   Minnesota United FC (GP: 8; GD: -11; PTS: 8)
9.   Vancouver (GP: 7; GD: -4; PTS: 7)
10. Los Angeles (GP: 7; GD: -5; PTS: 6)
11. Colorado (GP: 6; GD: -4; PTS: 4)

NOTES:  With Seattle and San Jose level on points (9) and win s (2), the Sounders have the superior goal differential (+3, compared to the Earthquakes' -2); with Real Salt Lake and Minnesota United level on points and wins, RSL have the superior goal differential (-3, compared to the Loons' -11).

Saturday, April 22, 2017

MLS: Dynamo, Timbers, Red Bulls, Hoops, ATL UTD Grab Saturday Wins

Seven games were on the Major League Soccer Saturday docket.

At Chester, Pennsylvania:

Ignacio Piatti (41'), Anthony Jackson-Hamel (69', 87') delivered the scoring that let the Montreal Impact bounce back from a three-goal deficit to gain a 3-3 road draw with the Philadelphia Union.  Roland Alberg (5', PK-39') and C.J. Sapong (23') delivered the goals for the still-winless Union.

At Houston:

Erick Torres (PK-9') and Alberth Elis (72') each scored once as the Houston Dynamo blanked the visiting San Jose Earthquakes 2-0.

At Portland, Oregon:

Darlington Nagbe (18') and Darren Mattocks (40') each scored once as the Portland Timbers held off the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 in a Cascadia Cup clash.

At Foxborough, Massachusetts:

Lee Nguyen (5') and Sean Franklin (OG-48') each scored once to ally the New England Revolution to salvage a 2-2 home draw with DC United. Jared Jeffrey (26') and Sebastien Le Toux (28') each scored a goal two minutes apart late in the first half-four for the guests.

At Harrison, New Jersey:

Alex Muyl (11') and Daniel Royer (PK-38') each scored once as the New York Red Bulls blanked the visiting Columbus Crew 2-0.


At Frisco, Texas:



Maynor Figueroa scored the only goal of the match in the 77th minute as FC Dallas remained the league's lone unbeaten club after their 1-0 home victory over Sporting Kansas City.


At Sandy, Utah:

Hector Villalba (9'), Yamil Asad (46'), and Brandon Vasquez (90'+6) each scored once in Atlanta United's 3-1 road win over Real Salt Lake.

Friday, April 21, 2017

MLS: Seb Doubles As Reds Douse Visiting Fire

At Toronto:

In the lone Friday Major League Soccer contest, Sebastian Giovinco scored twice (28', 82') as Toronto FC defeated the visiting Chicago Fire 3-1.

Europa League Semifinal Draw: Ajax vs. Lyon; Celta Vigo vs Zlatanless Red Devils

The draw for the Europa League's semifinal round took place on Friday.  The match-one hosts are listed first with all kick-off times Pacific.

Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands) vs. Lyon (France)

The opening match will take place at Amsterdam Arena in the Netherlands on May 3 at 9:45 AM with the return match set for Olympique Lyonnais Park in Decines-Charpieu, France on May 11 at 12:05 PM

Celta Vigo (Spain) vs. Manchester United (England)

The opening game of this series will take place at Balaidos in Viga, Spain on May 4 at 12:05 PM with the return match set to take place at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, also at 12:05 PM.

The winners will face off in the Europa League final, to take place at Friends Arena in Solna, Sweden, with the winners qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League.

UEFA Champions League Semifinal Draw: Los Blancos vs. Mattress Makers In All-Madrid Series; Monaco To Battle Juve

The draw for the semifinal round of the UEFA Champions League took place on Friday, with the game one hosts listed first and all kick-off times set for 11:45 AM Pacific Time.

Real Madrid (Spain) vs. Atletico Madrid (Spain)

This all-Madrid series will open on May 2 at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home of Los Blancos, with the return match to take place on the Mattress Makers' pitch (Vicente Calderon Stadium) on May 10.

AS Monaco (France) vs. Juventus (Italy)

This series will open at Louis II Stadium in Fontvieille, Monaco on May 3 with the return match set for Juventus Stadium in Turin, Italy on May 9.

The winners will advance to the June 3 final, set to take place at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, with the winner there advancing to December's FIFA Club World Cup, set to be staged in the United Arab Emirates.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Copa Libertadores

Copa Libertadores group-stage play is set to continue on Thursday with four games.  The hosts are listed first with all kick-off times Pacific.

GROUP ONE:

At Guayaquil, Ecuador:

Sassa's successfully-executed penalty kick in the 88th minute lifted Botafogo to a 1-1 road draw with Barcelona SC.  Christian Aleman scored for the Ecuadorian club in the 31st minute.

Group One Standings:

1. Botafogo (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7
2. Barcelona SC (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
3. Estudiantes (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
4. Atletico Nacional (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 0)

NOTE: Botafogo gained a 1-1 road draw with Barcelona SC on Thursday.

GROUP THREE:

At Medellin, Colombia:

Valentine Viola (12') and Andres Mosquera (63') each scored once as Independiente Medellin blanked visiting FBC Melgar 2-0.


GROUP SIX:

At Mendoza, Argentina:

Guillermo Fernandez (56') and Javier Correa (73') delivered the goals as Godoy Cruz blanked visiting Sport Boys 2-0.

Group Six:

1. Godoy Cruz (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7) 
2. Atletico Mineiro (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
3. Club Libertad (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
4. Sport Boys (GP: 3; GD: -5; PTS: 1)



GROUP EIGHT:

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Pedro Rocho Neves' equalizer in the 78th minute lifted Gremio  to a 1-1 road draw with Club Guarani.  Hernan Lopez scored for the hosts in the 71st minute.

Group Eight Standings:

1. Gremio (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
2. Club Guarani (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
3. Deportes Iquique (GP: +1; PTS: 3)
4. Zamora FC (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 0)

NOTE:  Gremio gained a 1-1 road draw with Club Guarani on Thursday.

Europa League: Red Devils, Celta, Ajax, Lyon Advance To Semifinals

The Europa League's quarterfinal round closed on Thursday with four games.

At Manchester, England:

After a 1-1 draw in regulation of game two that squared the series at 2-2 on aggregate, Marcus Rashford scored the winning overtime goal in the 107th minute as Manchester United took out visiting RSC Anderlecht 3-2 on aggregate.

At Genk, Belgium:

Pione Sisto scored the series-winning goal in the 63rd minute as Celta Vigo gained a 1-1 game-two road draw with KRC, enabling the Spanish club to win their series 4-3 on aggregate.

At Gelsenkirchen, Germany:

After Schalke 04 blanked Ajax Amsterdam 2-0 in regulation of the second game to square the series at 2-2 on aggregate, Nick Viergever (111') and Amin Younes (120') each scored an overtime goal to enable the visiting Dutch club to win the series 4-3 on aggregate and advance to the semifinal round.

At Istanbul, Turkey:

After Besiktas gained a 2-1 game-two home decision  in regulation to level their series with Lyon at 3-3 on aggregate, and after 30 scoreless overtime minutes, Nebil Fekir, Corentin Tolisso, Rachid Ghezzal, Maciej Rybus, Mathieu Valbuena, Mouctar Diakhaby, and Maxime Gonalons all converted their spot kicks as the visiting French club outlasted the Black Eagles 7-6 in the penalty-kick shootout.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

MLS: Goose Eggs For Quakes And Revs In Foxborough

At Foxborough, Massachusetts:

The San Jose Earthquakes and home-standing New England Revolution battled to a 0-0 stalemate in the lone Wednesday Major League Soccer contest.

The real stars were the clubs' goalkeepers, the Quakes' David Bingham and the Revs' Cody Cropper as each registered a shutout.

Copa Libertadores

Group-stage play in the Copa Libertadores  continued on Wednesday with four games. 

GROUP ONE:

At La Plata, Argentina:

Javier Toledo scored the only goal of the match in the 37th minute as Estudiantes defeated visiting Atletico Nacional 1-0.


GROUP TWO:

At Bogota, Colombia:

Independiente Santa Fe and visiting Santos battled to a 0-0 stalemate.

Group Two Standings:

1. Santos (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 5)
2. Independiente Santa Fe (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. The Strongest (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
4. Sporting Cristal (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 2)



GROUP SIX:

At Asuncion, Paraguay:

Angel Cardozo Lucena scored the game's lone goal in the 26th minute as Club Libertad defeated visiting Atletico Mineiro 1-0.



GROUP EIGHT:

At Barinas, Venezuela:

Diego Bielkiewicz scored twice (PK-7', 19') as Deportes Iquique dominated Zamora FC 4-1 on the road.