CONCACAF Champions League: Rematch Of Last Year's Final; MLS Clubs Out In Cold Again

At Monterrey, Mexico:

Aldo de Nigris scored the only goal of the match in the 81st minute on Wednesday as Monterrey defeated the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 in game two to win their two-match CONCACAF Champions League semifinal series 3-1 on aggregate.

This sets up a rematch of last year's final with Santos Laguna, which the Striped Gang won last year.

This year's two-match final will start on Santos' home pitch in Torreon, Mexico on April 24, with the return match the following Wednesday in Monterrey, as the Stripe Gang will be seeking their third straight title.  The winner would advance to this December's FIFA Club World Cup.

CONCACAF Champions League: Santos Laguna Again Foil Sounders And Return To Final

At Torreon, Mexico:

Carlos Quintero scored what proved to be the series-winning goal in the 21st minute on Tuesday as Santos Laguna gained a 1-1 game-two home draw with the Seattle Sounders and took their two-match series 2-1 on aggregate as the Mexican club once again reached the final of the CONCACAF Champions League.

CONCACAF Champions League: Striped Gang Battle Back To Top Galaxy On Road In Semifinal Opener

At Carson, California:

Humberto Suazo (82') and Aldo De Nigris (90') provided the late goal scoring as Monterrey came from behind to upend the home-standing Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 on Wednesday in the opening match of their two-game CONCACAF Champions League semifinal series.

CONCACAF Champions League: Herculez Sinks Sounders In Series Opener

At Seattle:

Herculez Gomez scored the only goal of the match in the 54th minute on Tuesday as Santos Laguna defeated the Seattle Sounders 1-0 on the road in the opening match of their two-game CONCACAF Champions League semifinal series.

CONCACAF Champions League: Mixed Bag For MLS Clubs; Dynamo Ousted, Galaxy Advance

The quarterfinal round of the CONCACAF Champions League concluded on Wednesday with two games.

At Torreon, Mexico:

Juan Rodriguez (22'), Herculez Gomez (27'), and Marc Crosas (76') each scored a goal as Santos Laguna overturned their 1-0 road defeat of last week with a 3-0 game-two home win over the Houston Dynamo and a 3-1 aggregate series win.

At Carson, California:

Omar Gonzalez (17'), Jose Villarreal (68'), Robbie Keane (82'), and Jack McBean (90') each delivered a goal as the Los Angeles Galaxy dominated visiting Herediano 4-1 in game two and took out the Costa Rican club by that same score on aggregate to advance.

Both two-game series in the semifinal round involve clubs from Major League Soccer going up against clubs from Mexico's Liga MX.

The Los Angeles Galaxy will take on two-time defending champions Monterrey with the opening game at Carson, California in three weeks, with the return match to take place the following week in Mexico.

The Seattle Sounders will host Santos Laguna in the opening match of their two-game series in three weeks with the Mexican club hosting the return contest the following week.

CONCACAF Champions League: Sounders, Striped Gang Advance To Semis

Two games were played on Tuesday as the second and final week of the CONCACAF Champions League's quarterfinal round commenced.

At Seattle:

Goals from DeAndre Yedlin (53'), Djimi Traore (60'), and Eddie Johnson (75') enabled the Seattle Sounders to bounce back from 1-0 halftime and 2-0 aggregate deficits and upend visiting ten-man Tigres 3-1 in game two and win their two-game series 3-2 on aggregate.  The Sounders became the first Major League Soccer club to eliminate a Mexican club in this tournament since the current format was inaugurated five years ago.

At Monterrey, Mexico:

Walter Ayovi scored in the 63rd minute as Monterrey gained a 1-1 game-two home draw with Zelaju and won their two-match series with the Guatemalan club 4-2 on aggregate.

CONCACAF Champions League: Galaxy and Herediano Battle To Series-Opening 0-0 Draw In Costa Rica

At Heredia, Costa Rica:

Thursday's CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal-round series-opening match between CD Herediano and the visiting Los Angeles Galaxy ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

CONCACAF Champions League: Monterrey Rivals Score Series-Opening Wins

Two games were played on Wednesday as the quarterfinal round of the CONCACAF Champions League continued.

At Quetzaltenango, Guatemala:

Hiram Meir (9'), Aldo de Nigris (43'), and Jesus Corona (76') each tallied once as Monterry bested Xelaju 3-1 on the road in the opening match of their two-game series.

At San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico:

Alan Pulido came off the bench and scored the only goal of the match in the 74th minute as Tigres held off the visiting Seattle Sounders 1-0 in their series opener.

CONCACAF Champions Leauge: Brad Davis' Late Tally Carries Dynamo To Series-Opening Home Win

At Houston:

Brad Davis scored the lone goal of the match in the 89th minute as the Houston Dynamo defeated visiting Santos Laguna 1-0 on Tuesday in the opening match of a two-game quarterfinal series as the knockout stage of the CONCACAF Champions League commenced.

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.

CONCACAF Champions League: Santos Laguna, Tigres Clinched Knockout-Stage Berths; Sounders End Group-Stage Play In Style

Group-stage action  in the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday with three games.

Group One:

At Torreon, Mexico:

Herculez Gomez scored the only goal of the match in the 73rd minute as Santos Laguna won the Group One title with a perfect record and a berth in the quarterfinal round with their 1-0 home win over Toronto FC.

FINAL GROUP ONE STANDINGS:

1. Santos Laguna (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 12)
2. Toronto FC (GP: 4; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
3. CD Aguila (GP: 4; GD: -16; PTS: 0)

Santos Laguna won Group One and a berth in the quarterfinal round

Group Four:

At Seattle:

Sammy Ochoa (23'), Steve Zakuani (27'), and David Estrada (76') each scored a goal as the Seattle Sounders completed group-stage play with a perfect record following their 3-1 home win over CD Marathon.

FINAL GROUP FOUR STANDINGS:

1. Seattle Sounders FC (GP: 4; GD: +7; PTS: 12)
2. CD Marathon (GP: 4; GD: -2; PTS: 4)
3. Caledonia AIA (GP: 4; GD: -5; PTS: 1)

The Seattle Sounders won Group Four and advanced to the quarterfinal round

Group Six:

At San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico:

Alan Pulido scored a natural hat trick (34', 46', 59') as Tigres annihilated visiting Alajuelense 5-0 to claim top spot in Group Six and a berth in the quarterfinal round.

FINAL GROUP SIX STANDINGS:

1. UANL Tigres (GP: 4; GD: +9; PTS: 8)
2. LD Alajuelense (GP: 4; GD: -3; PTS: 7)
3. Real Esteli (GP: 4; GD: -6; PTS: 1)

Tigres advanced to the quarterfinal round by winning Group Six

CONCACAF Champions League: Dynamo, Herediano Advance; RSL Eliminated; Blowout Road Win For Striped Gang

The final week of CONCACAF Champions League group-stage play commenced with three games on Tuesday.

Group Two:

At Sandy, Utah:

Herediano clinched the Group Two title and a berth in the quarterfinal round by holding home-standing Real Salt Lake to a 0-0 stalemate.

FINAL GROUP TWO STANDINGS:

1. CS Herediano (GP: 4; GD: +3; PTS: 10)
2. Real Salt Lake (GP: 4; GD: +2; PTS; 7)
3. Tauro FC (GP: 4; GD: -5; PTS: 0)

CS Herediano won the Group Two title and advanced to the quarterfinal round

Group Three:

At Houston:

Andre Hainault scored the group-winning equalizer in the 65th minute, lifting the Houston Dynamo to a 1-1 home draw with CD Olimpia and the Group Three title and a berth in the quarterfinal round.

FINAL GROUP THREE STANDINGS:

1. Houston Dynamo (GP: 4; GD: +6; PTS: 8)
2. CD Olimpia (GP: 4; GD: +2; PTS: 5)
3. CD FAS (GP: 4; GD: -8; PTS: 3)

The Houston Dynamo finished atop Group Three and advanced to the quarterfinal round

Group Seven:

At Panama City, Panama:

Monterrey, with Humberto Suazo scoring twice (25', 50'), annihilated Chorrillo FC 6-0 on the road.

FINAL GROUP SEVEN STANDINGS:

1. Monterrey (GP: 6; GD: +15; PTS: 12)
2. CSD Municipal (GP: 6; GD: -2; PTS: 6)
3. Chorrillo FC (GP: 6; GD: -13; PTS: 0)

Monterrey finished atop Group Seven and advanced to the quarterfinal round

CONCACAF Champions League: Islanders Knock Isidro Metapan Out Of Tournament (Galaxy Advance); FAS Knock Off Olimpia, Damaging Honduran Club's Knockout Stage Hopes

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

Group Three:

At San Salvador, El Salvador:

Alejandro de la Cruz (78') and Juan Moscoso (90') each delivered a goal as CD FAS came from behind to upend visiting CD Olimpia 2-1, damaging the Honduran club's chances of winning the group and advancing to the quarterfinal round.

GROUP THREE STANDINGS:

1. Houston Dynamo (GP: 3; GD: +6; PTS: 7)
2. CD Olimpia (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
3. z-CD FAS (GP: 4; GD: -8; PTS: 3)

z-Eliminated from tournament

 

Group Five:

At Bayamon, Puerto Rico:

Hector Ramos scored twice (40', 79') as the Puerto Rico Islanders dominated visiting Isidro Metapan 3-0, thus locking up the Group Five title and a berth in the quarterfinal round for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

GROUP FIVE STANDINGS:

1. xy-Los Angeles Galaxy (GP: 3; GD: +7; PTS: 7)
2. z-Puerto Rico Islanders (GP:4; GD: -3; PTS: 4)


3. z-AD Isidro Metapan (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 3)

xy-Won Group Five and advanced to the quarterfinal round
z-Eliminated from tournament

 

CONCACAF Champions League

Group-stage play continued on Wednesday in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Group Four:

At San Pedro Sula, Honduras:

Harrison Rochez (53') and Jonathan Reyes (81') provided the scoring that carried CD Marathon to a 2-1 home win over Caledonia AIA in a battle of already-eliminated clubs.

GROUP FOUR STANDINGS:

1. xy-Seattle Sounders FC (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 9)
2. z-CD Marathon (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
3. z-Caledonia AIA (GP: 4; GD: -5; PTS: 1)

xy-Won Group Four and clinched berth in the quarterfinal round

z-Eliminated from tournament

Group Six:

At Alajuela, Costa Rica:

Alvaro Sanchez scored the only goal of the match with his successful penalty kick in the 49th minute as Alajuelense moved into the top spot in Group Six with a 1-0 home win over Real Esteli.  The Costa Rican club can wrap up the group title and a berth in the quarterfinal round with a win on the road against Tigres in Mexico on October 24.

GROUP SIX STANDINGS:

1. LD Alajuelense (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
2. UANL Tigres (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 5)
3. z-Real Esteli FC (GP: 4; GD: -6; PTS: 1)

z-Eliminated from tournament

Group Eight:

At Couva, Trinidad and Tobago:

Clyde Leon's equalizer in the 66th minute carried already-eliminated W Connection to a 1-1 home draw with Chivas de Guadalajara.  Erick Torres scored in the 39th minute for the Goats, who must defeat Xelaju of Guatemala at home on October 25 by at least two goals, or by a score of 1-0, in order to win Group Eight and advance.

GROUP EIGHT STANDINGS:

1. Club Xelaju MC (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
2. Chivas de Guadalajara (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 4)
3. z-W Connection (GP: 4; GD: -5; PTS: 2)

z-Eliminated from tournament

CONCACAF Champions League: Dominating Performance In El Salvador Keeps TFC Hopes Of Advancing Alive; Home Win For Herediano; Striped Gang Lock Up Group Seven Title and Quarterfinal Berth

Group-stage play in the CONCACAF Champions League continued with three Tuesday contests.

Group One:

At San Salvador, El Salvador:

Terry Dunfield scored twice (40', 86') as Toronto FC dominated CD Aguila 3-0 on the road, keeping their hopes of overtaking Mexico's Santos Laguna for the Group One title and quarterfinal round berth alive.  It was the Reds' first win in all competitions since beating Aguila 5-1 at home on August 1.

GROUP ONE STANDINGS:

1. Santos Laguna (GP: 3; GD: +11; PTS: 9)
2. Toronto FC (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 6)
3. z-CD Aguila (GP: 4; GD: -16, PTS: 0)

z-Eliminated from tournament

Group Two:

At Heredia, Costa Rica:

Enoc Perez scored the winning goal in the 37th minute as Herediano moved into sole possession of first place in Group Two following their 2-1 home win over Tauro FC.

GROUP TWO STANDINGS:

1. CS Herediano (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 9)
2. Real Salt Lake (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
3. z-Tauro FC (GP: 4; GD: -5; PTS: 0)

z-Eliminated from tournament

Group Seven:

At Monterrey, Mexico:

Abraham Carreno (13'), Pablo Solorzano (OG-53'), and Neri Cardozo (81') each delivered a goal as Monterrey clinched the Group Seven title and a berth in the quarterfinal round with a 3-0 whitewashing of visiting CSD Municipal.

GROUP SEVEN STANDINGS:

1. xy-Monterrey (GP: 3; GD: +9; PTS: 9)
2. z-CSD Municipal (GP: 4; GD: -2; PTS: 6)
3. z-Chorrillo FC (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 0)

xy-Won Group Seven and clinched berth in quarterfinal round
z-Eliminated from tournament

CONCACAF Champions League: Home Wins For The Houston Dynamo And CSD Municipal

Two games were played in the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League on Thursday.

Group Three:

At Houston:

Giles Barnes (21'), Bobby Boswell (44'), Cam Weaver (49'), and Calen Carr (78') each scored a goal as the Houston Dynamo demolished visiting CD FAS 4-0.

GROUP THREE STANDINGS:

1. Houston Dynamo (GP: 3; GD: +6; PTS: 7)
2. CD Olimpia (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 4)
3. z-CD FAS (GP: 3; GD: -9; PTS: 0)

z-Eliminated from tournament

Group Seven:

At Guatemala City:

Mario Rodriguez (23') and Leandro Barrios (80') each scored a goal as CSD Municipal came from behind to upend visiting Chorrillo FC 2-1. 

GROUP SEVEN STANDINGS:

1. Monterrey (GP: 2; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
2. CSD Municipal (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 6)
3. z-Chorrillo FC (GP: 3; GD: -7; PTS: 0)

z-Eliminated from tournament

CONCACAF Champions League: Sounders Advance To Knockout Stage;Santos Laguna All But Lock Up A Berth In Quarterfinals After Blasting Aguila In El Salvador; Galaxy Settle For Scoreless Draw In Puerto Rico

Three games were played on Wednesday as group-stage action in the CONCACAF Champions League continued.

Group One:

Jesus Alonso Escoboza scored twice (49', 62') as Santos Laguna all but locked up the Group One title and a berth in the quarterfinal round following their 4-0 road demolition (and elimination) of CD Aguila.

GROUP ONE STANDINGS:

1. Santos Laguna (GP: 3; GD: +11; PTS: 9)
2. Toronto FC (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
3. z-CD Aguila (GP: 3; GD: -13; PTS: 0)

z-Eliminated from tournament

Group Four:

At San Pedro Sula, Honduras:

The Seattle Sounders, with goals courtesy of Sammy Ochoa (11'), Eddie Johnson (62'), and Brad Evans (78'), advanced to the quarterfinal round as Group Four winners following their 3-2 road win over CD Marathon.

GROUP FOUR STANDINGS:

1. xy-Seattle Sounders (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 9)
2. z-CD Marathon (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 1)
3. z-Caledonia AIA (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 1)

xy-Won Group Four and clinched berth in quarterfinal round
z-Eliminated from tournament

Group Five:

At Bayamon, Puerto Rico:

The Los Angeles Galaxy battles the home-standing Puerto Rico Islanders to a 0-0 stalemate, eliminating the hosts from the tournament.  The Galaxy, though, were prevented from locking up the Group Five title and a berth in the quarterfinal round.

GROUP FIVE STANDINGS:

1. Los Angeles Galaxy (GP: 3; GD: +7; PTS: 7)
2. Isidro Metapan (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
3. z-Puerto Rico Islanders (GP: 3; GD: -6; PTS: 1)

z-Eliminated from tournament

CONCACAF Champions League: RSL Stay Alive After Critical Road Win; Tigres Still Atop Group Six After Road Draw; Xelaju Eliminate W Connection

Three games were played on Tuesday as the second half of CONCACAF Champions League group-stage play commenced.

Group Two:

At Panama City, Panama:

Alvaro Saborio converted his stoppage-time penalty kick (90'+3) as Real Salt Lake stayed alive in the competition after their 1-0 road win over now-eliminated Tauro FC.

GROUP TWO STANDINGS:

1. Herediano (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Real Salt Lake (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
3. z-Tauro FC (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 0)

z-Eliminated from tournament

Group Six:

At Esteli, Nicaragua:

Jonathan Espericueta's equalizer in the 90th minute lifted Tigres to a 1-1 road draw with Real Esteli.  Juan Barrera scored in the 53rd minute for the now-eliminated Nicaraguan club.

GROUP SIX STANDINGS:

1. UANL Tigres (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 5)
2. Alajuelense (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
3. z-Real Esteli FC (GP: 3; GD: -5; PTS: 1)

z-Eliminated from tournament

Group Eight:

At Quetzaltenango, Guatemala:

Fredy Santiago scored the winning goal in the 76th minute as Xelaju eliminated W Connection from the tournament by defeating the visitors 3-2.

GROUP EIGHT STANDINGS:

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

z-Eliminated from tournament
  

CONCACAF Champions League: Herediano and Sounders Win on Road; Caledonia Eliminated; Dynamo Get Road Draw With Olimpia

Three games were played on Thursday as group-stage play in the CONCACAF Champions League reached the midway point.

Group Two:

At Panama City, Panama:

Waylon Francis scored the only goal of the match in the 58th minute as CS Herediano blanked Tauro FC 1-0 on the road, all but officially eliminating the Panamanian club from the tournament.

GROUP TWO STANDINGS:

1. CS Herediano (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Real Salt Lake (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 3)
3. Tauro FC (GP: 2; GD: -3; PTS: 0)


Group Three:

At Tegucigalpa, Honduras:

Adam Moffat's equalizer in the 57th minute carried the Houston Dynamo to a 1-1 road draw with CD Olimpia.  Douglas Caetano scored for the hosts in the seventh minute.

GROUP THREE STANDINGS:

1. Houston Dynamo (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 4)
2. CD Olimpia (GP: 2; GD: +3; PTS: 4)
3. CD FAS (GP: 2; GD: -5; PTS: 0)

Note:  Houston leads the group because of more away goals scored (third tiebreaker).

Group Four:

At Couva, Trinidad and Tobago:

Alex Caskey (45'), Sammy Ochoa (60'), and Fredy Montero (69') each scored a goal as the Seattle Sounders all but locked up a berth in the quarterfinal round with a 3-1 road win over Caledonia AIA, eliminating the Trinidadian club from the tournament.

GROUP FOUR STANDINGS:

1. Seattle Sounders FC (GP: 2; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
2. CD Marathon (GP: 1; GD: 0; PTS: 1)
3. z-Caledonia AIA (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 1)

CONCACAF Champions League: Wins For Goats, Striped Gang, Galaxy

Group-stage action in the CONCACAF Champions League continued on Wednesday with three games.

Group Five:

At Carson, California:

Tommy Meyer (7'), Jose Villarreal (46'), John McBean (80'), and Michael Stephens (82') each scored once as the Los Angeles Galaxy dismembered the visiting Puerto Rico Islanders 4-0.

GROUP FIVE STANDINGS:

1. Los Angeles Galaxy (GP: 2; GD: +7; PTS: 6)
2. Isidro Metapan (GP: 2; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
3. Puerto Rico Islanders (GP: 2; GD: -6; PTS: 0)

Group Seven:

At Guatemala City:

Humberto Suazo scored the only goal of the match as two-time defending champions Monterrey defeated CSD Municipal 1-0 on the road.

GROUP SEVEN STANDINGS:

1. Monterrey (GP: 2; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
2. CSD Municipal (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. Chorrillo FC (GP: 2; GD: -6; PTS: 0)

Group Eight:

At Zapopan, Mexico:

A hat trick from Marco Fabian (53', 68', 90'+3) was a major part of a four-goal second half as Chivas de Guadalajara broke open what was at halftime a scoreless stalemate and converted the contest into a 4-0 home fistbeating of W Connection.

GROUP EIGHT STANDINGS:

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