CONCACAF Champions Cup: Your Running Commentary

Good evening folks. Tonight will feature both second legs of the CONCACAF Champions Cup. D.C. United plays host to Pachuca while the Houston Dynamo travel to Costa Rica to face Deportivo Saprissa.

D.C. United will look to erase a 2-0 first-leg defeat while Houston will be looking to win the second leg after the team's finished 0-0 in the first leg at Robertson Stadium.

Fox Soccer Channel is showing both matches tonight, with the D.C. United-Pachuca match already under way. If you are watching the matches, please feel free to share your thoughts on the action in the comments section below.

Enjoy the match and here's hoping MLS can deliver some good showings tonight.

Comments

[Spencer]

About time Ives, 14 minutes into the game. DC is looking good. Don't expect a 0-0 draw.

[Spencer]

Wells with a nice save. I think he fell in the way to save it but either way very lucky.

[Spencer]

So the ref does not like DC at all. He is definitely being unfair.

[Jerry @ work!!]

How's the game?

[Jerry @ Work!!]

Spencer, thanks for the updates. Apparently every other SBI mafia member is at the game!

[Spencer]

Gallardo with a free kick, but it was a very soft one. He was going for placement but you can't score if you don't put pace behind it.

[Spencer]

DC with 2 yellows, Emilio and Gallardo. Don't agree with either one.

[Spencer]

Emilio should have had a goal in the 26th but hit it wrong. DC showing promise. I think they can pull this out if they continue and don't let the ref'ing discourage them.

[Spencer]

Think DC should avoid the stereo type that all South Americans are the only ones that can take free kicks. Gallardo hasn't impressed on that aspect.

[Brandon]

Emilio has missed two sitters.

[Gerald]

Yes it should really be 2-0 DC. Moreno really set him up nicely. Great last ditch tacle by the Pachuca defender

[Steve]

This tie should be even. Emilio blew two gimmies.

btw this is the 3rd DC game I've seen and Perralta (DC's new central defender) is somewhere between unimpressive and liability.

DC has played reasonably well but I don't see how they will be two goals better in the 2nd half.

C'mon Houston!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DCM]

I'm with you guys in that having seen 3 half's of play between DCU and Pachuca, I just don't see how United is going to put up 2+ goals on Pachuca in the next 45 minutes. I hope I'm wrong though.

[Beckster]

Thanks Spencer, keep up for the comments. I'm traveling on business in CA and can't get the game

[DCM]

Whew, that was nearly the death blow.

What was the call on that one... anyone...

It appears a phantom call prevented a nice goal by Pachuca.

[Jacob]

I've gotten slack on this board for saying Emilio is crap. People love giving the the stat that he was the leading goalscorer last year...well, most of the goals he scored last year were skill-less, scrappy poke-in type goals. When it comes to quality finishing, the guy just doesn't have it.

Tonight he has proven how awful he is. The MLS media machine needs to stop trying to hype up a single player at all costs... Emilio has definitely become known as a great scorer on "hype" rather than on valid reputation. Anyone who has been (un)fortunate enough to see this guy play knows what a joke he is.

[Jacob]

"Better lucky than good" is the only positive that can be said for Emilio.

[Brandon]

It may have just been me, but I don't think the ball went in the net, but rather skimmed the far right hand side. Wells even took it as a goal kick afterwards.

[DCM]

Now in the 53rd minute and Pachuca has had SEVERAL dangerous scoring opportunities with nothing coming from United at this point. NOTHING at all this half.

[Steve]

Will someone wake Max Bretos up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The goal wasn't disallowed it didn't go in the net!!!!!!!

What a moron!!!!!!!!!!

[DCM]

Good eye Brandon, I just rewond the game and you're right. Wells ran behind the net to gather the ball on that shot. These bozos on FSC went on and on about it and I bought into what they were saying. Should have know better than to listen to those two!

[Steve]

DC just denied a marginal penalty. But I think it was a penalty.

Defender pulled Fred's arm but he went down too easily.

[Spencer]

Fred got pulled down in the box in about the 55th. DC should have already had 2 pks. The ref is not calling this game fair at all. And Emilio isn't finishing his chances.

[Spencer]

Quaranta off in the 59th and Burch is on.

[DCM]

With the way this official has let things go with all the physical play I'm not surprised he didn't call that one. There was just enough for a PK to be awarded, but I'm not upset one wasn't called either.

[Spencer]

I think DC is lacking some speed up top. But the game isn't over yet.

[Brandon]

Jacob,

I wouldn't go that far, 20+ goals in any league is impressive and he's scored some decent ones for DCU. Tonight however... lets just hope he forgets tonight.

[Gerald]

Great Save Calero

[Spencer]

Emilio almost scores again, but can't seem to finish anything tonight. McTavish is out and Neill is in.

[Brandon]

Nice header from Emilio... reaction save.

[DCM]

Emilio almost got that one in the net.

[Thom]

I know it early in the season but I do not see where Gallardo is an improvement over Gomez for D.C.

[Spencer]

Thom I agree Gallardo isn't an improvement. They need a forward with speed.

[DCM]

Haven't seen every minute he's been on the field this year, but has Neill done anything... anything at all.

I feel like I'm watching my little nephew run around in the middle of a professional soccer match.

[Spencer]

Positive for DC looks like they have a great number of fans especially for a Wednesday night.

[Jacob]

Again, I don't think the "stats" speak to Emilio's [lack of] quality. I think I recall less than a handful of respectable goals by Emilio last season. I think he was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time frequently last year--getting all kinds of scrappy, poke-ins off of rebounds and their ilk. When it comes to actually scoring quality goals, well, tonight has been a great example of his inability to get those.

And yes, 20 goals in any league is very respectable, but I doubt Emilio would get ANYWHERE NEAR 20 if he were to move to a superior league...

With all that being said, I would be more than happy to eat my words if Emilio lit it up tonight and saved this game for DC!

[Spencer]

Neill really hasn't done anything all year. I personally think he is too small. Yes there are some great small players but he's smaller than Tevez and Messi and has less than half the skill.

[Thom]

Spencer - I wonder if they will regret using all that cap space on Gallardo by seasons end.

[Beckster]

Let's wait on the gallardo comparison until later in the season. The last two years, Gomez was woefully out of form at the beginning of the season and didn't do anything for a couple of months

[Jacob]

Spencer and DCM -

I don't think Gallardo is an improvement over Gomez either...I do think that there's a chance he'll adapt to the team and play much better later in the season. However, while I think his passing is certainly not worse than Gomez's, he doesn't appear to be as dynamic of a player.

As far as Niell goes, I've seen every game he's played in for DC thus far and he is crap. Utter, worthless crap. With all my Emilio bashing, I'll take Emilio over Niell any day. Emilio at least gets himself into scoring opportunities(which he wastes); Niell doesn't even get that far.

[Spencer]

I think they will if they don't see similar results as from Gomez. I know the year is early, but I guess its all the hype about being a DP. I mean he is getting paid 3X more than Gomez but is the same quality. Thats a bad investment in my book. But I will give him the year to see what he has knowing that the team is being put together with a lot of new faces.

[Spencer]

I would like to see DC take some more shots. Alvares scores and DC is out.

[Brandon]

And that's the game.

[Steve]

Turn out the lights!

[Jacob]

game over

[Thom]

Why is Sullivan so in love with short passes then goals?

He most likly doesn't like the goal because there wasn't 4 touches beforehand.

[DCM]

And that is it for DC's chances. Goal Pachuca in the 76th.

[David]

DC needs to just shoot the ball, too much passing in the box when the should just let it loose

[Jacob]

niell loses the ball
shocking

[Joamiq]

Absolutely HORRID defending by DC there. Couldn't tell who it was - Namoff I think - but he left his man all alone to run after the ball on the other side of the field. That looked like U-9 defending.

[Spencer]

At this point in the game is where you see the class of a team. Lets see if they can pull back a goal and give their fans something.

[Spencer]

Bright spot for DC is Martinez, he is looking pretty good.

[Jacob]

After seeing Niell play, I wonder what kind of game Tom Soehn watched him in before signing him?

I have to admit I'm ignorant about the player's background, but thus far for DC he has been atrocious.

[Spencer]

DC scores a consolation prize. 1-1 great goal by Dyachenko and an assist by Fred.

[briguy]

Absolutely atrocious finishing from DC all night, especially Emilio. As an RBNY fan, I certainly hope this trend continues in the league, but I hate to see MLS getting punked by Pachuca again.

Just terrible terrible finishing. I'm watching KC v NE now...

[Jacob]

Dyachenko scores a rocket of a shot from just about the penalty spot for the honorary goal on an assist from Fred.

[briguy]

Ha, as I lament the finishing, DC punches one in!

[DCM]

Finally... nice goal for United on centering pass from Fred to Dyachenko who slots it in with a shot from just inside the penalty spot in the 85th to make it 1-1 (1-3 agg).

[Jacob]

NIELLLLLLLLLLLLLAWWWFUUUUULLLLL

[briguy]

Holy Sh**t!!!!!!

[Spencer]

Neill scores DC goes up 2-1. First thing good I've seen him do. Nice placement. I'll also give him some time to gel with the team.

[DCM]

Jacob,

I've made a point to watch the guy every time I can (missed some of the game from last weekend) and he has done NOTHING absolutely NOTHING... and then Neill scores to make it 2-3 aggregate in the 90th.

Nice assist by Fred.

[Jacob]

Niell hears me bashing him and scores. Two minutes left to get one more.

[Joamiq]

Ha, Niell with a nice shot there

[David]

just too little too late for United

[DCM]

And the final whistle is blown...

[Spencer]

DC earns some respect. But after watching the whole thing. DC was the better team and should have won. A couple blown chances by Emilio and a couple pk's that should have been called that weren't.

[Jacob]

DCM - Yeah, I agree. He essentially loses the ball whenever he gets it. The one goal tonight (after Pachuca was coasting) doesn't change my mind in the least.

Considering Gallardo was all the hype in the preseason, so far for DC I'm really keen on two returning players--Simms and Fred.

[Jerry]

I hate when the ref is a factor in the outcome of the game!!

[Julio]

I have one Bone to pick with IVES

THe dude needs to be more on top of his game when it comes to players the US is wanting to court. Like that guy Torres that plays for Pachuca. This kid is 20 years old and supposedly he is really good. I think Ives should let us his readers know of these guys that US would like to get on their squad despite that he is thinking about playing for Mexico because of his dad.

IVES,

You do this for your BOY, G. Rossi. How about letting that go and bringing us info on other players, Rossi is gone. Let's move on, let us know of players the US would like to add that are US Citizens. Maybe a Conde (Chicago Fire) when he becomes a US Citizen, or a Toja....come on dude...step it up my Bro.

[doug]

I just got home and saw the highlights of DC. To say Emilio had an off night would be the understatement of the year so far. Its real easy to score goals in MLS where the defenders are twice as big and half as smart. You could tell that after the first one was missed, he never let go of that miss and it haunted him all game. That crowd shot from Costa Rica, looks intimidating. I think if any MLS team can go down there and get a result, its the Dynamo. Saprissa won this tournament 3 years ago made it to the World Club Tourney

[Spencer]

Ives any chance of a new chance to post stuff on Houston? Or are we going to overload this page?

[Spencer]

Well here we go. Onstad is out. I'll post the line up once I get a clear look.

[Spencer]

Caig
Mulrooney Ianni Waibel Barett
Cameron Clark De Ro Ashe
Caraccio Ching

There ya go.

[Spencer]

Waibel is out and Mullen is going in. Not looking good for Houston early as far as that goes. I think he took a hit to his hamstring area.

[Spencer]

The turf is throwing Houston off at the start.

[Spencer]

Saprissa almost scores 12 mins in. Houstons defense is showing gaps early.

[Joe Quake]

Caig is horrible. WOW. I can come out of D3 soccer retirement and play better than this guy.

[EssEff]

Saprissa Stadium: Soccer on Ice. That turf is quick.

[David]

way too many turnovers for houston, it's hurting them

[Ryan]

Caig is an embarrassment

[Alejandro Ruiz]

Barra Brava disappeared tonight.
I know there was a lot of pro-Pachuca fans but that's when you have to step it up. I know people say people don't show up for non-MLS games.
But look at Sassprisa, these are their biggest games of the year. MLS fans need to bring it and become the 12th man.

[AlexS]

Goal Saprissa in the 47'

Mulrooney wiffed on a clearance and it's put in. Nothing Caig could have done. The injuries to defenders and the turf are taking their toll. Unless something just clicks in Houston's game (or Saprissa gets a red card or three) then this game is just riding out the time. I feel like there are more goals in it, but at least one of them feels like another Saprissa goal.

[Luis]

"The Barra Brava disappeared tonight."

What the hell are you talking about? I was at the game and the Barra was strong all game long. It was a good crowd and MLS should be happy with the showing. As for the game DC had the game for the taking but poor finishing, particularly Emilio, and a penchant for wanting the perfect play rather than an earlier shot ultimately were the difference.

[Nathanhj]

Injuries and suspensions left Houston to start the game in the hole. Then Waibel going out screwed with the defense even more.

But even with the deflection off Ianni, I think Caig should have gotten to that first goal. Second one he was never going to get, what a rocket, but the first one he should have had.

Now Houston is just chasing the game is going to tire themselves out in about 10 minutes.

Kinnear is one the phone right now to every agent with a keeper looking for work...

Bobby Boswell for Zach Wells is looking pretty horrible right now, but it's early in the season yet.

[AlexS]

64' What a save by Saprissa's Navas after horribly botching his come-out on a free kick. He whiffed on the punch out but runs back to make a diving save on Ching's shot.

[Alejandro Ruiz]

Well I mean, I've seen then jump non-stop for some games. I didn't see any bouncing and I mostly heard OLE OLE OLE. When Pachuca was passing the ball around.
I mean, if you were near or sitting in Barra Brava I'm sure they sounded fine. They just seemed flat compared to their own lofty standards.
It wasn't until the DC scored that they came back to life. It happened last year too, vs the Fire. After the 2nd Fire goal, they were quiet until the DC scored.

[AlexS]

69' Somebody shoot the ball first time when there are no defenders on top of you and you're in front of the net at the 18 yard box! Make the keeper make the save! A few of those and at least one will go in.

[Alejandro Ruiz]

Wow.......Santa better give England the decent goalkeeper gene for Christmas.

[AlexS]

75' Carraccio out, Davis in.

Carraccio had an ok game, but wasn't great.

FSK!

Caig strikes again!

76' Defender beaten by Saprissa and Caig come out of the 18 yard box to challenge and gets rounded. Ball into the back of an open net. 3-0 Saprissa.

And I hate to say it because I like his general play, but it was once again Cameron who lost his mark on that goal.

[walter]

wow houston is embarassing MLS

[Nathanhj]

Wow Tony Caig is awful. I can see why Gretna was in the 3rd division in Scotland...

[Joamiq]

I think it's safe to say that this final Champions Cup was NOT a step forward for MLS.

[AlexS]

I think we all know the difference between 3-0 and 2-0.

Nonetheless, Chris Wondolowski comes in.

[Nathanhj]

Caig = Alan Gordon of Goalkeepers

[AlexS]

88' Cameron and a Saprissa player clash over a 50/50 ball, both go down clutching body parts. Cameron slow to get up, Saprissa player is still down.

[AlexS]

90' Somebody on the Houston Chronicle blog posted a good one:

"Tappin' the Caig" - a soccer match where Tony Caig is playing goalie for the opposing team

(posted by JJ)
http://blogs.chron.com/soccer/archives/2008/04/dynamo_0_sapris.html

[Spencer]

Houston definitely needs a full roster. The defense is very weak, and the goalie is well lets just say he's English. And will someone shoot the ball seriously. And stop stepping in and making yourself look like an idiot.

[eric-dynamo]

Heart breaking... First onstad, next robinson, screw boswell and last waibel. Man we need some players!!!!

[AlexS]

Final

T_T

I can't say I wasn't expecting it, but it still hurts to loose like that. I gotta say, last years Dynamo in form probably would have won, even in San Jose. I know that's homer speak, but it would have at least been a serious game. (2-1 Saprissa AET sounds about right)

This year's full strength Dynamo... hmmm... I think 3-1 would have been the result. If Mullan, Holden, and Davis were in form, then make that 3-2.

We need Onstad to get health and stay healthy ALWAYS. Alternately, we need a better backup.

We need a forward who isn't afraid to shoot. A healthy Holden would have helped in those regards, but Ching needs to re-learn about shooting the ball.

DeRo played ok, but he's consistantly getting mobbed now because teams aren't having to stretch to guard the wings. Clark helped with that last season, but he's back helping the defends more - and when he's not there are already a ton of opposing players in the 18-yard box blocking his distance shots before they get to the keeper.

I like Ashe, but Davis and Holden can't get healthy quick enough. Ashe just can't beat that first defender, even with his speed. His crosses are better and his positioning is light years from where it was, but without the ability to round a defender he's a poor winger at best.

I know Cameron is a rookie, but he needs to learn how to keep his mark from shaking him. He over commits to the attacker and gets rounded on way too many chances. And with Cpt. Bricks (Boswell) usually behind him, that's like getting a one-on-one with the keeper.

What did I miss?

Oh yeah, the boys still looked good for large stretches of the game, but unless they figure out how to convert that into goals this is going to be a long season.