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Close in proximity LA, Club Tijuana to meet in CCL

CARSON, Calif. -- In one of the more intriguing confrontations of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, two teams separated by only 142 miles will battle for a spot in the final four and area bragging rights.

It starts on Wednesday at the StubHub Center, when Mexico’s Club Tijuana visits the LA Galaxy in the first leg of the series on Wednesday.

Tijuana is coming in on a high, having dispatched Guadalajara, 2-0, at home on Friday, while the Major League Soccer team is trying to purge the memory of a 1-0 season-opening home loss to Real Salt Lake. Ireland international striker Robbie Keane had a penalty kick saved in stoppage time to deny the host a point on Saturday.

Now, the Galaxy must focus on getting a goal or two at home before next Tuesday’s second leg.

“It makes us more motivated," forward Rob Friend said. "No one likes to lose, especially in their first game. I think we got a little bit of extra fire in us now.”

The Galaxy has one win and three losses in four all-time CL meetings against Mexican foes. LA saw its bid for last year’s crown come up short as it was eliminated in the aggregate-goal semifinal series by Monterrey, 3-1. The Mexican Rayados went on to capture their third successive CCL title.

“Against the Mexican teams, it’s always tough so I’m sure it will be an interesting game," Keane commented. "It’s a good game for us to bounce back. I’m sure fitness wise ... it will do the team a world of good on Wednesday. I think you’ll see us a lot faster and sharper because the more games you play the more match fitness you get.”

Tijuana sits in eighth place in Liga MX with a 4-2-4 record and 14 points after Argentine forward Dario Benedetto scored the first goal in the 23rd minute and set up Jaime Ayovi´s tally in the 73rd during the weekend win.

Galaxy center-back Omar Gonzalez is expected to cover Benedetto.

"Tijuana has been playing very well the last few years," Gonzalez said. "It will be tough series but we are confident we can win. We have a great chance to advance, but also to win the whole tournament."

LA holds a 1-1-0 advantage over the Xolos in the only two meetings between them, including a 6-2 friendly win on February 19, 2012.

“We’re still confident we know how to play here [at StubHub Center],” expressed LA midfielder-forward Landon Donovan. "We played well against a good team [RSL] for long stretches of the game. We have to be better in front of the goal. It’s easy to say but when those chances we have to finish them and it’s as simple as that.”

Sporting, Cruz Azul look to bounce back in CCL

KANSAS CITY, Kansas – When they take the field at Sporting Park on Wednesday, it will be a battle between the team that won the 2013 MLS Cup and the one that currently sits atop Liga MX, when Sporting Kansas City hosts Cruz Azul in the first leg of their the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) quarterfinal series.

“Sporting KC is a very tough team to play against,” said Cruz Azul head coach Luis Fernando Tena, who was also in charge of the club when it last won the CONCACAF club title in 1997. “We have studied their style of play since they won the championship. They haven’t changed much this year as for players besides their solid and dynamic style, which will make it harder for us.”

Cruz Azul lost for the first time in the Clausura on Friday, falling to Tigres, 3-0. Tena, though, does not believe that the team will be impacted negatively by that setback.

“The defeat against Tigres did not affect our mentality,” he said. “My players are experienced and strong-minded. Fortunately for us, soccer gives us the opportunity to play four days later and we will try to get back on the victory path.”

Sporting Kansas City is also looking to rebound from a tough 1-0 at the Seattle Sounders in both team’s Major League Soccer opener on Saturday afternoon.

Chad Barrett, who has three career CCL goals himself, scored the lone goal four minutes into second-half stoppage time on an assist from United States international Clint Dempsey.

“I think we can take positives from it,” Sporting midfielder Graham Zusi said after the game. “If we’re that hard to play against and that hard to break down we’re going to come out on top in games like this more often than not. Defensively, I thought we were very good. We can take that into Wednesday.”

While he’s unsure about the availability of fullbacks Chance Myers and Seth Sinovic, KC head coach Peter Vermes said defensive midfielder Uri Rosell is expected to return for Wednesday’s showdown.

All three were held back from the weekend’s MLS encounter.

“I have to see how they line up [Tuesday] when they come back, so we’ll see,” Vermes told MLSsoccer.com. “I’m hoping to know tomorrow. Some of it may be, I don’t want to say ‘game time’ but it might be early afternoon on Wednesday.”

Sporting KC will be without French defender Aurelien Collin, who is serving a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.

“We have to get a good result at home because going down to Mexico City will be tough,” Collin said. “I am confident my teammates will get the win this Wednesday.”

San Lorenzo

12 Sebastián Torrico

6 Santiago Gentiletti
23 Carlos Valdés
21 Emanuel Más
7 Julio Buffarini

11 Ángel Correa
5 Juan Mercier
20 Néstor Ortigoza
28 Ignacio Piatti
10 Leandro Romagnoli

26 Mauro Matos


Unión Española

13 Diego Sánchez

3 Matias Navarrete
17 Jorge Ampuero
16 Nicolas Berardo
20 Sebastián Miranda

14 Luis Pavez
10 Cristian Chávez
8 Lorenzo Faravelli

19 Gustavo Canales
22 Matias Campos Toro
11 Carlos Salóm

1-0 San Lorenzo, Matos først over en løs bold i feltet....

halvleg fortjent 1-0 føring til san lorenzo

Liga MX Preview: Cruz Azul seek form reversal, Toluca in tow

Cruz Azul need to turn their form around if they want to hold onto the Liga MX lead as Toluca keep chasing.

Luis Tena´s men had made an incredible start to the season and were on an eight-match winning run before a shock 3-0 loss to Tigres UANL on Saturday.

They followed that up with a 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City in the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday.

Cruz Azul have scored just once in their past three matches and need that to change when they host Tijuana on Saturday.

They need Marco Fabian and Mauro Formica to recapture the goalscoring form that saw them strike four times each earlier in the season.

Cristian Pellerano will be the man to look out for, with the Argentine having scored five league goals for Tijuana this season.

Toluca are three points adrift of top spot ahead of their trip to strugglers Queretaro on Friday.

Pablo Velazquez (five league goals) and Isaac Brizuela (three) have led the way up front for Toluca, who should be too good for a Queretaro side who have suffered four straight league losses.

Pachuca visit Santos Laguna hoping to stay in touch with the top two, while Pumas UNAM host Atlante.

America´s rollercoaster season is set to continue with a trip to Chiapas.

The fifth-placed side have lost four of their past five and are 10 points adrift of Cruz Azul, desperately needing some consistency to stay in touch.

Battlers Monterrey and Morelia clash on Saturday and bottom-half sides Puebla and Tigres UANL also do battle.

Leon will be aiming to bounce back to winning ways when they visit Guadalajara in the 11th round´s final game on Sunday.

Veracruz may climb off the bottom of the table if they manage to take something out of their meeting with Atlas.

Costa Rica Primera Division Wrap: Herediano stumble sends Deportivo Saprissa top

Deportivo Saprissa climbed to the top of the Costa Rica Primera Division as Herediano were held to a surprise draw.

Ronald Gonzalez´s Deportivo Saprissa side claimed their fourth straight win with a 3-0 victory over UCR at the Estadio Ernesto Rohrmoser Lahmann.

David Ramirez, Ariel Rodriguez and Michael Umana were on the scoresheet as Deportivo moved a point clear at the top.

Herediano drew 1-1 at lowly Puntarenas, who are second bottom with just two league wins from 13 matches.

Saprissa took a 54th-minute lead away from home as Ramirez chipped a stranded Carlos Mendez to make it 1-0.

The visitors needed another 25 minutes to double their lead as Rodriguez scored his sixth league goal of the season as he tapped in after UCR gave away possession poorly.

Umana sealed the points from the penalty spot on 89 minutes.

At the Estadio Lito Perez, Herediano took the lead on the hour-mark.

Yendrick Ruiz delightfully flicked in a cross, but the visitors were unable to hold on for three points.

Daniel Quiros´ scrappy equaliser 10 minutes from full-time snatched a point for Puntarenas, who are winless in their past six matches.

Alajuelense slipped seven points behind the leaders after a surprise 4-2 loss at Limon, while Santos de Guapiles and Uruguay drew 1-1.

Carmelita and Cartagines also played out a 1-1 draw.

CONCACAF Champions League Wrap: Joy for MLS clubs

Sporting Kansas City and the Los Angeles Galaxy claimed narrow wins in the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday.

In the first legs of their quarter-final ties, both MLS outfits were 1-0 victors to set themselves up nicely ahead of trips to Mexico.

Kansas City edged Liga MX leaders Cruz Azul, while the Galaxy held on for victory against Tijuana.

http://www.youtube.com/w…_6yxNtIB0-4

http://www.youtube.com/w…TmnCuCf96G4


For Peter Vermes´ Kansas City side, the clash at Sporting Park was the second of five games in 15 days.

But Kevin Ellis´ 17th-minute goal was all they needed to take a huge step towards the semi-finals.

Picked out by Claudio Bieler, the full-back cut inside from the left before drilling a low shot inside Jose Corona´s near post.

The hosts had the better of the chances during the first half and Bieler almost doubled their advantage, only to see his shot from just outside the area tipped around the post by Corona.

Mariano Pavone almost levelled for Cruz Azul during the second half, but after rounding Eric Kronberg, the Argentine saw his shot cleared off the line by a desperate Ike Opara.

Benny Feilhaber was fortunate to not see red for Sporting when he kept out a header with his arm on the goal line.

At the other end, Graham Zusi rattled the crossbar with a thunderous strike, but Sporting somehow held on.

Sporting will take the one-goal advantage to the Estadio Azul for the second leg on March 19.

At the Stubhub Center in California, Robbie Keane fortuitously set up Samuel on 11 minutes as the Galaxy overcame Tijuana.


The former Tottenham star was involved in the lead up but his failure to control a Marcelo Sarvas cross inside the area was capitalised on by Samuel, who was on hand to tap in the game´s only goal.

Copa Libertadores Wrap: Nacional Asuncion rise late, Botafogo beaten

Nacional Asuncion struck late to deny Atletico Mineiro in the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday as Botafogo were beaten.

Defending champions Atletico Mineiro saw their perfect start to Group 4 come to an end after a 2-2 draw in Paraguay.

http://www.youtube.com/w…bEw3H7m1adc

Marcos Melgarejo opened the scoring for the hosts in the ninth minute at the Estadio Antonio Aranda, tucking away Fredy Bareiro´s through ball.

Ronaldinho set up Josue´s 22nd-minute equaliser as the former Barcelona and Milan star used his neat touch to find room before picking out the midfielder to finish in a one-on-one.

Just five minutes later and the Brazilian visitors were ahead as Jesus Datolo´s strong run from the left led to Jo tapping in the easiest of goals.

The goal stood despite replays showing the star striker was offside.

But the hosts found an equaliser of their own three minutes before full-time as Silvio Torales drilled a penalty down the middle and just under the crossbar.

Despite the draw, Atletico remain top on seven points, three clear of Nacional Asuncion and four ahead of both Santa Fe and Zamora.

Juan Falcon´s 84th-minute goal saw Zamora to a 2-1 win over Santa Fe at the Estadio Rafael Agustin Tovar.

http://www.youtube.com/w…QO7XlRRYOlc

Pedro Ramirez´s cheekily under-hit penalty on the hour-mark put Zamora ahead before a sloppy turnover led to Jonathan Copete´s equaliser on 72 minutes.

But Falcon turned his marker wonderfully before drilling a finish into the bottom corner to give Zamora the victory.

Independiente del Valle ensured Group 2 remained close with a dramatic 2-1 victory at home to Botafogo.

http://www.youtube.com/w…4nwbhptEfIg

Christian Nunez drilled in a 26th-minute opener for the hosts before Bolivar levelled just before the hour-mark for Botafogo.

But the visitors were reduced to nine men on 74 minutes when Bolivar and Edilson saw red, and Independiente del Valle capitalised.

Junior Sornoza struck a brilliant 30-yard effort to give the Ecuadorians victory.

Botafogo are top on four points, with Independiente del Valle (four), San Lorenzo (four) and Union Espanola (three) close behind.

San Lorenzo and Union Espanola played out a 1-1 draw.

http://www.youtube.com/w…Hrn4cCA3XXo

In Group 7, Flamengo climbed up to second as Everton´s brace helped them to a 2-2 draw at home to Bolivar.

http://www.youtube.com/w…Z4W3HgDkVu4

Arsenal: cuatro cambios ante Peñarol

BUENOS AIRES -- Arsenal se prepara para recibir este jueves a Peñarol de Montevideo, por la tercera fecha del grupo 8 de la Copa Libertadores de América. El encuentro comenzará a las 19.10, en Sarandí, y será dirigido por el brasileño Sandro Ricci.

El plantel se entrenó el miércoles por la mañana en su estadio y luego quedó concentrado a la espera del duelo ante el equi´po de Jorge Fossati. Si bien no lo confirmó, el técnico Gustavo Alfaro metería cuatro cambios con respecto al equipo que cayó 1 a 0 ante River en el Monumental, el último domingo por el Torneo Final.

Cristian Campestrini volvería al arco en reemplazo de Alejandro Limia, en tanto que Franco Zuculini iría desde el arranque en lugar de Fausto Montero. Por su parte, Matías Zaldivia ingresaría por Matías Sánchez y Julio Furch haría lo propio por Mauricio Sperdutti.

En consecuencia, es casi un hecho que los once de Arsenal serán: Campestrini; Hugo Nervo, Mariano Echeverría, Diego Braghieri, Damián Pérez; Zuculini, Zaldivia, Iván Marcone, Ramiro Carrera; Furch y Milton Caraglio.

Por su parte, el plantel de Peñarol realizó el reconocimiento del campo de juego alrededor de las 18.00 del miércoles y luego se retiró a su concentración.

Arsenal se ubica en la segunda posición del grupo 8 con tres unidades, producto de una victoria y una derrota. La zona es liderada por el Santos Laguna de México, con 7 puntos, y completan Deportivo Anzoátegui, con 2, y Peñarol con una sola unidad.