The MLS had two teams in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, but both D.C. United and, defending MLS champion, Houston Dynamo lost in the semifinals.
Houston Loses in Costa Rica 3-0
Saprissa from Costa Rics cruised to a 3-0 vicotry over Hoston Dynamo in a match played in San Jose, Costa Rica. Saprissa’s Celso Borges and Jairo Arrieta scored goals for the Costa Rica club to push past Dynamo into the finals. After playing to a 0-0 draw in the first game in Houston it was a tall order for the MLS Dynamo to go down to Costa Rica and come away with a victory. Saprissa dominated the game on both ends, as Houston did not have many chances to score. Saprissa won the series 3-0 on aggregate.
D.C. United Ousted in Semifinals by Mexican Club
Even though D.C. United scored goals in the last 5 minutes and defeated Mexico’s Pachuca 2-1 in Washington D.C. they lost the series 3-2 on aggregate. Pachuca advances to the CONCACAF Champions Cup final.
Pachuca, who are the defending champion, will play Saprissa of Costa Rica in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final, which will begin on April 22.
On April 1 in the first leg of the series D.C. United lost to Pachuca 2-0 in Mexico. In the second leg of the series D.C. United fell behind 1-0 in the 76th minute, as Pachuca’s Damien Alvarez found the back of the net.
In the 85th minute Rod Dyachenko evened the score 1-1 took a cross from Fred and fired a right footed scorcher that found the back of the twine. In the 90th minute Fred set up another United goal sending a pass to Franco Niell, who buried the shot from the top of the penalty area.
United’s Luciano Emilio had a couple of chances to score in the game, as he could not handle a ball only a couple of feet away from an open net in the first half and in the second half he headed a ball from 7 yards out that was stopped by Pachuca goalie Miguel Calero.
Mexican clubs seem to be a nemesis for D.C. United in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Tournament, as the MLS club has not beat a club from Mexico in the tournament in a decade.
