They start tomorrow, so it's time to give a preview of the return matches in the quarterfinals (or 1/4 round for those overseas) of the Champions' Cup. Kickoff times are local. This post might be updated to account for last-minute news reports.
Guadalajara vs. W Connection (28 Feb, 20:45 hrs)
W Connection leads aggregate 2-1
This is probably the biggest match involving a team from Trinidad and Tobago since the WC playoff series against Bahrain. W Connection have been in Mexico for over a week to acclimatize to the conditions there, but what I find most impressive is that they left in the middle of Carnival -- which is a really big deal in T&T. Connection have a very young squad - almost 70% of the team is under 25 - with deep connections to the club (at least ten who are products of the youth system). Two of those players will be asked to fulfill critical roles, such as Kerwyn Beckles, who substituted as goalkeeper in place of the suspended Jan Michael Williams, and Kern Cupid, who takes over defensive midfield duties from Christian Viveros, who could not get a visa into Mexico. I expect Connection to play a defensive match with any offensive forays based on the counterattack, perhaps with one player up front. Connection's backline will have a tall order against a side that is currently at the top of the overall standings in the Primera División and are one of the top attacking sides in Mexican football. Omar Bravo and Alberto Medina are among the top scorers in the Clausura tournament, and they will be key to the outcome of the match. The defeat in Trinidad and Tobago created shockwaves throughout the Mexican press, who see this match as a chance for Chivas to "wash clean their honor". As much as I'd like to see a bonafide gatecrasher in the CONCACAF semis, I don't see it happening - it's going to be very difficult for Connection to keep Guadalajara off the board at home for ninety minutes. I do expect a nervous game if goals aren't scored quickly.
Prediction: Guadalajara wins 2-0 and advances.
Marquense vs. Pachuca (28 Feb, 18:15 hrs)
Pachuca leads aggregate 2-0
This appears to be one of the 'settled' ties of the round. Marquense have won all of their games so far in the Clausura, but they have only played three games because of a backlog of postponed matches (not really sure why). Even without playing well Pachuca gained a two-goal advantage in Mexico and this side has demonstrated that they can win on the road. Even so, Enrique Meza has brought his full compliment of players (no one injured or suspended) to Guatemala for this match.
Prediction: Pachuca wins 2-0 and advances.
Houston vs. Puntarenas (01 Mar, 20:05 hrs)
Puntarenas leads aggregate 1-0
This could be the match of the round. There are already some forced changes in the Puntarenas side -- midfielders Kevin Sancho and Leonardo Ocamica could not join the squad because they were denied a visa into the USA, but Michael Barrantes returns from suspension. For Houston Dynamo, they will be without 'keeper Pat Onstad who suffered a calf injury 20 minutes into the first leg match. Their players are still steamed about the result, and are eager to turn it around at Texas A&M's soccer complex. To do so, they will need a better performance in midfield than they got in Costa Rica. It was a very disjointed attack that lost possession way too easily. They also need to eliminate the fouls outside the area, as Puntarenas have demonstrated that they can score from set-piece situations. Zach Wells performed well under challenging situations, and Dynamo really need Brian Ching in the lineup (not sure if he will play - a recurrence of his hamstring problem?). It's an evenly-match series, and I think it could more than 180 minutes to decide it.
Prediction: Dynamo win 2-1 and advance on penalties.
DC United vs. Olimpia (01 Mar, 19:05 hrs)
DC United leads aggregate 4-1
The other 'settled' tie of the round. DCU took apart Olimpia in a way that not even their most committed partisans could have imagined. It is not coincidental that all of their goals were scored by their South American imports, who have experience playing in that kind of environment. The match really put the leones into a deeper crisis - reports from Honduras stated that their coach was ready to resign after the game but reversed himself, and the players are now refusing to talk to the press. At least Olimpia won last weekend, but they are still having a disastrous Clausura campaign - not at all resembling the team that dominated Honduran football over the past year and a half. DCU understandably has a lot of confidence going into Thursday's match and should be able to advance as long as they don't lose their focus.
Prediction: DCU win 2-0 and advance.
Comments