HexagonalBlog

UNCAF Semifinal Round

I wasn't able to watch all of the Municipal-Motagua match, but the result all but qualifies Motagua to next year's CONCACAF Champions' Cup.  Former MLS MVP Amado Guevara scored twice in the latter stages of the game to break open the deadlock on the night and swing the series toward the Honduran side.  Saprissa and Alajuelense play tomorrow in a series that has been lopsided toward the Morados (12 matches unbeaten against Alajuelense).

Municipal 3-6 Motagua (1:3, 2:3)
Saprissa 2-1 Alajuelense (1:0, 1:1)

UPDATE (10/26):  I've updated the post with the Saprissa-Alajuelense result, and I've hyperlinked press reports to the scorelines for each match.  I will attempt to do the same for every match of UNCAF and the Champions' Cup (reports for the CFU tournament may be tougher to get though).

UPDATE #2 (10/30):  I bumped the post to the top, and included the Motagua-Municipal result.

Wilson Palacios' brother kidnapped

While watching the return leg of the Motagua-Municipal series on GolTV, the commentator said that the brother of Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios was kidnapped today in the city of La Ceiba.  The Times of London has a report here.  There's nothing on Honduras' La Prensa website at this time, but I'm sure there will be something in tomorrow's edition.

From what I've read so far, it reads like an express kidnapping (secuestro express in Spanish), where someone is kidnapped in order to extort money from a wealthier relative.  It's a phenomenon that is all too common in Latin America, and it's not the first kidnapping involving a high-profile player in Honduras (David Suazo reportedly had to pay a ransom to get his brother released from kidnappers five years ago).  No wonder so many top players for Latin America try to head for Europe as soon as possible.

Adu a match-winner for Benfica

Freddy Adu continues to sit on the substitutes' bench for Benfica, but he continues to do the right things upon entering the field.  Tonight he scored the winner in Benfica's League match against Maritimo after being on the pitch for six minutes.  It's his third goal for the club, but his first in League play. 

I know that some American fans feared the worst when Camacho took over the squad and Adu found himself on the bench (and sometimes not dressing!).  Even though he's not starting, he is making the most of the opportunities given him, and if he continues that he might find himself on the starting roster before long.

The draw for CFU Club Tournament

I have no idea when the draw occurred for the CFU club tournament (anyone from CONCACAF want to tell me?  I know this site is read there!), but here it is. 

Group A
San Juan Jabloteh (Trinidad & Tobago)
SV CSD Barber (Neth. Antilles)
SV Deportivo Nacional (Aruba)
Positive Vibes FC (US Virgin Islands)

Group B
Joe Public FC (Trinidad & Tobago)
Helenites FC (US Virgin Islands)
Sagicor South East United (Dominica)
SV RCA (Aruba)

Group C
Harbour View FC (Jamaica)
Hitachi Centre Sap FC (Antigua)
Inter Moengotapoe (Surinam)
San Juan Islanders (Puerto Rico)

Group D
Portmore United FC (Jamaica)
Newtown United FC (St. Kitts/Nevis)
SV Leo Victor (Surinam)

Group E
Baltimore de St. Marc (Haiti)
Pinar del Rio (Cuba)
Bassa FC (Antigua)
Jong Colombia (Neth. Antilles)

Like last year there are group stage matches with all of the matches of a particular group at one site.  But because there are five groups instead of four in 2007, instead of just the winners advancing to the semifinals, I'm guessing that there will be a quarterfinal round comprised of the group winners and the three best second-place sides.  And because all of the group matches will be played in various sites in Trinidad & Tobago, I suppose that the knockout round matches will be played there as well.

As least, that's what I'd like to think would happen, but never underestimate the ability of CFU/CONCACAF to surprise.

UPDATE: And my guess is exactly what CFU/CONCACAF is going to do.  I forgot to mention that the matches in the CFU region start on Sunday (4 November).

Things I never expected to say during an MLS game

"Is that a flare?"

or

"I can't see the field, there's too much smoke!"

CONCACAF at the Champions League, Matchday 3 [Wednesday's matches]

I would have posted this last night, but I was busy and I didn't have enough details on the two matches involving CONCACAF players. 

Benfica won a critical Group D match by a single goal over Celtic in Lisbon.  Freddy Adu entered the game and played the final half hour for Benfica.  There's a review clip of the match on Steve Goff's blog; Freddy Adu appears near the end.  Nice flick and move into space, but not enough to properly judge his performance. 

In the other Group D match, Milan pounded Shaktar Donetsk 4-1 at the San Siro.  Nery Castillo entered the match on 63', but couldn't do much to turn the game around for the Ukrainian side.

CONCACAF at the Champions League, Matchday 3 [Tuesday's matches]

Today was a busy day for teams involving CONCACAF-based players, but the performances of those teams were subdued compared to the goal sprees found in other matches.

In a match involving the Group E leaders, Barcelona and Rangers drew 0-0 in Glasgow.  DaMarcus Beasley came on for Rangers as a substitute in the 72nd minute, and Giovani dos Santos entered the field for Barcelona ten minutes later.  Barca had most of the action, but Rangers' defensive effort held out for the draw. 

The other Group E match featured Stuttgart and Lyon.  The French champions snatched a valuable 2-0 away victory and plunged the German Bundesliga champions deeper into their crisis.  Pavel Pardo and Ricardo Osorio started for Stuttgart and played the full 90.

In Group G, PSV and Fenerbahce drew 0-0.  Carlos Salcido started and played the entire match.

Inter Milan won 2-1 at CSKA Moscow, but David Suazo did not play because of suspension.

A day of subdued performances in the clutch

First, Lewis Hamilton in Brazil.

Then, the LA Galaxy in Chicago.

DC United into CCC 2008

Chivas USA's 2-1 home defeat to Colorado Rapids -- their first home defeat of the season -- ensured that DC United would retain the MLS Supporters' Shield for the second consecutive year.   Even if Chivas defeats Houston and United lose to Columbus next weekend, United would still win the Shield based on head-to-head results between the two sides (United won and drew against Chivas). 

DCU now takes one of the two USA slots for next year's CONCACAF Champions' Cup.  The second slot would be given to the winner of the MLS Cup; if United advance to the cup final, the other finalist will go to the CCC.

DCU also advances to the SuperLiga with Chivas USA, Houston, and New England, although that race was settled some time ago.

CONCACAF at the Champions League, Matchday 2 [Wednesday's Matches]

Tonight there was only one match in the Champions League featuring teams with CONCACAF players, and that was Benfica vs. Shaktar Donetsk.  The Ukranian side won the match 1-0 on a goal by the Brazilian Jadson three minutes from halftime.  Nery Castillo entered the match for Shaktar as a substitute and played the final 13 minutes.  He was booked in the 83rd minute and very nearly scored Shaktar's second goal in stoppage time.  Freddy Adu was on the Benfica bench but left unused by manager José Antonio Camacho.