Liveblogging the CCC quarters

Well how about that, I got home from work when the sun was still out, allowing me to watch the Champions' Cup matches involving the two MLS teams.  The previous match on FSC ran over the alloted time, yet the match in Kingston kicked off after that program was completed.  Was it planned that way?  Anyway, we're off...

It's DC United against Harbour View from Kingston, in a stadium that might be half-full.  I noticed in last night's La Prensa writeup of Motagua-Pachuca match that only 10,000 showed up at the Estadio Nacional, way below expectations.

• And the commentators from Fox Sports Channel are Christian Miles and... Paul Caligiuri.  Good Lord.  I think I'll just keep it in mute.
• Ten minutes in and both teams are in feel-each-other-out mode.  Harbour View had one shot towards goal, but it was well over the bar.
• 13':  Harbour View's midfield pushed way up, leaving Gallardo in the center of the field with meters of space around him.  If his through-pass had been better weighted, Emilio could have had a run on goal.
• 15':  Jaime Moreno just signaled for a substitution.  He's grabbing the back of his leg...not good.  And Zach Wells is on the floor after a collision with one of the Harbour View players.  The trainers are looking at him but it looks like he'll stay.
• 18':  DCU Substitution.  Franco Niell will make his first appearance for DC United, entering the match for Moreno.
• 22':  There's not a lot to say about this match at the moment, but Harbour View appears to be more dynamic on the left side.
• 23': Jermaine Taylor pulls down Niell's run toward goal, and receives a yellow card.  DCU players are appealing for a red card, but yellow is all Taylor will see.
• 24': Gallardo takes the free kick, curls it beautifully around the wall, but the HV 'keeper leaps just as beautifully to his left to turn it around the far post.  The ensuing corner comes to nothing (foul in the box), and Harbour View clear away.
• 36':  That was a great effort by Harbour View, again starting on the left side, and Taylor sends his shot wide of the far post.  But that was the nicest combination of the match from either side.
• Again, the really dangerous opportunities from Harbour View have come from the left side.
• Three minutes of stoppage time.
• 45'+1:  GOALLLLLLL DC United!!!  Out of nothing, out of DCU's first foray in the box, a goal!  Gallardo's shot is blocked in the box, but it falls to Devon McTavish who just realized what he had and finished clinically in the far corner.  Harbour View 0-1 DC United
• Halftime.  A sterile first half ends with a DCU lead that I have to say is undeserved.  Harbour View were more dynamic on the flanks but couldn't translate that action into any real scoring chances, while DC United played like a side with players getting familiar with each other -- which it is.  They made the most of their lone opportunity, and they're in the lead.
• From looking at the first half highlights, Gallardo has been the best player on the field.  He was at the center of DCU's offensive production, and he opened the play that led to McTavish's goal.
• Second half kicks off in Kingston.
• 53':  Marc Burch sees a yellow card.
• I think this is a Jamaican production - the director has a curious choice of camera shots.
• 56':  A really bad error by the Jamaican defense sees Emilio with a clear chance on goal, but he flubs the shot.  Shocking.  That should have been 2-0.
• 60':  The Harbour View defense is really tentative in the box, but United just can't put together a dangerous shot on goal.  Yup, it definitely feels like they're in preseason mode.
• 72':  Harbour View substitution.  Keith Kelly for Richard Edwards.
• And that substitution pays immediate dividends as a sliding challenge from Kelly(?) produces Harbour View's best scoring opportunity.   DCU seem to be lying back, a bit early for that.
• Scarlett has been HVFC's best player on the field, but his crosses could be better placed.
• 78': Palmer shakes off a challenge in the middle of the field, and his long-distance shot flies wide.  It looked more
• 79':  Harbour View substitution.  Kevin Bryan for Rakief Thomas.  They said it was the third substitution, I'll try to find out what the second one was.
• 80': DC United substitution.  Daniel Stratford for Franco Niell.
• This match hasn't been the easiest to watch, but I'm doing it for you, dear readers, and to repay the lack of posts over the past month.
• 85':  Harbour View put together some nice touches, and Hue's shot draws a corner.
• 86':  GOAL Harbour View.  The corner swings outward, the ball stays in the air and three Harbour View players converge on it.  Don't know who got it, but Lovel Palmer says that he scored it.  Harbour View 1-1 DC United, and that's a fair result to the Jamaican side.
• Into second-half stoppage time now...
• The commentators are going on about how these matches will give United and Dynamo an advantage going into the MLS season.  I'm not so sure.  Both sides suffered a post-CCC letdown in the beginning of the season -- granted, they recovered and are back in the CCC, but I don't think the Cup was the reason for that.
• Full time:  Harbour View 1-1 DC United.  Fair result in my opinion, and one that's flattering to DCU considering that they have a squad unfamiliar with each other.   The MLS side should have the advantage when the return leg comes to RFK next week.