[This is the start of a three-part review of this season's CONCACAF Champions League. The first part will deal with the competition itself. The second part will give my impressions of the tournament organization and execution. The third will be my attempt at a Best XI for this year's competition.]
This year, CONCACAF became the last of the worldwide football confederations to transform its regional club championship into a league-type competition. There were a lot of questions about the Champions League, both on and off the field. Were CONCACAF capable of organizing in a competent manner a long and complex tournament like the Champions League? Would the matches be competitive? Who would dominate? Would the public care?
This post will address the questions pertaining to the competition on the field. I start with what I felt were the main themes of this year's Champions League:
Mexican teams dominant. All four of Mexico's representatives advanced to the group stage (UNAM only had to play a single match against Harbour View in Mexico thanks to Hurricane Gustav), all four advanced to the knockout stages, the final was all-Mexican for the third time in four years, and the eliminated Mexican sides were knocked out solely by a fellow Mexican club. They didn't have a perfect record throughout the competition and they were made to sweat by seemingly lesser opponents at times (more on that below), but they exploited their depth and experience to advance to the later rounds.
MLS disaster. In contrast to the Mexican teams, the performance of the US clubs was a photographic negative of their biggest rivals. None of the two MLS sides in the preliminary round advanced to the group stage, and one (NE Revolution) lost in particularly embarrassing fashion. DC United and Houston won just 10 of 36 possible points in the group stage, and nine of those points were won by the Dynamo. The quarterfinal round was the best Houston could hope for, especially after DeRosario was sent to Toronto FC, and they exited quietly to the eventual champions Atlante. One can employ the standard excuses about injuries, lack of squad depth, the constraints of the MLS calendar, or the lack of match fitness in the case of the knockout stages. But those excuses are wearing thin -- correction, they have worn thin. The same mistakes are being made by MLS sides at the international level, and they simply have to get better -- assuming that the Champions League is even a priority to them. If this lack of performance continues in 2009-10, the push to take away slots from MLS representatives will intensify in 2010-11.
USL surprise. The success of the Puerto Rico Islanders and the Montreal Impact was perhaps the biggest story of the tournament, brought into sharp relief by the MLS' failures. What was most impressive about the two teams were their bravery and their ability to achieve results in tricky locales. In the end, the Islanders and Impact demonstrated that they were, in fact, second-tier teams -- their lack of experience and midfield presence in end-game situations caused them to throw away aggregate goal leads in Mexico (admittedly a difficult environment). Even so, they did their league proud. Maybe MLS will treat USL with a little more respect in the future.
Costa Rica disappointment. Alajuelense were hard done by in Puerto Rico, but Saprissa threw away an opportunity to knock out a Mexican side at the group phase. Full credit should be given to them for respecting the principles of Fair Play, but they appeared to forget that they still needed to win or at least force a draw to advance to the knockout round. Ten points from six matches is a decent record and would have been good enough to advance from two of the other three groups, but it was disappointing that no Costa Rican clubs were represented in the knockout stages.
All regions present. The Champions League appeared to be a much bigger deal in Central America and Canada than the rest of the CONCACAF region, but in truth all regions came to play. There were competitive matches throughout the confederation, and the elite teams were made to work for their results.
That last theme provides a good transition into what I felt were the most memorable matches from the 2008-09 Champions League season.
Puerto Rico 2-1 Alajuelense: After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Alajuelense scored early in the deciding match in Bayamón. They were on their way to an appearance in the group stage until the 87th minute, when Jagdeosingh scored a very dubious goal. The Alajuelense players were never able to get over that goal, and Puerto Rico scored the winner with seconds remaining. The Islanders' wonderful adventure in the Champions League took off from there.
New England Revolution 0-4 Joe Public: The first leg ended 2-1 to Joe Public, and the Trinidadian side hammered the Revs in Gillette stadium. All of the goals were of high-quality, assisted by a shambolic defense. I said at the time that the result was perhaps the most embarrassing result by an American club in international competition. Almost a year later, I still believe that.
UNAM 4-4 Houston: One of the most incredible results of the group stage. MLS teams have an extremely poor record in Mexico, but if there was one side that could manage a positive result there it would be Houston Dynamo. The first half was sensational -- Houston raced out to a 2-0 lead in the first 15 minutes, then Pumas tied up the match, Houston scored a third goal, then Pumas scored twice in the final five minutes of the first half to take a 4-3 lead. The Dynamo scored the equalizer early in the second half and the match ended in a 4-4 stalemate.
Puerto Rico 3-1 Santos: I think this match was the Islanders' breakthrough moment. They had defeated Tauro in their first CCL group match, but the comprehensive victory over Santos in the pouring rain demonstrated that they were a side to be taken seriously. I watched that match in a state of stunned amazement.
Marathón 2-0 Cruz Azul: Another great game that showed the Mexican clubs that they would have to earn their Champions league victories. Marathón were too fast on the edges for Cruz Azul and scored two very well-taken goals. And we were introduced to Marvin Chávez on the right flank -- a burner with the ability to turn opposing defenses inside out.
Montreal - Santos series: Canada embraces the Impact -- and the Champions League -- in a very big way. Over 55,000 pack the Olympic Stadium and will the Impact to a 2-0 victory over Santos. The second leg will live long in the memory of Impact fans for contradictory reasons. The Impact play bravely and score two precious away goals in the first half, forcing Santos to score four times. In the second half, the Impact cede the midfield and prove unable to weather a furious Santos attack on goal, and they give up those four goals, including two in stoppage time. The most incredible result I have ever witnessed or read about in CONCACAF club competition.
Puerto Rico - Cruz Azul series: Puerto Rico almost spoils the all-Mexican Champions League final. They score a memorable 2-0 result in Bayamón, but their defense is found wanting in the final minutes and Cruz Azul score a late goal that forces the overtime period. Incredibly, Puerto Rico score a goal early in the overtime period but Villaluz scores the equalizer six minutes later. I'll remember the match for screaming at the FSC commentators that the away goals rule is no longer in effect if the two-leg series goes to extra time. (They corrected themselves a few minutes later, so I'd like to think I had something to do with that.) Puerto Rico exhausted themselves with their brave defending in the extra session, and the Cruz Azul players' legs were strong enough to win the penalty shootout. A heartbreaking end to a brave and memorable Champions League campaign, and a tragedy to those who wanted one more surprise in the competition.
Most of the memorable matches from this season's Champions League involved Puerto Rico or Montreal. Funny that.
CORRECTION: Tim in the comments reminded me that the first leg of the Joe Public-New England series ended 2-1 to Joe Public (Revs scored a late penalty). I've corrected the text above.
The Joe Public - New Engalnd series was 2-1 after the first leg. new England scored on a late PK. As a Revs fan, I agree with your assessment of that fiasco.
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