2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition) [R]

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

record of 2-5-1

Doesn't say much, but that certainly doesn't mean to underestimate them

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

Yes, but the difference is that last year the MLS teams had the opening leg in the US and played the second leg on the road. The LA game in Costa Rica was the final leg, so one way or another one team was going to score more goals and win there.

Houston and DC have the opportunity to come back home for the second leg. Also, the games are a week earlier this year than last year, so the MLS teams are at more of a disadvantage as far as fitness and form. So, you have to expect that both teams will play pretty close to the vest in the opening match, hoping to be able to come back home with guys who are a bit more match fit and on form after playing the opening match. I think it would be a tremendous mistake for the MLS teams to try to push for an early goal, as you describe. They should conserve energy in the first half and be very happy with a tie.

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

As long as they arnt throwing shit that will hurt one of them, they should be fine. Only a 9k stadium? They(Puntarenas)better bring it to Aggie land if they want to advance. Expect the sea of orange to take over and be even more hostile than them

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

Except....

In a hostile country the crowd truely is "the 12th man" no better example of that will be the match in Puntarenas.

How do you take the crowd out of the game? An early goal. It really is that simple.

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

Dude, they're gonna be throwing stones at players down there. I doubt Aggie land is gonna be nearly as hostile to them as they will be to Dynamo.

And arent Puntarenas Orange too? hehe

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

Well,Puntarenas is in the middle of their season,so they will be in form. The Dom believes the Dynamo will not be able to pressure the Ticos for 90 min.
Houston tends to be attacking minded and leaves the back unprotected at times. and even if we score first,the Dynamo will not close ranks.

I have not seen Puntarenas play at all,so if they draw first blood,they might just get another goal before it's all said and done.
I'll be looking for a 2-1 victory for my Dynamo.

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

It seemed to work so well for LA last year, didn't it? I watched that game and I seem to recall that the crowd was very much into the match.

I see your point, but I think one of the biggest issues here will be DC and Houston's players not being match fit. They won't have the energy to press the attack and play aggressively for 90 minutes.

And don't expect a very big crowd - from what we've read, Puntarenas averages only a few thousand people at their matches. And this is going to be a mid-week, middle of the day, match.

We'll see, at least it's interesting to be talking about meaningful matches about to be played!

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

What i'd like to know is how in the name of futbol did Houston end up getting a Mexican ref on BOTH legs? I hope this is wrong. If not then Oliver Luck should be protesting to CONCACAF.

from CONCACAF:
http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.asp?id=3722

QF 2
21.02.2007: Puntarenas, COSTA RICA; Miguel Lito Perez Stadium (13:35)
PUNTARENAS FC (CRC) – HOUSTON DYNAMO (USA)
R: German ARREDONDO (MEX)

01.03.2007: College Station, Texas USA; Aggie Soccer Complex (20:05)
HOUSTON DYNAMO (USA) – PUNTARENAS FC (CRC)
R: Benito ARCHUNDIA (MEX)

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

Yea, them ripoff artists
They were our colors even before Holland came up with them

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

Puntarenas not having decent lights could be the best thing for Houston, if they only end up with 1-2K fans it's not going to be a very hostile environment.

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

It should be a hostile environment, as you say (maybe not full, but hostile).

Puntarenas was fined for fans throwing objects last month in a home match. The report didn't say what kind of objects, but supposedly the ref was hit.

See tihs post

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

Both MLS Teams aren't ready. DC United is barely reforming with their new manager.

Sadly, MLS is to blame for this

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

I would expect more than 2k considering this tournament is their only international bragging-rights chance; unlike the Mexican sides who have other events to look forward to (Libertadores).

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

I am confident DC will pull away after both legs are played (especially considering Olimpia's poor domestic form as of late); Houston though, will have tough going.

BTW, here is a look at where DC will be playing: holds 35k; evening game, and a good chance for a big crowd (considering returning hated player)...one positive: there is a track surrounding the pitch (stones must travel further )

link to more photos: http://www.fussballtempel.net/concacaf/HON/Tiburcio.html

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

For what? For making their season run the only time feasible considering the weather and stadium availability? DAMN YOU MLS!!! Damn you for putting practical concerns ahead of the importance of the Concacaf Champions Cup that no one cares about!!!! DAMN YOU!!!!!

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

I'd give the advantage to Houston over DCU because there has been more continuity for the Dynamo. Same coach, same starters except for Serioux (Cochrane, who will start for Serioux, had a lot of playing time last year while Serioux was out injured).

But DCU has much the same lineup as last year, except for losing Adu and adding Emilio, don't they? So they should know how to play with each other. It's more a question of how much the coaching change impacts the team.

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

Yea, the spots are oficcialy Mexico's now.

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

video of Puntarenas atmosphere (there is an on field fight half way through video):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdJHhUIxk_Y

video of Olimpia vs league rival Motagua (Olimpia goal is 4 minutes into video...the place goes ape!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKFJ1vomz-Y

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

Like I have said before: "There should be NO reason on Why Houston or DC should not advance to the next round."

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

Damn olimpia has some crazy fans....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zf1pDBP3h1s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXfGeNlPjRU

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

well...good luck to DC this week, I'll be watching on FSC

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

Im going to watch the games also. But i won be able to watch the Dyanamo games, isn't it like at 1 pm Central Time??

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

yup...tivo/dvr will help

 

Re: 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup (MLS Edition)

Olimpia vs Marathon

Check out the fight in the stands and Emilio's goal celebration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb8R1Io_xVk