MLS Teams in the CONCACAF Champions Cup [R]

At least Galaxy tied. I never expected an away win,
just keep the score respectable and try to make up the difference at home.

Might as well put a fork in the Revs. Done before they start -- 2 matches in Costa Rica?

Fuggeddaboudit.

 

I believe that there has only been one MLS club that has won away in this tournament, the Kansas City Wizards winning down in Trinidad & Tobago a year or so ago. Andy Mead would have the full details on that fixture.

Yesterday's results are certainly not encouraging, perhaps save for the Galaxy. From the sound of things the Crew were apparently played off the pitch, while CSD Municipal was up 3-0 at half-time and missing their top three scorers.

San Jose will have the toughest test even playing at Spartan, having to overcome a two-goal aggregate advantage for Municipal without two of their starting defenders.

The Galaxy have a good shot out in Fullerton, and it will be interesting to see how things turn out in Columbus. They play Unido on Sun, Mar 23, 2003 at 4:00pm in Crew Stadium, the weather tentatively slated to be mostly cloudy with highs in the low 50's.

The Revs have theirt work cut out for them, but maybe they can pull off a miracle.

The Magpie

 

Hopefully Andy won't mind me quoting him..

Here is a post Andy made yesterday in the Crew forum...

 

This might be the only time that I would support bunker ball because I think its the only way NE has a chance with both games in CR. The Revs will have an interesting time dodging the bags of urine thrown at them by the Tico supporters.

 

Yes, but there were several ejections on the others sides also. Interesting to note that several of the yellows, including Ruiz' 2nd, were for "dissent".

There is the advantage of starting a week later than the others in that the Revs are fully forewarned about the necessity of keeping their composure. We'll see if they have the discipline to do it.

 

I think that it's a given that no US team is going to get the border-line calls. I didn't see any of the games (who did?), but I can't say I was surprised to see that several MLS players were sent off. I recall it was both DC and KC who got jobbed by refs in this tournament in the past, and were forced to play the second leg without some key players.

That said, it is extremely important to not let your emotions get the best of you. Ruiz getting a second yellow for dissent seems like an extremely foolish thing to do, but I don't know the details. When in doubt, keep your mouth shut!

The Galaxy will advance with a home win, and if Columbus wins 1-0 at home, they will move on too. I don't think that those results are out of the question. San Jose will have a tougher job, but a home 2-0 win will do the job for them as well.

As for the Revs, Brownswan said it best. Fuggeddaboudit.

Tom

 

These results, plus the fact that there are actual games going on make me even madder that our ownership chucked away any chance for the Revs to even make a decent showing. I suppose we can write this off as a pair of early season training matches with some bite but training for what? To once again play in the kind of hermetically sealed competitive bubbles that constitute all the "major" professional leagues in this country? People whose idea of a "world championship" consists of playing other in-country teams and then having a victory parade to brandish a trophy that hasn't even been contested internationally?

I know this tournament is small potatoes when compared to the Libertadores and UEFA Cups or the Champions League but you have to start somewhere and I, for one, am very, very anxious to do just that. Don't get me wrong, I love playing our MLS rivals, the more intensity that gets piled on that, the better. But playing internationally only makes our players and team that much better. At the same time, to handcuff them competitively is irresponsible management, disrespects the coaches, players and fans and is developmentally challenged.

Remind me to yawn the next time I see the steroidball-boyz parading their "world championship" trophy through that great Valhalla of international sporting celebrations, City Hall Plaza. I think it's called provincialism (and not my attitude, theirs!).

JIM DOW

 

Ahh I love the belief in our team

So I take it that you have seen LDA play ? What formation do they use ? Are they strong in the midfield, have a good pair of forwards ?

In fact, I bet most of you had never even heard of this team until they were matched against the Revs

Folks, we aren't playing Manchester United. If these guys were so good why are they still playing in Costa Rica ????

 

FYI, CONCACAF does not have the away goals rule. If Columbus wins by a goal and the aggregate score is equal after 90 minutes, the teams play a 30-minute golden goal period, followed by PKs (if necessary).

 

hes a mutts fan.

 

"Ahh I love the belief in our team. So I take it that you have seen LDA play ? What formation do they use ? Are they strong in the midfield, have a good pair of forwards? In fact, I bet most of you had never even heard of this team until they were matched against the Revs."

Actually, there are a number of fans who've heard of LDA before, specifically when two of their better players (Wilmer Perez and Stephen Bryce) were linked with possible moves to the Revolution a few years back when the Revs travelled to Costa Rica for their annual pre-season training trip. Fans should also be familiar with any number of their players with National Team experience, having seen them play in World Cup qualifiers and the 2002 Finals in Korea/Japan.

To answer your other questions:

LDA plays a 4-4-2 formation, probably similar to that below:

Mesen

Castro Marin Chinchilla Sirias

Alfaro

Arnáez Bryce Izaguirre

Scott Fonseca

Those players indicated above were in the line-up for their recent 4-1 win over rivals Saprissa, who were ineffective in trying to play a possession game, only venturing forward on the counter.

LDA are quite strong in midfield, running most everything through Bryce or Izaguirre wide left. They're quite effective in playing in transition, using the mobility and versatility of Bryce to help spread out the defense, opening up passing lanes for the likes of Scott and Fonseca.

Their two primary attackers are Costa Rican National Team regulars Ronald Fonseca and Erick Scott. Fonseca is something of a combination of Joe-Max Moore and Twellman: bit of a poacher, quick, yet battles hard to put himself in good position. Scott is also quite quick, and he has an ability to beat defenders while also holding the ball well in tight spaces. Fonsec netted a hat-trick against Saprissa.

If LDA play Fonseca and Scott, then the Revs defense could face the most potent attacking tandem in the tournament.

A selection of quick bios:

1. Álvaro Mesén - Goalkeeper: Member of the Costa Rican National Team that competed in World Cup 2002.He has played for Alajuela since he was 18 in 1990.

2. Alexander Castro - Right Back: Younger right-side defender who's a good ball-winner and run the transition from the back, floating in from the wide position.

3. Luis Marín - Central Defender: Veteran member of the Costa Rican National Team that competed in World Cup 2002. He has a very good understanding of the game and plays with great awaerness.

4. Pablo Chinchilla - Central Defender/Def. Midfield: Played for the Costa Rican U-17 & U-20 National teams, and was a member of the Costa Rican National Team that competed in World Cup 2002. Central defender who's strong in the air and can move the ball out of the back both quickly and effectively. Also solid in defensive midfield.

5. Esteban Sirias - Left Back: Young, aggressive man-marker with pace who plays out on the wing wide-left.

6. Sandro Alfaro - Wing Back/Def. Midfield: Veteran left-side player who can play the ball up the flank well and also likes to push forward into the attack. Has 73 career goals. Good outside shot.

7. Luis Diego Arnáez - Attacking Midfield Veteran player who plays more direct to goal. Good at winning balls in midfield, balanced player with a good outside shot from the right.

8. Pablo Izaguirre - Attacking Midfield: An attacking player from Argentina with a potent left foot and good ball control. Intelligent, makes good runs off the ball, and has the abilit to beat defenders one-on-one. Plays out on the left-wing.

9. Steven Bryce - Attacking Midfielder/Forward: Member of the Costa Rican National Team that competed in World Cup 2002. Plays primarily as a central attacking midfielder for LDA, but can play up top or out wide on the wing. Good ball control skills.

10. Rolando Fonseca - Forward: All-time leading scorer in Costa Rican national team history and member of the Costa Rican National Team that competed in World Cup 2002. Exceptionally quick and quite strong in the air for a smaller player... think a more experienced version of Taylor Twellman who has a touch better acceleration with the ball.

]11. Erick Scott - Forward: Young forward with good pace, strong on the ball, and particularly effective inside the 16. Also member of the Costa Rican National Team.

Reserves could be Josef Miso (midfield), Carols Macchi (forward), Javier Delgado (midfield), and Javier Delgado (Defender).

I have faith in the team, in that, they'll try and put forth their best effort. But at this point (in the pre-season and not having all their player personnel in place), will that be good enough to be a team of such quality as LDA? I'm sorry, but I don't see the Revolution as the stronger team in this instance. A good result in my opinion would be staying within a goal or two of them in terms of the final result, say a 2-1 loss. I don't see them doing much better than that, but this would afford them some chance going into match number two. Problem is, match number two will be played before a partisan crowd down in San Jose.

I have faith, but it isn't blind.

Just FYI,

The Magpie

 

http://www.mlsnet.com/content/02/chi0321cc02.html

Chicago defeated Municipal away 1-0 last season, as well.

 

For all of their National Team players, the only player I *remember* seeing in WC02 or the qualifiers leading up to it is Fonseca.

The profiles don't list any weaknesses, only their strengths - so I don't see that as a useful scouting report.

The best players from CR go elsewhere to play - if MLS isn't a lot better than the Costa Rican league, then they have a lot further to go than most people think.

I agree with George, that expecting a powerhouse is overestimating Alajuelense.

 

Hmmmnnn.....Let's make what I admit is a stretch but compare the Rev to the USA Nats and LDA to the Ticos. OK, MLS (the US league) is probably better than the CR Divvy I as are the US Nats better than the Ticos (1/4 final WC appearance as opposed to first round exit) BUT.....EVERY time I have seen the US team play in Costa Rica they get their butts handed to them in a bag. Absolutely no contest. And playing twice? Kiss Round II goodbye. It is just simpleminded, shortsighted, penny wise/pound foolish. The Rev will get hosed, even if they turn out to be the better team come late summer.

I would just like them to have a fighting chance to prove themselves.

JIM DOW

 

hardly


the fire were 3-1-0 last year in the champions cup

 

Central American ball is pretty chippy. If you're not used to it, it invites a lot of retaliation. That can easily explain some of the cards MLS teams receive.

And even given that, there are also some ridiculous refing as well. Witness KC playing a Mexican side with Mexican refs. Or DCU getting 8 yellow cards in Guatemala against Communicaciones (Lazo Alavanja got a yellow for getting in the way of an elbow that broke his nose!).

As for the US National team playing in Costa Rica, the National team typically plays at Saprissa stadium. Not only are the fans rabid, but the stands are incredibly close to the playing field (which makes it very easy to hurl heated batteries and bags of urine) on players--let alone be close enough to almost yell in a player's ears. The USA has never taken a point in (I believe 21 matches) in Costa Rica. But that has been in Saprissa.

The Revs should expect a lot of abuse those two matches. Lots of aggressive, chippy fouls that may result in some injury, and lots of abuse from fans.

 

CR won the hex, they were 2-1-1 against us in qualifying, and got the same 4 points in group as us, including a draw with Turkey, who finished 3rd in the tournament. We're probably a little better, but not by much. Weren't they something like FIFA team of the year in 2001? I think they did some damage in Copa America also...

We are better, and we're very much on the upswing, but about 1/2 of that Cup team plays for our opponent in the tournament.

 

FWIW, I'm not convinced that if fighting breaks out in the Middle East before Sunday that the Revs won't catch the next flight out of Costa Rica and tell CONCACAF to figure out another place to play the games.

 

Surely Wilmer Lopez will be in there. He missed the Saprissa match because he was sent off the previous week. IMO he was the key player on the Costa Rican NT, their counterattacking game wasn't nearly as dangerous when he was on the bench.

A couple notes on the rest of the team.

--Scott played on their U-20 team in Argentina. He only broke into the Alajuelense lineup last spring, but scored a hat trick in the league final against Santos and was an alternate on the WC squad. He was a starter in the UNCAF Cup and will probably be a fixture on their NT for a long time.

--Sirias has just taken over for NT player Carlos Castro, who signed with a Russian club a couple weeks ago.

--Chinchilla started CR's WCQ-opening loss in Barbados, was blamed for the goals, and was dropped for the rest of qualifying. Made the final roster as late replacement for the injured Reynaldo Parks.