Atlante took a major step towards representing CONCACAF at the FIFA Club World Cup by handing Cruz Azul a 2-0 loss in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final on Wednesday in Estadio Azul.
The two road goals are a major advantage for Atlante, who will head home in a comfortable position ahead of what could be an historic achievement for Atlante.
Entering the tournament way back last summer, few expected much from Atlante. They were the forgotten Mexican club as Pumas, Santos and Cruz Azul were likely to duke it out for the championship. All four teams reached the knockout rounds but thus far Atlante have been the most successful, knocking out Santos in the semis and now close to doing the same to la Maquina.
Atlante vs. Manchester United? Could happen.
Showing posts with label Atlante. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Atlante. Show all posts
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
CONCA-Champions Final
Cruz Azul have a storied history, although the current Clausura 2009 season doesn't exactly show that. La Maquina are struggling in league, having won just twice in 14 games played. But Cruz Azul have a shot of making history as they could win the first-ever CONCACAF Champions League champions.
La Maquina will host Atlante in the CCL final tonight, the first leg of it anyway, and the series will shift to Cancun for next week's decisive second leg.
Cruz Azul have been piss poor in league, as have Atlante. But the way the tournament is set up, the winner will have several months to improve before the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off.
It's of little consolation to the teams' respective Clausura campaign. And the two teams have long ago written the season off. Atlante rested several key players in their game on Friday, a 2-1 loss at Tecos, while Cruz Azul have had a seemingly different focus on the CCL.
It's tough to predict this series, given the two teams' poor league form. Cruz Azul and Atlante each have done well to reach this stage, and each faced a difficult task in the semifinal series. Atlante needed a late penalty to beat Santos while Cruz Azul needed penalty kicks to knock out Puerto Rico.
Cruz Azul have the advantage tonight in hosting Atlante, and with nothing else to play for expect both teams to give all of their efforts to winning the CCL and at least walking away from these last months with something to show for their efforts.
La Maquina will host Atlante in the CCL final tonight, the first leg of it anyway, and the series will shift to Cancun for next week's decisive second leg.
Cruz Azul have been piss poor in league, as have Atlante. But the way the tournament is set up, the winner will have several months to improve before the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off.
It's of little consolation to the teams' respective Clausura campaign. And the two teams have long ago written the season off. Atlante rested several key players in their game on Friday, a 2-1 loss at Tecos, while Cruz Azul have had a seemingly different focus on the CCL.
It's tough to predict this series, given the two teams' poor league form. Cruz Azul and Atlante each have done well to reach this stage, and each faced a difficult task in the semifinal series. Atlante needed a late penalty to beat Santos while Cruz Azul needed penalty kicks to knock out Puerto Rico.
Cruz Azul have the advantage tonight in hosting Atlante, and with nothing else to play for expect both teams to give all of their efforts to winning the CCL and at least walking away from these last months with something to show for their efforts.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Atlante prevail
Atlante beat Santos 3-1 on Wednesday and joined Cruz Azul in the CONCACAF Champions League final.
The match was fairly exciting and intense but seemed to unravel at the end. The match was decided by Rafael Marquez Lugo, who converted a penalty in stoppage time to give Atlante the series-clinching goal. Three red cards ensued as a brawl broke out deep in stoppage time.
Now, I don't know if the call was a penalty or not. The referee called a penalty on Alejandro Figueroa for knocking down Gabriel Pereyra inside the box, and Marquez Lugo converted the spot kick.
I suppose one way around the officiating issue would be to allow for domestic officials in these country-versus-country matches. A Mexican referee would be used to the contact, fouls and dives that exist in the league, and at the very least there would be a lot more familiarity with the teams and the style of play because of that. It;s one thing for a, say Canadian ref to officiate a match between a Mexican and Costa Rican club, but when it's Mexico-vs-Mexico, just seems natural that a Mexican ref would best know how to call the game.
Anyway, here are the highlights.
The match was fairly exciting and intense but seemed to unravel at the end. The match was decided by Rafael Marquez Lugo, who converted a penalty in stoppage time to give Atlante the series-clinching goal. Three red cards ensued as a brawl broke out deep in stoppage time.
Now, I don't know if the call was a penalty or not. The referee called a penalty on Alejandro Figueroa for knocking down Gabriel Pereyra inside the box, and Marquez Lugo converted the spot kick.
I suppose one way around the officiating issue would be to allow for domestic officials in these country-versus-country matches. A Mexican referee would be used to the contact, fouls and dives that exist in the league, and at the very least there would be a lot more familiarity with the teams and the style of play because of that. It;s one thing for a, say Canadian ref to officiate a match between a Mexican and Costa Rican club, but when it's Mexico-vs-Mexico, just seems natural that a Mexican ref would best know how to call the game.
Anyway, here are the highlights.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Santos win first leg
Atlante got a road goal but Santos got the win in a 2-1 triumph over los Potros in Torreon on Wednesday.
Santos' Darwin Quintero, who has made his presence felt at different times this tournament, scored both goals. The second goal was a thing of beauty. With the game tied 1-1 in the second half, Quintero dribbled towards the penalty area on a quick counter. With Atlante's Federico Vilar well off his line, Quintero chipped the ball from about 22 yards out over Vilar's head and into the back of the net.
From the start of the tournament, Santos had stated their desire to win the tournament. The team has been dominant at home, having won all five of their home games during the tournament.
Santos' Darwin Quintero, who has made his presence felt at different times this tournament, scored both goals. The second goal was a thing of beauty. With the game tied 1-1 in the second half, Quintero dribbled towards the penalty area on a quick counter. With Atlante's Federico Vilar well off his line, Quintero chipped the ball from about 22 yards out over Vilar's head and into the back of the net.
From the start of the tournament, Santos had stated their desire to win the tournament. The team has been dominant at home, having won all five of their home games during the tournament.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Down and out
Nice to see Houston defend their colors and MLS, for 20 minutes anyway.
Atlante 3, Houston 0. Atlante wins CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series by a 4-1 aggregate and are through to the semifinals.
I wonder... I think I included the stat in a recent column, probably the SI.com one from Friday. I think it's now an aggregate score of 44-10 that Mexican teams have over their MLS counterparts in the CCC/CCL since 2002, in games played in Mexico.
Over the years, we've heard about how MLS teams could and should be included in Copa Libertadores, which I've always felt was laughable. Now, not only do I not think MLS should have any part of Copa Libertadores, or Sudamericana for that matter, but I wonder whether they should be in the CONCACAF Champions League. Okay, that's a stretch, but four teams? Really? Based on what, exactly?
If you factor in previous results, MLS should have one team in the tournament proper and another team in the play-in round and that's it.
Atlante are through to the semifinals now. On the weekend, they can go back to stinking up the joint in league.
Atlante 3, Houston 0. Atlante wins CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series by a 4-1 aggregate and are through to the semifinals.
I wonder... I think I included the stat in a recent column, probably the SI.com one from Friday. I think it's now an aggregate score of 44-10 that Mexican teams have over their MLS counterparts in the CCC/CCL since 2002, in games played in Mexico.
Over the years, we've heard about how MLS teams could and should be included in Copa Libertadores, which I've always felt was laughable. Now, not only do I not think MLS should have any part of Copa Libertadores, or Sudamericana for that matter, but I wonder whether they should be in the CONCACAF Champions League. Okay, that's a stretch, but four teams? Really? Based on what, exactly?
If you factor in previous results, MLS should have one team in the tournament proper and another team in the play-in round and that's it.
Atlante are through to the semifinals now. On the weekend, they can go back to stinking up the joint in league.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Houston-Atlante highlights
The teams traded corner kick goals and tied 1-1 on Tuesday. The task is now monumental for Houston as they must win outright or tie 2-2 or higher in Cancun next week. They're trying to adjust to life without Dwayne De Rosario, which only makes things more difficult. Atlante could easily sit back and walk out with a 0-0 draw. Their defense is not terrible, so such a scenario is not out of the question.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Houston welcome Atlante
Houston and Atlante will renew hostilities tonight as the two teams will play in a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series. The first leg is in Houston and the next leg is scheduled for March 3 in Cancun.
The series will feature a different tiebreaker than the CONCACAF Champions Cup we became accustomed to. This time, away goals will serve as a tiebreaker. With the onus on the road team to score and the hosts to try and maintain a zero, these knockout games might have a bit more intensity.
It also means that Atlante could put a damper on Houston's spirits with one goal, even if the MLS side wins. Houston tied Pumas in Mexico City a year ago, but no MLS team has ever beaten a Mexican team on Mexican soil during a CONCACAF match. Of course, should Houston win tonight and draw next week, that would be enough to see them through no matter now many goals Atlante scores.
Atlante will bring a squad that has played more poorly than not in league this season. With a 1-4-2 record, Atlante are among the bottom of the pack and need to improve quickly to have a chance at the playoffs. Still, Luis Gabriel Rey is a formidable player. Atlante doesn't have the most anemic attack in Mexico but they've scored just eight goals in seven games.
Here are some stories on the game:
Houston Chronicle previews the game
A breakdown by Goal.com
USA Today looks at the tournament
The series will feature a different tiebreaker than the CONCACAF Champions Cup we became accustomed to. This time, away goals will serve as a tiebreaker. With the onus on the road team to score and the hosts to try and maintain a zero, these knockout games might have a bit more intensity.
It also means that Atlante could put a damper on Houston's spirits with one goal, even if the MLS side wins. Houston tied Pumas in Mexico City a year ago, but no MLS team has ever beaten a Mexican team on Mexican soil during a CONCACAF match. Of course, should Houston win tonight and draw next week, that would be enough to see them through no matter now many goals Atlante scores.
Atlante will bring a squad that has played more poorly than not in league this season. With a 1-4-2 record, Atlante are among the bottom of the pack and need to improve quickly to have a chance at the playoffs. Still, Luis Gabriel Rey is a formidable player. Atlante doesn't have the most anemic attack in Mexico but they've scored just eight goals in seven games.
Here are some stories on the game:
Houston Chronicle previews the game
A breakdown by Goal.com
USA Today looks at the tournament
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