On Tap in MLS: CONCACAF Champions Cup Semifinals 2007-03-14 00:59:46 | By: Jeff Bull After knocking off Central American opposition, the Houston Dynamo and DC United continue to carry Major League Soccer’s (MLS) torch in the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, the tournament for the top club teams in the region. They’ll face sterner opposition as that competition reaches the semifinals: major Mexican clubs CF Pachuca and CD Chivas de Guadalajara. With the MLS clubs hosting the first leg in the two-game, home-and-home series, both hope to establish a cushion to carry into the return leg in Mexico, but with both history and match-fitness working against them that will be easier said than done. Houston Dynamo v. CF Pachuca Wednesday, March 14, 8:30 p.m. EST To get past Pachuca, the Dynamo will have to improve on the ragged display turned in against Costa Rica’s FC Puntarenas in the quarterfinals. This means quicker passing and surer finishing at the very least. A couple more weeks training should help with that and they’ll need it: not only is Pachuca in the heart of the Mexican Primera Division’s regular season, they’re sitting comfortably on top of the Group 2 standings. Moreover, Pachuca counts as one of the hot teams in Mexico, winning four Primera championships since 1999. Injury issues for key Houston players - especially star midfielder Dwayne DeRosario, combined with forward Brian Ching’s slow road to recovery - hamper Houston’s odds of scoring vital goals to take into the return leg in Mexico; in goal, starting ‘keeper Pat Onstad’s absence looks less ominous given back-up Zach Wells’ stand-up performance against Puntarenas. DC United v. CD Chivas de Guadalajara Thursday, March 15, 8:00 p.m. EST DC United powered through their quarterfinal series versus Honduras’ CD Olimpia and they’ll need to equal that performance at the very least to keep up with Chivas, one of Mexico’s most popular clubs as well as being the most historically successful. While offensive stars like midfielder Christian Gomez and forwards Luciano Emilio and Jaime Moreno will need to click, DC will need their sometimes-shaky defense to hold firm at home for the club to have a chance of proceeding to the Champions’ Cup final. The possible absence of starting ‘keeper Troy Perkins hardly helps in that regard, but back-up Jay Nolly picked up some valuable game time against Olimpia. With Chivas not only topping the Group 1 standings in their bit of the Primera, but tied for the lead in scoring, DC’s defense will have to turn in something special. (NOTE: All semifinal games will be televised on Fox Soccer Channel. Visit www.soccertv.com for listings.)
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