ANALYSIS: Home is no advantage in first leg
July 31, 2010
The first leg of the 2010- 11 CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary Round proved to be the exact opposite of the 2009-10 version, with only Toronto FC and the Seattle Sounders making the most of their “home-field advantage” in the opening knockout phase.
And with the home-and-away qualifying format set for these 16 teams who have their sights on the Group Stage, the common train of thought for most teams heading into their first match was twofold. If you’re at home, get the win and run up the score as much as possible to give yourself a cushion heading into the second leg.
If you’re on the road, keep things as close as you can in that first 90 minutes with an eye on taking it back to your home field just seven days later.
But despite all the preparation, the travel, the starters, the coaching decisions, the lack of fitness for some teams and last-minute tactics, the midweek matches of some of the best teams in our region resulted in some of the most surprising results in recent memory.
Both Santos Laguna and Cruz Azul dominated on the road as expected (against San Juan Jabloteh and San Francisco respectively) and are taking leads into their home legs next week while continuing to utilize their youthful depth. It’s similar to what we saw last year with both Pachuca (a 10-1 aggregate winner against Jalapa) and Cruz Azul (a 6-2 winner vs. Herediano) easily pushing into the Group Stage.
While Major League Soccer has three teams entered in the Preliminary Round (Toronto FC qualified based on winning the Nutralite Canadian Championship for the second year in a row), their match proved to be a bit trickier than most probably expected and definitely a lot more entertaining.
Toronto FC had a bit of drama surrounding their match with Honduran side Motagua. Some pundits called it Preki vs. Amado Guevera – Round 3. It was the first meeting between Guevara and his former coach since the Honduran’s release from Toronto after Preki took over in January – and that was the second time Preki had divorced himself of the mercurial midfielder after an initial dismissal from Chivas USA in 2007 after just four games.
It faded from thought when TFC took the lead in the 20th minute on Chad Barrett’s goal, and completely forgotten when Guevara was subbed out at halftime by Motagua head coach Ramon Maradiaga.
The result would hold at BMO Field, but with a MLS match on Saturday in Kansas City and the short recovery time in between travel to Honduras, is a 1-0 lead good enough to hold in Tegulcigalpa?
The second match of the night would take place in one of the most difficult places to play in Major League Soccer over the past two seasons — the Los Angeles Galaxy’s Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
The match between the Galaxy and the USSF D2’s Puerto Rico Islanders raised eyebrows when the pairing was unveiled in May. The Galaxy have enjoyed a runaway season in MLS, while the Islanders have earned the title of “Giant Killers” for victories over teams like Alajuelense, Santos Laguna and Cruz Azul in the CONCACAF Champions League over the past two years.
While Bruce Arena decided to rest a few of his big name players (namely Donovan Ricketts and Omar Gonzalez), the Galaxy starting 11 boasted the likes of Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle, Sean Franklin, Eddie Lewis and Gregg Berhalter.
But it was Puerto Rico that left the Home Depot Center 90 minutes later with a 4-1 shock result, riding the double of Nicholas Addlery and taking it back to Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium next Wednesday with a solid cushion.
The question now is how the Islanders approach the second leg knowing the Galaxy have to score at least four times, and the away goals rule could come into effect.
Wednesday night rounded out the final match for the MLS clubs when the Seattle Sounders hosted Isidro Metapan at Qwest Field in what would be the El Salvadoran club’s first competitive match since its won the Clausura title in May.
And similar to Toronto, the Sounders enjoyed much of the possession and scoring opportunities. But it was 59th-minute substitute Fredy Montero who would prevail, taking just two touches before pulling the trigger from 40 yards and beating Misael Alfaro for the winner.
With a trip to face the San Jose Earthquakes this weekend and the changing of venues to Estadio Cuscatlan (home of Alianza), will the fan atmosphere change from club vs. club to El Salvador vs. the United States? And if so, will it have any effect on the match?
With FAS and Xelaju all even at 1-1, Brujas and Joe Public level at 2-2, it was Marathon with the most comprehensive road result of the first leg, walking out of Panama with the 3-0 win over Tauro.
Last year, three of the seven teams that lost the first leg were able to reach Group Stage, and all three teams that won away from home held on to advance.
What does this season have in store for us?
By Brian Dunseth
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FAS forced to settle for 1-1 draw with Xelaju
July 31, 2010
CD FAS failed to capitalize on a extra man advantage for most of the second half and had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Xelaju Thursday in the first leg of their Preliminary Round series in the CONCACAF Champions League.
The result finished a disappointing week for first-leg hosts. Only two of eight home teams managed to win, Toronto and the Seattle Sounders – both 1-0, while four lost and Costa Rica’s Brujas also was held to a draw.
The result sends the two to next Thursday’s second leg in Guatemala with the winner advancing to the Group Stage to face Mexico’s Toluca, Olimpia of Honduras and either the Los Angeles Galaxy or the Puerto Rico Islanders.
FAS had the majority of possession but created little after Xelaju defender Carlos de Castro was ejected for a sweeping left leg tackle of Christian Alvarez in the 57th minute. The expulsion came only minutes after of the 31-year-old Uruguayan was whistled, but not carded, for a high leg near the touchline that caught Alvarez in the face.
Rain that started falling about the 65th minute didn’t help FAS, but it had only a handful of chances in the final 30 minutes. Ramon Solis had two of them, a shot from just outside the arc that was deflected over the bar in the 75th and a free kick from 35 meters in the 89th that Xelaju goalkeeper Marvin Berrios had to punch away at his left post.
Xelaju had the better possession and chances until it lost De Castro, including Nelson Crossa’s header in the 11th minute that FAS goalkeeper Luis Contreras had to leap to push off his post with his left hand.
Crossa finally put the Guatemalan side ahead in the 42nd minute, settling a high ball with his left thigh on the left side of the area, letting it bounce once and volleying it with the same foot into the far side netting.
Crossa was the first of 11 acquisitions by Xelaju since the conclusion of the Clausura in May, moving over from Municipal.
FAS , which was caught offside five times in the first half, responded a minute and a half later. Rodolfo Cordoba’s corner kick was headed toward goal and into a crowd by Roberto Pena. It bounced around to Alejandro Bentos at the right post, who sent it high to the back post where William Reyes headed in to equalize.
Xelaju was making its first appearance in the CONCACAF Champions League and first in the continental club championship since reaching the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup in the 2007-2008 season.
FAS, the most titled club in El Salvador history with 17 league crowns, also was making its Champions League debut and first appearance in the regional event since the 2005-2006 Champions Cup.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador
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CAC Games women’s tournament resurrected
July 24, 2010
The women’s soccer tournament at the Central American and Caribbean Games has been resurrected and will begin Saturday in Venezuela with six teams .
CONCACAF initially withdrew its support of all soccer, men’s and women’s, in early July when inspections of the fields in the host country of Puerto Rico were determined not to have met minimum standards. But the Venezuelan Football Federation offered to stage the matches, which will be played at the 42,000-seat Estadio Metropolitano in Merida, Venezuela.
Although 10 teams originally were scheduled to play, entrants from Costa Rica, Guyana, El Salvador and Mexico withdrew, leaving Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela to compete for the women’s title.
All but three of the original 10 teams in the men’s competition: El Salvador, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, also withdrew, leaving officials with an insufficient number of sides to conduct a tournament.
The women’s tournament will be run by a coalition of officials from the Venezuela federation, the Central American and Caribbean Sports Organization (ODECABE) (Organizacion Deportiva Centroamericana y del Caribe) and CONCACAF.
Central American and Caribbean Games
Women’s Soccer
At Merida, Venezuela
Saturday, July 24
Haiti vs. Puerto Rico
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Nicaragua
Venezuela vs. Guatemala
Monday, July 26
Nicaragua vs. Haiti
Puerto Rico vs. Guatemala
Venezuela vs. Trinidad & Tobago
Wednesday, July 28
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Puerto Rico
Haiti vs. Guatemala
Venezuela vs. Nicaragua
Friday, July 30
Guatemala vs. Trinidad & Tobago
Nicaragua vs. Puerto Rico
Venezuela vs. Haiti
Sunday, August 1
Guatemala vs. Nicaragua
Haiti vs. Trinidad & Tobago
Venezuela vs. Haiti
NEW YORK
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Mexican sides enter CCL as favorites again
July 24, 2010
Two titles, four appearances in the finals and seven of eight semifinalists. Mexico teams have dominated the CONCACAF Champions League since its inception and many aren’t predicting a change in the pattern until somebody proves they’re better.
“Just one of the important factors that they’ve always had is their depth is so strong and they have such a great financial funding that they can take the chances in the Group Stage, and if they need it, they’ve got six incredible substitutes on the bench,” said former U.S. Olympic captain Brian Dunseth, now an analyst for Fox Soccer Channel in the United States.
“At the end of the day, you look at the strength of their squads, from development, from reserve to first team, they have everything to play for. Especially once they get to the quarters, semis, you start to see that focus change, you start to see the pressure from the press really step up.”
Cruz Azul, a loser in the final to fellow Mexican sides Atlante in 2009 and Pachuca in May, is back for a third try. Santos, after a one year absence, is back, along with last year’s semifinalist Toluca and newcomer Monterrey.
The Preliminary Round begins Tuesday with four matches, including Santos at San Juan Jabloteh and Cruz Azul at San Francisco.
The two-leg Preliminary Round winners then advance to the six-round Group Stage, which commences August 17 and concludes October 21, whittling the field to the eight knockout-round survivors.
In the two years since Champions League was started, Mexican clubs have won 50 of 89 games with 18 draws.
The closest any team other than a Mexican side has come to the title match was the Puerto Rico Islanders, which lost out on penalties to Cruz Azul in the semifinals in 2009. Other than, no club has gotten past the semifinals.
The Islanders, who have claimed more than their share of upsets in the first two years of the Champions League, have another daunting Preliminary Round challenge. After upsetting Alajuelense of Costa Rica the first year, and Major League Soccer side Toronto FC last season, the reigning Caribbean club champ must get past the Landon Donovan-led Los Angeles Galaxy this time.
It faces off the Galaxy in the first leg of their Preliminary Round series on Tuesday in Los Angeles.
“They have wonderful players all around the park,” Islanders goalkeeper Bill Gaudette said. “It’s going to be a difficult game for us. We have two chances to give them a game, and we’re going to see what happens. We’ll go out to LA and give it our best and they have to come down to Puerto Rico, which not many teams like to do.”
Marathon of Honduras has made it to the quarterfinals both years before being eliminated, first by the Islanders in 2009 and then Pumas this past season. But it will have to compensate for the loss of last year’s club scoring leader Walter Martinez, who has returned to Beijing Guoan in China.
Unlike their Mexican counterparts, American teams from MLS have struggled. Of the eight teams that have played, only two have reached the quarterfinals: Houston in 2009, and Columbus this past season.
Two years ago, neither MLS team that played in the Preliminary Round were able to get to the Group Stage, and last year, the New York Red Bulls were unceremoniously eliminated by Trinidad’s W Connection.
Dunseth, who played with seven different teams in MLS and in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, believes at some point the U.S. teams’ resolve will stiffen.
“How many times do you get tired of having your head handed to you?” he asked rhetorically. “How many times do you get tired of playing against a team, knowing it’s not their first team, and losing? How many times do you get tired of watching (USSF D2) them do pretty well, or compete at a similar level, or end up with the same number of points you have in the group stage, at what point does it start really angering you? At what point does it become a pride issue?”
This may be MLS’ best chance to make a dent in the Champions League with the Los Angeles Galaxy, Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake holding the three best records entering the continental championship. Only Seattle has a losing record, and even Toronto, who qualified as Canada’s champion, has lost only one of its previous 13 matches heading into its game Saturday against Dallas.
MLS, the USSF D2 league and Trinidad & Tobago are already in the middle of their seasons, while Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico begin their Apertura championships this weekend, and El Salvador, Panama and Honduras not for at least another week.
It may give the teams in middle-of-season form and advantage, but the length and nature of the competition still will come down to a simple formula.
“For teams outside of Mexico,” Dunseth says, “if you can win your home games, and you can pick up a couple of draws on the road you’re going to qualify for the quarterfinals.”
By Brian Trusdell
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United States, Mexico advance in Women’s U-20s
July 22, 2010
Sidney Leroux scored for a third straight game to lead the United States over South Korea and a late equalizer earned Mexico a 1-1 draw with Nigeria on Wednesday, sending both CONCACAF teams to the quarterfinals of the Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
Leroux converted in the 21st minute for her fifth of the tournament, one behind tournament leader Alexandra Popp of Germany, and goalkeeper Bianca Henninger made two critical saves to lift the United States to a 1-0 victory.
It gave the United States seven points and finished it atop Group D, one point ahead of South Korea. It will face Nigeria in Sunday’s quarterfinals.
In Bochum, Alina Garciamendez scored in the 77th-minute for Mexico, sending it through the final eight as the winner of Group C over Nigeria on goals scored. It’s the first time in four appearances that Las Aztecas have advanced past the first round. It will play South Korea in the quarterfinals on Sunday.
South Korea had an equal amount of possession, but the Americans created far more chances, converting an early one on a drive out of midfield by Amber Brooks.
Brooks sent a ball behind the Korean defense and Leroux split the center backs. Her touch appeared to get away from her, but she chased the ball into the area, sliding to get it near the penalty spot just before charging goalkeeper Moon So-ri, and rolling it inside the left post.
Henninger pushed Kang Yumi’s shot from 15 meters over the bar in the 37th and then thwarted Ji So-yun in the 62nd when she closed unmarked after a miscue by defender Crystal Dunn to preserve the victory.
The two-time and defending champion United States has never finished worse than fourth in the four previous Women’s Unnder-20 World Cups.
Mexico had to rally after Ebere Orji gave Nigeria the lead in the 16th minute. Mexican keeper Cecilia Santiago pushed away Amarachi Okoronkwo’s shot for a corner, but Orji converted on the ensuing set piece.
Garciamendez equalized when she controlled Natalia Garcia’s header from a corner, chesting the ball down and volleying with a right foot from close range.
BIELEFELD, Germany
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Islanders want to build on ‘Giant Killer’ rep
July 22, 2010
The team doesn’t quite have the same cachet as Mexican squads like Cruz Azul, Atlante or Pumas UNAM or even American squads like the Los Angeles Galaxy or the Columbus Crew.
But the Puerto Rico Islanders have quietly been one of the region’s most consistent teams, arguably CONCACAF’s best kept secret.
Under the direction of Northern Irish head coach Colin Clarke, the Islanders have qualified for all three years of the CONCACAF Champions League, one of just seven teams able to make that boast.
“It’s an honor to be able to represent the Caribbean and our league,” goalkeeper Bill Gaudette said. “To be able to participate in each of the three years is an honor. It’s not a gift or a free invitation. You have to qualify every year and fortunately for us we’ve put some success together to be able to represent our region the last couple of years.”
This year, the Islanders earned their place ticket by winning their first Caribbean club championship in May. Gaudette is hoping it is the first of three titles his team competes for this year. It’s a big reason he re-signed with Puerto Rico after fielding offers from Major League Soccer clubs.
“I felt like some of the success we’ve had down here in Puerto Rico we could really build on,” he said. “So far we’ve been rewarded with the Caribbean championship, but obviously we have a lot more work to do. We want to go out there and win the [USSF Division-2 Pro League] and obviously Champions League would be a huge step.”
Puerto Rico shocked the region in the 2008-09 competition, advancing to the Champions League semifinals before losing to Cruz Azul on penalties. Last year, the Islanders defeated Canadian champion Toronto FC to return to the Group Stage.
The Islanders would love to add to their reputation as giant killers, but this year could be its biggest challenge yet. Puerto Rico, which has struggled in league play, will face MLS leader Los Angeles in the Preliminary Round beginning July 27 at the Home Depot Center. The second leg is at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon on August 3.
The goalkeeper will be tasked with trying to stop U.S. World Cup hero Landon Donovan and league scoring leader Edson Buddle, both of whom have resumed their form since returning from South Africa.
“The leagues in the U.S. have equaled out a bit the last couple of years in terms of quality of play so we’re excited to have the opportunity to go and play one of the best clubs in MLS right now,” Gaudette said.
“They have wonderful players all around the park. It’s going to be a difficult game for us. We have two chances to give them a game, and we’re going to see what happens. We’ll go out to LA and give it our best and they have to come down to Puerto Rico, which not many teams like to do.”
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Rose Bowl to host 2011 Gold Cup final
July 22, 2010
The 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup final will be played at the Rose Bowl on June 25, returning the title game of the continental championship to the 90,000-seat stadium for the tournament’s 20th anniversary.
It will be the third time the Gold Cup, which will start June 5, has been played at the site of the 1994 World Cup final, the first since 2002 and the second time the final has been staged in Pasadena, California.
“We are very excited to return to the Rose Bowl to crown our region’s champion. The Gold Cup has grown dramatically over the past 20 years and the Rose Bowl remains a fantastic venue to celebrate our final,” CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said.
The Rose Bowl hosted 10 matches in 2002 – including the title game. Wednesday’s announcement returns the final to the West Coast of the United States after it was played at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca in 2003, Giants Stadium near New York in 2005 and 2009, and Chicago’s Soldier Field in 2007.
Mexico won last year’s final over the United States before a crowd of nearly 80,000 at Giants Stadium. The 2011 winner will qualify as CONCACAF’s representative to the 2013 Confederations Cup.
“The Rose Bowl is thrilled to be hosting the final of the Gold Cup on its 20th anniversary,” said Rose Bowl General Manager, Daryl Dunn. “We recognize the importance of the tournament, and believe this event will add to the great history of soccer in our venue, as we are the only facility in the world to have hosted the finals of the World Cup (1994), Women’s World Cup (1999) and men’s Olympics (1984).”
The remainder of the schedule is due to be released in early 2011.
| Year | Champion | Final Venue |
| 1991 | United States | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
| 1993 | Mexico | Estadio Azteca (Mexico City) |
| 1996 | Mexico | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
| 1998 | Mexico | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
| 2000 | Canada | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum |
| 2002 | United States | Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California) |
| 2003 | Mexico | Estadio Azteca (Mexico City) |
| 2005 | United States | Giants Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ) |
| 2007 | United States | Soldier Field (Chicago) |
| 2009 | Mexico | Giants Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
|
NEW YORK
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Caribbean to open U-17 qualifying
July 21, 2010
A pair of doubleheaders in both Dominica and Suriname was to highlight the opening of Caribbean qualifying for the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship on Tuesday.
Guyana was open play against the Netherlands Antilles in Roseau, Dominica, in Group C, which also features Dominica vs. Aruba in the nightcap. The group also will play matches Thursday and Saturday.
Suriname was to host St. Vincent and the Grenadines in Paramaribo in Group D after Barbados played Grenada. Group D also is set to play matches Thursday and Saturday.
Group B, including Saint-Martin, Anguilla, St. Kitts & Nevis and host Antigua & Barbuda will start Wednesday, with Group A, a two-game series, set to be played between the Bahamas and Bermuda in Nassau on Friday and Sunday.
The group winners will advance to a second group phase along with Cuba, Haiti and group hosts Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica beginning August 18.
The top two finishers in each group along with the best third-place side will qualify for next year’s 12-team CONCACAF Under-17 Championship.
CONCACAF Under-17 Championship
Caribbean Qualifying
First Round
Group A
At Nassau, Bahamas
Friday, July 23
Bahamas vs. Bermuda
Sunday, July 25
Bahamas vs. Bermuda
Group B
At St. John’s, Antigua
Wednesday, July 21
Saint-Martin vs. Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda vs. St. Kitts & Nevis
Friday, July 23
St. Kitts & Nevis vs. Saint-Martin
Antigua & Barbuda vs. Anguilla
Sunday, July 25
Anguilla vs. St. Kitts & Nevis
Antigua & Barbuda vs. Saint-Martin
Group C
At Roseau, Dominica
Tuesday, July 20
Guyana vs. Netherlands Antilles
Dominica vs. Aruba
Thursday, July 22
Netherlands Antilles vs. Aruba
Dominica vs. Guyana
Saturday, July 24
Aruba vs. Guyana
Dominica vs. Netherlands Antilles
Group D
At Paramaribo, Suriname
Tuesday, July 20
Barbados vs. Grenada
Suriname vs. St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Thursday, July 22
St. Vincent & the Grenadines vs. Barbados
Suriname vs. Grenada
Saturday, July 24
Grenada vs. St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Suriname vs. Barbados
Second Round
Group E
At Macoya, Trinidad
Wednesday, August 18
Group A winner vs. Group B winner
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Cuba
Friday, August 20
Cuba vs. Group A winner
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Group B winner
Sunday, August 22
Group B winner vs. Cuba
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Group A winner
Group F
At Kingston, Jamaica
Wednesday, August 18
Haiti vs. Group D winner
Jamaica vs. Group C winner
Friday, August 20
Group C winner vs. Haiti
Jamaica vs. Group D winner
Sunday, August 22
Group D winner vs. Group C winner
Jamaica vs. Haiti
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad
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Costa Rica ends Women’s U-20s with third loss
July 21, 2010
Costa Rica surrendered a pair of first-half goals and lost 3-0 to Colombia on Tuesday, sending “Las Ticas” home from the Under-20 Women’s World Cup with their third straight defeat.
Playing in their first World Cup, Costa Rica was outscored 9-2 in its three group matches and finished last in Group A behind host Germany, Colombia and France.
Daniela Montoya scored in the 24th and 40th minutes, and Yorely Rincon added a penalty in the third minute of second-half injury time to send the Colombians into the quarterfinals.
Costa Rica was forced into an early substitution when defender Hazel Quiros had to be replaced by Maria Moreira, removed from the field on a stretcher in the 17th minute with a bloodied face from an aerial collision.
The Ticas already were assured of elimination before kickoff and were pressed from the outset Colombia.
Costa Rica is the first of three CONCACAF teams to be eliminated from the competition. The defending champion United States and Mexico were to play Wednesday, both in position to reach the quarterfinals.
DRESDEN, Germany
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Salt Lake hoping to close respect gap
July 21, 2010
Eight months ago, Real Salt Lake won the MLS Cup and celebrated the greatest moment in the club’s short history.
Yet, fullback Chris Wingert said RSL is still searching for respect domestically.
“I think we still have a little something to prove,” he said. “Even though we were extremely happy and satisfied with winning the championship last year, we know some people thought we were a little lucky and we were fortunate we hit our peak at the right time.”
Sure, Real Salt Lake has struggled during the regular season – it was the last of eight teams to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs last year – but the team has surged as the games dwindled and was one of the last four clubs standing in each of the last two seasons.
This year has been different. After losing three of its first five, RSL won five straight, and has lost only once since April 24, to claim the third-best record in the league at the season’s midpoint.
“We’re proving now that we deserved to win that championship and we’re showing that we really do have a good squad and we’re continuing to play well,” Wingert said.
Real Salt Lake’s success is based on confidence, especially on the road this year where RSL has won three of eight and lost four.
“I like our mentality so far this year on the road, which has been to try to get after it a bit,” Wingert said. “We think we’re most successful when we’re possessing the ball and creating chances and that’s kind of our best defense. Hopefully we’ll be able to accomplish that for relatively large stretches, even when we are on the road, in the league and in the (CONCACAF) Champions League.”
Another strength, Wingert said, is the team’s depth, which has been tested by injuries in the first half of the MLS season. Captain Kyle Beckerman has been sidelined with a foot injury; Jamaican international
Andy Williams has dealt with a strained hamstring; and even Wingert has missed time with a strained hamstring.
Others have stepped up, including Costa Rican international Alvario Saborio, who has seven goals in 15 appearances after spending last year at Bristol City in the English second division, while Jamison Olave and Javier Morales were both selected for the MLS All-Star Game against Manchester United.
A deep roster is also critical to success in the Champions League. Real Salt Lake is in Group A with Panama’s Arabe Unido and the winners of Preliminary Round series between Mexico’s Cruz Azul and Panama’s San Francisco, as well as Motagua from Honduras and Canada’s Toronto FC. A year ago, only the Columbus Crew from the United States advanced out of the Group Stage. RSL is hoping that changes this year.
“I do think one of the major keys to a competition like this is definitely having some depth, especially because we’re in the heart of our [regular] season when we’re starting off,” Wingert said. “There’s going to most likely be some injuries you have to deal with. The deeper you have the more chance you have at being successful in the competition.”
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