Toronto to open Canadian defense on April 28

February 6, 2010

Toronto FC will begin defense of its Nutrilite Canadian Championship on April 28, hosting the Montreal Impact as it attempts to return to the CONCACAF Champions League.

Thursday’s release of the 2010 tournament schedule comes nearly a month after the U.S. Soccer Federation sanctioned a merged league between the United Soccer Leagues and the offshoot North American Soccer League, which cleared the way for the competition to go forward.

With the Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact breaking away from the second-division USL to join the NASL, neither league was in position to gain the USSF’s sanction.

Canadian Soccer Association General Secretary Peter Montopoli, however, was confident the third edition of the championship would go forward.

“The future of this competition was solid,” he said. “Certainly we had the right to play this competition no matter what the resolution would be, so this competition was moving forward. So in our mind it was really not in doubt.”

The three-team, six-game tournament will finish on June 2 with Toronto hosting Vancouver. The winner qualifies for the Preliminary Round of the Champions League, set to begin the final week of July.

“I’ve been in North America for over 20 years and been part of a U.S. (Open) Cup and in the U.S. Cup there’s not really much passion and just being here and hearing about the Canadian Cup there seems to be a lot on the line,” newly hired Toronto coach Preki said. “People are excited to watch the games and support the teams.”

This will be Vancouver’s final year to compete as a team from a second-division league. The club is set to join Toronto in Major League Soccer in 2011.

This year’s schedule has all the games played on six consecutive Wednesdays, a move intended to improve television audiences.

Montreal won the inaugural tournament, parlaying that success into a surprising run to the Champions League quarterfinals. Last year, Toronto FC captured the title, but was eliminated from the Champions League by the USL’s Puerto Rico Islanders in the Preliminary Round.

2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship
Wednesday, April 28
Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact
Wednesday, May 5
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Montreal Impact
Wednesday, May 12
Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC
Wednesday, May 19
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Toronto FC
Wednesday, May 26
Montreal Impact vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Wednesday, June 2
Toronto FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC

TORONTO -

By Vijay Setlur

Tags: american soccer, canadian soccer association, champions league quarterfinals, concacaf champions league, game tournament, general secretary, inaugural tournament, Major League Soccer, Montreal, montreal impact, nasl, North American, north american soccer league, offshoot, Peter Montopoli, preki, Puerto Rico, secretary peter, soccer federation, television audiences, Toronto, toronto fc, U.S, U.S. Cup, U.S. Soccer, united soccer leagues, Vancouver, vancouver whitecaps, Vijay Setlur, Whitecaps

Canada removes interim tag from Hart’s title

December 11, 2009

Stephen Hart had the interim tag removed from his title as manager of the Canadian national team on Monday, given the job full time in the country’s bid to return to the World Cup for the first time since 1986.

General Secretary Peter Montopoli made the announcement at a news conference in downtown Toronto, formalizing the position the Trinidad & Tobago native was given in April.

“My role will be, No. 1, to assemble a staff and, No. 2, to present a team that is not only competitive, but understands what is required from all levels and to make the players understand that they are the ones that are responsible for putting Canada on the map,” Hart said.

“It will be our objective to focus on the CONCACAF qualifications for 2012. I have no qualms about experimenting, about using the CONCACAF Gold Cup competition to prepare towards this.”

Hart, 45, already has had success since retaking the helm, leading Canada to the quarterfinals of Gold Cup in July before losing to eventual World Cup qualifier Honduras. This is Hart’s second time as manager, having led Canada to a semifinal berth in the 2007 Gold Cup before losing to the eventual champion United States.

“The matter with which he handled the team at the CONCACAF tournaments, Gold Cup 2007 and 2009, strongly positioned him for this leadership role,” Montopoli said.

“His strong technical knowledge and the respect he has within the Canadian soccer community and the style of play and knowledge of CONCACAF, which really at the end of the day is the qualifier for the World Cup…and I don’t think there’s no better person who has the familiarity with CONCACAF and leading our Canadian national team.”

Hart already has won four of his eight games in charge since April, losing three and drawing one. Canada won Group A at the Gold Cup and Hart has was won nine, drawn two and lost seven in his two stints as manager, the best winning percentage in CSA history.

Hart replaced Dale Mitchell, who was fired in March after Canada was eliminated from World Cup qualifying in the semifinal round.

With the appointment, Hart relinquishes his role as the CSA’s technical director, which he held since March 2008. Montopoli said the CSA will name a replacement early next year.

Besides approving Hart’s elevation at its weekend meeting, the CSA’s board set its 2010 budget, approved a new governance framework in principle and committed both men’s and women’s national teams to playing multiple home games in the same season for the first time in 11 years.

TORONTO

By Vijay Setlur

Tags: better person, Canada, canadian soccer, cup competition, dale mitchell, downtown toronto, eight games, familiarity, Honduras, leadership role, Peter Montopoli, qualms, quarterfinals, secretary peter, semifinal berth, soccer community, stephen hart, stints, technical knowledge, Tobago, Toronto, Trinidad, United States, Vijay Setlur, world cup qualifier

Toronto´s ´Little Portugal´ hit by Ronaldo fever

August 8, 2009

Canadian football fans, Portuguese expats and a battalion of screaming, star-struck girls swooned at the sight of Cristiano Ronaldo, the world’s most expensive footballer, here on Friday.

Ronaldo’s Real Madrid, one of the most famous clubs in the world, were in town to play a friendly against Toronto FC who were formed just three years ago.

“Never before has the Portuguese community in Toronto been able to savour the pleasure of having the best team in the world and Cristiano Ronaldo, the best player in the world, who is Portuguese,” said Alex Franco, editor of Portuguese-Canadian newspaper, The New Millennium.

Ronaldo, 24, was the target for a host of autograph hunters, as well as young girls eager to be captured on a photograph with the high-profile star.

“I saw a lot of young ladies photographing Ronaldo last night at the practice, and they weren’t there for soccer”, noted Dick Howard, veteran Toronto soccer broadcaster and analyst.

Tickets for the one hour practice, Howard added, were snapped up at 15 dollars and “there were lots of Portuguese jerseys there”.

Those who couldn’t make Friday’s game (Howard said that tickets were exchanging hands for thousands of dollars) were expected to be at the many bars and restaurants in the Portuguese neighborhoods in downtown Toronto.

“Soccer brings out our national pride – it really brings the community together,” said local fan Ricardo Viveiros. “We are very proud that Ronaldo is the best.”

And the Toronto team?

“It’s a David and Goliath situation”, warned Howard.

Other fans, however, were more optimistic.

“Don’t forget that Real are just starting their season, while Toronto FC are in mid-season,” explained Franco.

“Real are going to rotate a lot – we might see Ronaldo play for only a half hour. Toronto could lose by one goal or even draw the game.”

TORONTO (AFP)

Tags: afp toronto, Alex Franco, autograph hunters, best player, canadian football, cristiano ronaldo, David, david and goliath, dick howard, downtown toronto, football fans, footballer, Franco, MADRID, mid season, national pride, new millennium, portugal, portuguese community, real madrid, Ricardo Viveiros, ronaldo, screaming star, target, Toronto, toronto fc, toronto team

Puerto Rico returns to Group Stage of Champions League

August 5, 2009

BAYAMON, Puerto Rico – The Puerto Rico Islanders returned to the Group Stage of the CONCACAF Champions League, holding Toronto FC to a 0-0 draw Tuesday and advancing on aggregate.

The Islanders, who reached the semifinals of the inaugural Champions League before being subdued by Cruz Azul, won the first leg of the Preliminary Round series 1-0 a week ago in Toronto.

The Islanders will join Group C where it will face either Cruz Azul again or Herediano of Costa Rica, as well as another team from Major League Soccer, the MLS Cup winners Columbus Crew, and Saprissa of Costa Rica. Cruz Azul won the first leg of its Preliminary Round series against Herediano 6-2.

While the first half was relatively even, Toronto had most of the possession in the final 45 minutes but rarely looked threatening. Chris Cummins’ insertion of Chad Barret for Sam Cronin in the 57th and Danny Dichio for Amado Guevarain the 73rd produced only a one close chance.

Dichio was able to get a ball at his feet in the middle of the area in the 77th, turned and launched a right-footed shot from just outside the six-yard box that banged off the right post.

Toronto’s best chance prior came in the 53rd when Islanders goalkeeper Bill Gaudette had to leap to tip Guevara’s shot from just outside the area just over the bar.

Puerto Rico had the best chance early when Nicholas Addlery hit the right post of Toronto with a right-footed shot from just outside the arc in the 13th minute. It finished with only 10 men after second-half substitute Kendall Jagdeosingh was ejected in the 88th minute.

The Islanders, who play in the United Soccer Leagues First Division, the second tier of North American soccer, was without manager Colin Clarke for a second match due to his ejection from the Caribbean Club Champions Cup final in May.

The result was Puerto Rico’s fifth 0-0 draw in their last eight matches. It will open the Group Stage on the Columbus Crew on August 18 in Crew Stadium.

The failure of Toronto to advance continues a string of futility of MLS teams to get out of the Preliminary Round. Both the New England Revolution and Chivas USA were eliminated last year. D.C. United was beaten by Firpo at home in the first leg of its series and the New York Red Bulls were held to a 2-2 draw in Trinidad by W Connection last week.

Go to Source

Tags: Amado Guevarain, american soccer, bayamon puerto rico, Bill Gaudette, caribbean club, Chad, champions cup, chris cummins, club champions, colin clarke, columbus crew, concacaf champions league, Costa Rica, crew stadium, cruz azul, D.C., Danny Dichio, gaudette, group stage, Major League Soccer, mls cup, New England, New York, nicholas addlery, North American, Puerto Rico, puerto rico islanders, Sam, saprissa, Toronto, Trinidad, united soccer leagues, USA, W. Connection

Puerto Rico wins in Toronto 1-0

July 30, 2009

TORONTO – Kendall Jagdeosingh scored in the 67th minute and the Puerto Rico Islanders beat host Toronto FC 1-0 Wednesday night, making a claim to return to the Group Stage of the CONCACAF Champions League.

Puerto Rico, which eliminated Alajuelense last year in the Preliminary Round, advanced all the way to the semifinals of the Champions League before being ousted by Cruz Azul.

Jagdeosingh tracked down a ball near the right side of the goal, turned 270 degrees and drove a left-footed shot into the far-side netting. It sends the Islanders to Bayamon for the second leg on August 4 needing only a draw to reach the Group Stage.

Toronto needed a 6-1 victory in the final match of the Canadian Championship over the Montreal Impact, a quarterfinalist last year in the Champions League, to qualify.

Go to Source

Tags: Azul, concacaf champions league, cruz azul, far side, final match, group stage, Jagdeosingh, kendall, leg, Montreal, montreal impact, Puerto Rico, puerto rico islanders, stage toronto, Toronto, toronto 1, toronto fc, victory, wednesday night

Firpo accepts invitation, replaces Chalatenango in CONCACAF Champions League

July 16, 2009

NEW YORK – CD Luis Angel Firpo has accepted CONCACAF’s invitation to replace Chalatenango in the Champions League and will open against D.C. United in Washington on July 28.

The Salvadoran club will play the second leg of the Preliminary Round series at home on August 4, with the winner on aggregate advancing to Group B of the league phase of the competition.

Either D.C. United or Firpo will face Toluca of Mexico, Marathon of Honduras and either San Juan Jabloteh of Trinidad or Panama’s San Francisco FC in the Group Stage that begins the week of August 18.

Firpo was offered Chalatenango’s berth when the latter failed to meet tournament requirements by not returning a signed participation agreement.

PRELIMINARY ROUND SCHEDULE
Times local (USA Eastern in parentheses); home teams listed first

FIRST LEG
Tuesday, July 28
D.C. United (USA) vs. Firpo (SLV), 8 p.m. (8 p.m.)
Pachuca (MEX) vs. Jalapa (GUA), 9 p.m. (10 p.m.)

Wednesday, July 29
Toronto FC (CAN) vs. Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR), 8 p.m. (8 p.m.)
San Francisco (PAN) vs. San Juan Jabloteh (TRI), 7 p.m. (8 p.m.)
Liberia (CRC) vs. Real Espana (HON), 8 p.m. (10 p.m.)

Thursday, July 30
W Connection (TRI) vs. New York Red Bulls (USA), 8 p.m. (8 p.m.)
Herediano (CRC) vs. Cruz Azul (MEX), 8 p.m. (10 p.m.)
Olimpia (HON) vs. Arabe Unido (PAN), 8 p.m. (10 p.m.)

SECOND LEG
Tuesday, August 4
Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR) vs. Toronto 8 p.m. (CAN), (8 p.m.)
Jalapa (GUA) vs. Pachuca (MEX), 8 p.m. (10 p.m.)
Firpo (SLV) vs. D.C. United (USA), 8 p.m. (10 p.m.)

Wednesday, August 5
New York Red Bulls (USA) vs. W Connection (TRI), 8 p.m. (8 p.m.)
Cruz Azul (MEX) vs. Herdiano (CRC), 7 p.m. (8 p.m.)

Thursday, August 6
Arabe Unido (PAN) vs. Olimpia (HON), 7 p.m. (8 p.m.)
San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) vs. San Francisco (PAN), 8 p.m. (8 p.m.)
Real Espana (HON) vs. Liberia (CRC), 8 p.m. (10 p.m

Go to Source

Tags: arabe unido, august 4, concacaf champions, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, crc, cruz azul, d c united, D.C., francisco pan, group stage, gua, herediano, Honduras, league phase, Liberia, luis angel firpo, m cruz, Mexico, New York, new york red bulls, olimpia, Panama, participation agreement, Puerto Rico, puerto rico islanders, San Francisco, san juan, san juan jabloteh, slv, Toronto, toronto fc, Tri, Trinidad, W. Connection, Washington

Definitive schedule for Preliminary Round of Champions League set

June 24, 2009

NEW YORK – With the qualification of the last of the 24 teams in the CONCACAF Champions League, the definitive schedule for the Preliminary Round has been determined.

The first of 78 games in the 2009-2010 Champions League will start with D.C. United at home against Chalatenango of El Salvador on Tuesday, July 28. The Preliminary Round will finish with the second leg between Real Espana of Honduras at home against Liberia of Costa Rica on Thursday, August 6.

With Toronto FC’s 6-1 victory over the Montreal Impact on Thursday in the final game of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, the Major League Soccer side claimed its first berth in the Champions League and will open at home against the Puerto Rico Islanders on Wednesday, July 29. Puerto Rico will host the second leg on Tuesday, August. 4.

The eight winners of the Preliminary Round will advance to the Group Stage, which will begin the week of August 18-20.

PRELIMINARY ROUND SCHEDULE
Times local (USA Eastern in parentheses); home teams listed first

FIRST LEG
Tuesday, July 28
D.C. United (USA) vs. Chalatenango (SLV), 8 p.m. (8 p.m.)
Pachuca (MEX) vs. Jalapa (GUA), 9 p.m. (10 p.m.)

Thursday, July 30
W Connection (TRI) vs. New York Red Bulls (USA), 8 p.m. (8 p.m.)
Herediano (CRC) vs. Cruz Azul (MEX), 8 p.m. (10 p.m.)
Olimpia (HON) vs. Arabe Unido (PAN), 8 p.m. (10 p.m.)

SECOND LEG
Tuesday, August 4
Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR) vs. Toronto 8 p.m. (CAN), (8 p.m.)
Jalapa (GUA) vs. Pachuca (MEX), 8 p.m. (10 p.m.)
Chalatenango (SLV) vs. D.C. United (USA), 8 p.m. (10 p.m.)

Wednesday, August 5
New York Red Bulls (USA) vs. W Connection (TRI), 8 p.m. (8 p.m.)
Cruz Azul (MEX) vs. Herdiano (CRC), 7 p.m. (8 p.m.)

Thursday, August 6
Arabe Unido (PAN) vs. Olimpia (HON), 7 p.m. (8 p.m.)
San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) vs. San Francisco (PAN), 8 p.m. (8 p.m.)
Real Espana (HON) vs. Liberia (CRC), 8 p.m. (10 p.m.)

Go to Source

Tags: arabe unido, august 4, chalatenango, concacaf champions league, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, Costa Rica, cruz azul, d c united, D.C., El Salvador, final game, francisco pan, group stage, gua, herediano, Honduras, Liberia, m cruz, Major League Soccer, Montreal, montreal impact, New York, new york red bulls, olimpia, Puerto Rico, puerto rico islanders, San Francisco, san juan, san juan jabloteh, slv, Toronto, toronto fc, Tri, USA, W. Connection

De Rosario scores three, Toronto beats Montreal 6-1 to clinch Champions League berth

June 19, 2009

MONTREAL – Dwayne De Rosario scored three goals and Toronto FC defeated the Montreal Impact 6-1 on Thursday to win the Nutlite Canadian Championship and a berth in next year’s CONCACAF Champions League.

Toronto, which had only won one game by four goals in its history, needed a four-goal victory at Montreal or hand the title to the second-division Vancouver Whitecaps and miss out on the Champions League for a second straight year.

Second-half substitute Chad Barrett headed home an Amado Guevara corner kick in the 82nd minute to put Toronto ahead 5-1 and score the decisive goal that gave Major League Soccer a fifth and the final entrant in the 24-team Champions League.

De Rosario’s three goals came in a 20-minute span and Honduran international Amado Guevara added a pair to edge the Whitecaps on goal difference for the title

“We showed tonight we’ve got something special building at the club,” interim Toronto coach Chris Cummins said. “We’re not going to rest on it, we’re really going to kick off from this.

“I thought we thoroughly deserved it on the night . . . people say we can’t take our chances. Tonight we’ve taken our chances.”

The Impact, last year’s Canadian representative and semifinalists in last season’s Champions League, opened the scoring in the 24th minute after striker Peter Byers was fouled by Toronto defender Nick Garcia setting up a penalty kick.

Tony Donatelli converted the spot kick with a calm right-footed stroke past Toronto goalkeeper Stefan Frei.

“When they scored I looked around to every guy and not one of them had their head down,” De Rosario said.

A steady rain and slippery conditions were less than ideal, creating loose footing and uneven bounces throughout the match.

De Rosario started Toronto’s push with a dramatic bicycle kick in the 29th. Montreal goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic punched away a Guevara corner kick, but De Rosario, with his back to goal, pounced on the rebound with a lunging scissors kick to the delight of their hundreds of traveling supporters who had made the six- hour drive from southern Ontario.

De Rosario next converted a Pablo Vitti cross at the top of the penalty area in the 39th, with his hard shot first deflecting off Montreal defender Elkana Mayard, then off the Montreal goal post and into the net giving Toronto a 2-1 lead.

Three minutes into the second half, De Rosario collected a through ball, raced into the penalty area and slotted the ball past Djekanovic at point-blank range.

In the 67th, Guevara closed the gap further, bending a free kick from just outside the penalty area over the wall and past Djekanovic to incease the lead to 4-1.

Barrett, who entered the game to start the second half in place of Vitti, then scored the title clincher and set up an insurance tally by Guevara in the 90th.

Barrett back-healed a cross into the path of Guevara, who volley the ball to complete the victory.

It was the second major unraveling for the Impact who also fell apart in injury time during the second leg of their Champions League semifinal loss to Santos Laguna in March

“When that happens twice, it’s because there’s a problem, there’s a big lack of character on our part . . . you have to honour the city and club and tonight these players didn’t,” said Impact coach Marc Dos Santos.

Toronto will host the Puerto Rico Islanders of the United Soccer Leagues First Division the Preliminary Round of the Champions League, on Tuesday, July 28 and then head to Bayamon, Puerto Rico on Tuesday, August 4 for the second leg.

The Impact were missing four starting defenders from their lineup with Adam Braz and Cedric Joqueviel ruled out of the match due to injury while centre-back Nevio Pizzolitto was given the night off by coach Marc Desantis and defender Zanzan was on international duty with Togo’s national team for a World Cup qualifier against Morocco.

Go to Source

Tags: Adam Braz, amado guevara, bicycle kick, canadian representative, Cedric Joqueviel, Chad, chris cummins, coach chris, concacaf champions league, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, corner kick, decisive goal, dwayne de rosario, goal victory, Major League Soccer, Marc Desantis, Marc Dos, minute span, Montreal, montreal impact, morocco, nick garcia, Pablo Vitti, Peter Byers, pounced, Puerto Rico, Santos, slippery conditions, southern Ontario, srdjan, Srdjan Djekanovic, steady rain, Stefan Frei, Togo, Tony Donatelli, Toronto, toronto fc, Vancouver, vancouver whitecaps

D.C. United-Chalatenango to open 2009-2010 CONCACAF Champions League

June 17, 2009

MIAMI – Returnee D.C. United will host El Salvador’s Chalatenango on Tuesday, July 28 to start the 2009-2010 CONCACAF Champions League, one of three Preliminary Round matches scheduled to open the tournament.

The Canadian champion, either the Vancouver Whitecaps or Toronto FC, will host the Puerto Rico Islanders and Guatemala’s Jalapa will be home against Pachuca of Mexico in later games. San Francisco FC of Panama will be home against San Juan Jabloteh of Trinidad on Wednesday, July 29, with Liberia Mia of Costa Rica hosting Honduran side Real Espana later that day.

The schedule was announced at the second annual CONCACAF Champions League Summit at the Intercontinental West Miami hotel, a gathering of all 24 participating teams to acquaint them with the other clubs as well as the tournament’s rules, regulations, requirements and protocols.

The first leg will finish on Thursday, July 30, with W Connection of Trinidad hosting the New York Red Bulls, followed by Cruz Azul of Mexico at home against Costa Rica’s Herediano, and Olimpia of Honduras against Arabe Unido of Panama.

The second leg will begin a week later with the Puerto Rico Islanders at home against either Vancouver or Toronto, and Chalatenango facing D.C. United in El Salvador on Tuesday, August 4.

The following day, the New York Red Bulls will travel to Trinidad to play W Connection; Pachuca will play at Jalapa; and Hereidano will play Cruz Azul in Mexico City.

The Preliminary Round will conclude with Arabe Unido at home against Olimpia of Honduras, San Juan Jabloteh hosting San Francicso, and Real Espana welcoming Liberia. The winners will advance to the Group Stage, which will begin with the first round of games the week of August 18-20.

PRELIMINARY ROUND SCHEDULE
(All Times USA Eastern; home teams listed first)
(Provisional)

FIRST LEG
Tuesday, July 28
D.C. United (USA) vs. Chalatenango (SLV), 8 p.m.
Vancouver Whitecaps or Toronto FC (CAN) vs.
Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR), 10 p.m. Jalapa (GUA) vs. Pachuca (MEX), 10 p.m.

Wednesday, July 29
San Francisco (PAN) vs. San Juan Jabloteh, 8 p.m.
Liberia (CRC) vs. Real Espana (HON), 10 p.m.

Thursday, July 30
W Connection (TRI) vs. New York Red Bulls (USA), 8 p.m.
Cruz Azul (MEX) vs. Herediano (CRC), 10 p.m.
Olimpia (HON) vs. Arabe Unido (PAN), 10 p.m.

SECOND LEG
Tuesday, August 4
Puerto Rico Islanders (PUR) vs. Vancouver or Toronto (CAN), 8 p.m.
Chalatenango (SLV) vs. D.C. United (USA), 10 p.m.

Wednesday, August 5
New York Red Bulls (USA) vs. W Connection (TRI), 8 p.m.
Pachuca (MEX) vs. Jalapa (GUA), 8 p.m.
Herediano (CRC) vs. Cruz Azul (MEX), 10 p.m.

Thursday, August 6
Arabe Unido (PAN) vs. Olimpia (HON), 8 p.m.
San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) vs. San Francisco (PAN), 8 p.m.
Real Espana (HON) vs. Liberia (CRC), 10 p.m.

Go to Source

Tags: canadian champion, chalatenango, concacaf champions league, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, Costa Rica, cruz azul, d c united, D.C., El Salvador, group stage, Guatemala, herediano, Honduras, Intercontinental, jalapa, Liberia, Mexico, mexico city, Miami, miami hotel, New York, new york red bulls, olimpia, pachuca, Panama, Puerto Rico, puerto rico islanders, San, san francicso, San Francisco, san juan, san juan jabloteh, slv, Toronto, toronto fc, Tri, Trinidad, USA, Vancouver, vancouver whitecaps, W. Connection, west miami

Jalapa, San Francisco claim Champions League berths; One berth remains undecided

June 16, 2009

NEW YORK – Guatemala’s Jalapa and San Francisco FC of Panama claimed their berths in next seasons’ CONCACAF Champions League, leaving only one place still open in the 24-team field.

Either the Vancouver Whitecaps or Toronto FC will claim the final spot on Wednesday, when Toronto hosts the Montreal Impact needing a four-goal victory to win the Nutrilite Canadian Championship and a berth in the Champions League.

Jalapa defeated Municipal 3-1 on Sunday to complete a 1-0 aggregate victory and claim the Clausura crown, joining Comunicaciones in the Champions League from Guatemala. Comunicaciones will be seeded directly into the Group Stage, while Jalapa will play Pachuca in the Preliminary Round.

San Francisco FC returned to the Champions League for a second straight year, prevailing over Chorrillo 5-4 on penalty kicks after a 0-0 draw on Saturday to win Panama’s Apertura and claim its berth. It joins Arabe Unido from Panama in the Preliminary Round. San Francisco will play San Juan Jabloteh in the two-leg playoff, while Arabe Unido will face Olimpia of Honduras.

Go to Source