CONCACAF Champions Cup roundup

By: Chris | April 6th, 2007

A team from the Mexican League will be headed to Japan in December to take part in the FIFA World Club Cup as both Mexican teams advanced to the finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup this week, albeit without some controversy.

Tuesday - Chivas 2, D.C. United 1 - Chivas wins on aggregate 3-2

It’s hard not to feel bad for Troy Perkins. I certainly do. For all intensive purposes, this tie should have gone to extra time. An early golazo from Jaime Moreno was nullified through Bofo Bautista just a few minutes later, as it was tied 1-1 at halftime.

From there, Gonzalo Piñeda scored early in the 2nd half to give Chivas the victory. It never should have happened, but it did. Perkins either could have done the safe thing and put the ball over the net or just reached his hands up a little higher and knocked the ball down. But as it stands, the Goats march on.

Thursday - Pachuca 5, Houston 2 (after extra time) - Pachuca wins 5-4 on aggregate

Sorry for the two videos, the first only went through the first 90 minutes.

Wow, I’m still at a words for this one. One of the crazier games I’ve seen in recent memory as Pachuca turned around a 2-0 deficit coming into this one.

But like I said before, I saw it coming. Pachuca waxed Veracruz 5-0 this previous weekend, so they were firing on all cylinders. But Houston put in an amazing effort and gave Pachuca (who for my money is the best team in Mexico) all they could handle.

It took a couple of iffy penalties and a great goal at the end of the first period of extra time for Pachuca to move onto the final. Yes, I know that the ref was about to blow for the end of the first extra time when Christian Gimenez scored the winning goal.

I had a problem with the refereeing in this one, as I’m sure every Houston fan around the world did. There’s really not much I can say to defend some of his calls, especially on the 2nd Pachuca penalty.

Nevertheless, an amazing effort for Houston who proved why I’m picking them to repeat as MLS Cup champions this year.

Finals are on April 18 in Guadalajara and April 25 in Pachuca. Winner takes all and goes onto the Club World Cup, the 2nd year in a row that 2 Mexican teams will compete for the CONCACAF Champions Cup title.