CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP
- by Soccer America , Mar 24, 2003
Alexi Lalas' goal with 12 minutes left gave the Galaxy a 1-0 win over Motagua of Honduras Sunday in Fullerton, Calif., and a 3-2 victory on aggregate. Lalas, who also scored in the first leg, scored off Cobi Jones' cross after a short corner.
The Galaxy meets Mexico's Necaxa in the quarterfinals. Necaxa, the 1999 CONCACAF club champion, beat Arnett Gardens, 1-0, on aggregate.
Edson Buddle, recently called up to the U.S. national team for the first time, scored two goals to lead the Crew to a 3-0 win over Arabe Unido of Panama and win its series, 4-2, on aggregate. Both of Buddle's goals were set up by Brian McBride, making his first appearance with the Crew since returning from English club Everton. Kyle Martino's opportunistic goal sealed the victory.
Columbus faces Comunicaciones of Guatemala or 2002 Champions Cup runner-up Morelia of Mexico in the quarterfinals.
Costa Rica's Alajuela, the 2002 Central American club champion, crushed 2002 MLS runner-up New England, 4-0, in the first leg of their two-game series.
The Revs made it a clean sweep for MLS clubs on the road in Central America. All four conceded penalties and had at least one player sent off. New England gave up two penalties and had Jay Heaps sent off in the 82nd minute.
The second leg will be played Wednesday in Costa Rica. Citing poor field conditions at Gillette Stadium, the Revs gave up their home leg..
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP: First Round, First Leg
March 23 in Alajuela
Alajuela (C.R.) 4 New England (USA) 0. Goals: Scott 15, pen. 82, Fonseca pen. 31, Alpizar 90.
Alajuela -- Mesen, Marin, Chinchilla, Sirias, Castro, Alfaro, Macchi, Lopez, Bryce (C.Hernandez, 73), Scott (Miso, 82), Fonseca (Alpizar, 63).
New England -- Brown, Pierce, Kante, Franchino, Ralston, Cullen, D.Hernandez, Kamler (Noonan, 67), Heaps, Harris (Joseph, 82), Twellman.
Red card: New England -- Heaps 82.
Referee: Carlos Batres (Guatemala).
Att.: n/a.
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP: First Round, Second Leg
March 23 in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus (USA) 3 Arabe Unido (Pan.) 0. Goals: Buddle 42, 59, Martino 70.
Columbus -- Busch, Hejduk, Dunseth, Clark (McCarty, 85), D.Torres, Maisonneuve (Oughton, 73), West (Paule, 25), Garcia, Martino, Buddle, McBride.
Arabe Unido -- Hoyos, Zapata, Lewis, Alvarez, Zagal, M.Torres, Salinas (Villareal, 50), Chiari, Medina, Perez (Barrera, 79), Garces (Anderson, 65).
Referee: Jorge Gasso (Mexico).
Red card: Columbus -- Hejduk 72.
Att.: 6,443.
(Columbus wins 4-2 on aggregate.)
March 23 in Fullerton, Calif.
Los Angeles (USA) 1 Motagua (Hond.) 0. Goal: Lalas 72.
Los Angeles -- Hartman, Marshall, Lalas, Califf, Hendrickson, Hong, Elliott, Pineda Chacon (Cienfuegos, 63), Victorine, Jones, Albright (Glinton, 74).
Motagua -- Valladares, V.Bernardez, Posas, Guerrero, De Oliveira (Nolasco, 78), Mena (Pavon, 87), R.Bernardez, Guevara, Castro (Rodas, 83), Bocco, Martinez.
Referee: Mauricio Navarro (Canada).
Att.: 5,307.
(Los Angeles wins 3-2 on aggregate.)
