CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP: Quakes and Revs are eliminated despite second-leg wins

• by Soccer America , Mar 27, 2003

The San Jose Earthquakes and New England Revolution both won the second legs of their CONCACAF Champions Cup first-round series Wednesday night but were eliminated on aggregate.

San Jose beat Municipal of Guatemala, 2-1, at Spartan Stadium but was eliminated, 5-4, on aggregate. Landon Donovan and Brian Ching scored on Brian Mullan assists in the first half to give the Quakes a 2-0 lead and make up the huge hole they dug for themselves when they fell behind, 4-0, in the second half of the first leg. But Guatemalan international Juan Carlos Plata's late goal on a quick counter gave Municipal the series victory.

The Revs almost pulled off a miracle comeback in Costa Rica, where they led 2002 Central American club champion Alajuela, 3-0, early in the second half to close within one goal. But red cards to Shalrie Joseph (deliberate handball) and Daniel Hernandez (dissent) in the 63rd minute reduced the Revs to nine men and killed the rally. Two minutes later, a goal by Costa Rican national team star Rolando Fonseca gave the Ticos the cushion they needed. Despite losing, 3-1, Alajuela went through, 5-3, on aggregate.

The red cards gave MLS teams seven in five games on Central America soil.

Los Angeles and Columbus are the only MLS teams left in the Champions Cup.

Mexican teams are three-for-three so far.

Adolfo Bautista's hat trick in 10 minutes late in the second half gave Morelia a 4-0 win over Comunicaciones Wednesday and avanged a 1-0 loss in Guatemala City. Club America came from two goals behind after the first leg to beat FAS of El Salvador, 3-0, in Dallas and advance, 4-3, on total goals. Adelino Batista's goal in the 67th minute of the second leg was the only goal of the two-game series and gave Necaxa a 1-0 win over Arnett Gardens of Jamaica.

Toluca, Mexico's fourth entrant, takes a 3-2 lead over W Connection into their second leg April 2 in Trinidad & Tobago.