Xolos - Cruz Azul: CONCACAF Champions League Semis

Let's go, let's go! Well, actually, there's a bit of time to go yet, because it's still the second half of Toluca - Alajuelense. I lived in Alajuela for six months, so sorry, Toluca, go Alajuelense! Anyway, it's scoreless in that match. 

Prediction for Xolos - Cruz Azul? I say 2-0, Joe Corona and Dario Benedetto score. Put any predictions you have in the comments. 
Alajuela - Jonathan MacDonald, misses a PK in the 65th minute. He fired over the top. Poor. 
And now Toluca makes them pay. 0:1 Da Silva pushed a header in. Everybody on the bench looks miserable. Costa Rican teams hate losing to Mexico, no matter if it happens often. 
We're in injury time now - five minutes worth. 

TIJUANA
LINE-UP
13 Cirilo Saucedo
2 Edgar Eduardo Castillo
3 Javier Gandolfi
4 Hernan Dario Pellerano
22 Juan Carlos Núñez
8 Fernando Arce
15 Joe Corona Crespin
16 Cristian Pellerano
42 Javier Güemez
10 Fidel Martínez
18 Dario Benedetto


CRUZ AZUL
LINE-UP

1 Jose de Jesus Corona
4 Julio Domínguez Juárez
15 Gerardo Flores Zuñiga
55 David Stringel
57 Emmanuel Loeschbor
5 Alejandro Castro
6 Gerardo Torrado
7 Pablo Barrera
11 Joao Rojas
33 Mauro Formica
9 Mariano Pavone



1 - Kickoff! Tijuana are so strong at home, I actually expect a win for the Xolos. 
3 - Announcers discuss how Herrera and Klinsmann will probably both watch this match to evaluate players. 
5 - Tentative feeling out on the part of both teams so far. 
10 - Joe Benny Corona is playing well, though, so I have high hopes for my prediction. 
15 - Corona on the attack, but Jesus Corona, the goalkeeper, deals with it well. 

17 - Now Mariano Pavone on the run, but the ball ends up trickling through to Saucedo.
18 - Jesus Corona came out badly there, failing to secure the ball against Martinez - if Piojo saw that, he wants Ochoa now.
19 - Formica with a shot. Announcers agree game is heating up.
20 - Joao Rojas with a great run, but can't quite beat the last defender in the Xolos box.
25 - Formica is very active for los Cementeros, but so far, without a goal as payoff.
26 - I can't quite pin down who Saucedo reminds me of - Bjorn Borg, maybe?
27 - I don't like these announcers - they meander too much and don't call the game enough. Corona on the attack again, Benedetto misfires, though.
29 - Saucedo gets low to collect a shot with Pavone hovering for the rebound. Nothing doing.
31 - Announcers argue over why Cruz Azul is playing so well - coach or players? Um, both?
33 - Gandolfi and his precisely aligned facial hair limps off.
34 - Rojas, very clever, immediately attacks Gandolfi's side and earns a corner. Saucedo catches the corner kick, though, ending the threat.
35 - Castillo helps the Xolos earn a corner of their own.
36 - The matching suits and ties on the CA bench for the staff looks a little creepy. The announcer wants a red for Gandolfi's tackle just now on Rojas. But the thing is, gimpy Gandolfi did get to the ball first, although his follow upended Rojas.
37 - So a tough call becomes a no-call. Story of the life in soccer.
38 - Announcers philosophize about the tough row a striker must hoe.
39 - Arce with a weak shot that Jesus Corona collects just fine.
40 - Benedetto hits a pass way too far ahead of Castillo in the box, who turns with a look like, "Dude, I don't have wings."
41 - But it's really that gawd-awful turf that makes the ball run like that.
43 - A Cruz Azul gets called back - Formica used a bit too much of his arm to set the ball up for a long-distance shot. A beauty, but no goal.
45 - CA corner, but Saucedo has it.
Ok, I have to say, Cruz Azul looked closer to a goal in the first half than did the Xolos. But if their Galaxy match is anything to go by, they start off slow sometimes. I expect a more lively second half.
46 - And it is already! Cruz Azul charging into the Xolos box, until Saucedo pounces on the ball.
48 - FK for Xolos, but CA kill the attack.
52 - Corona calmly catches a ball that pops up high in the box.
53 - Benedetto crashes on top of Loeschbor as they tussle for a ball on the sidelines - after much writhing, Loeschbor seems fine.
55 - Pellerano lets loose with a shot - Jesus Corona has it, but takes the time to yell at his defenders for not putting foot in the way of that ball.
57 - Joe Corona looks to have slowed down a bit - or gone quiet.
58 - Jesus Corona out a catch a cross before it does damage.
62 - Back and forth, but Xolos getting their fair share of ball possession. Joe leads another attack into the box, but before Benedetto can poke the ball into goal, Jesus Corona scoops it up.
64 - Loeschbor takes down Castillo from behind - yellow and a free kick for Xolos.
65 - Free kick by Arce is too high.
66 - It wasn't even close, Jesus Corona was walking away from it while the ball was still in the air.
70 - Pavone's turn to fire a shot that was off- his was closer, though.
71 - Tena has a sub ready to come in. Joe-benny already left for Xolos - Ruiz is in.
73 - Penal! No? The ref swallowed his whistle on what looked like a clear call for the Xolos in the box.
77 - This game is crying out for a fluke goal and lots of post-game complaints about the ref.
78 - Penalty! This time it's called when Benedetto was merely stepped on his foot slightly. Makeup call.
79 - Benedetto buries it. I'll just say it - Ochoa would have saved that! Maybe.
80 - Ok, so the Xolos are pulling a Galaxy here, but it's doubtful one goal is enough to hold up on the return leg. Of course, if Tijuana prevents a goal, every goal they score in Estadio Azul counts for two (tiebreaker)
83 - Cruz Azul have a freekick and swarm into the Xolos box but fail to shoot on target. I'll just say it - Fabian would have scored that. Maybe.
86 - CA have certainly had chances here. Haven't made good, though.
87 - Herculez! He's into the match now. Subbing in for Benedetto.
88 - I think Cesar Farias just got reprimanded by the ref.
90 - FK for CA - could be a great chance again. It results in a corner. Saudedo catches that.
90+ Saucedo with another save - a shot from distance. Noot too tough, but nervy - since the game is almost over.  He takes his time with the goal kick.
And that's fulltime! My prediction was on for Xolos winning , but it's a rather puny advantage that Tijuana takes into the second leg. I'm not sure how much I'd bet on them keeping it and advancing to the final. 

Cruz Azul - Sporting KC _ CONCACAF Champions League Running Blog

Ok, here we go, folks. I'm missing Jeopardy for this, so it had better be good. 

I have to confess that before I had to go journalistically objective, Cruz Azul was my favorite team in Mexico growing up. I mean, Cle Kooiman! Who wouldn't love that squad? He was a local hero.

 Sporting Kansas City: Kronberg, Ellis, Opara, Besler, Gardner, Rosell, Nagamura, Feilhaber, Zusi, Bieler y Peterson.
Cruz Azul: Corona, Flores, Domínguez, Perea, Nápoles, Torrado, Giménez, Fabián, Formica, Rojas y Pavone.

1 - They kick off! Both teams are in blue, which is a little confusing.
2 - OH, dude! GOAL! Cruz Azul scored - faster than the Xolos against the Galaxy? Close. 1-0 Cruz Azul (1-1)

Xolos - Galaxy CCL Quarterfinal, Running Blog

Tijuana XI: Saucedo; Nunez Castro Gandolfi Garza; H.Pellerano Guemez C.Pellerano Corona; Ayovi Benedetto
LA Galaxy XI: Penedo; DeLaGarza, Gonzalez, Leonardo, Riley; Zardes, Sarvas, Juninho, Donovan; Keane, Samuel

Ok, lineups are in, predictions? I say, 2-2, because I want an exciting game. Probably wishful thinking.

Pre-game quotes here. 

I'd say that this should be a pretty even game, given how the teams looked comparable in StubHub, but the truth is, the Xolos go into beast mode when playing in Estadio Caliente. They really own the place and their home record is no joke. Cesar Farias was almost nonchalant about losing the first game, because he knew the second one would be in TJ.
All that said, the mystique of Estadio Azteca eventually wore off, didn't it? So perhaps the Galaxy will break the spell here.
I'm watching the match on Galavision, so I'm getting the Spanish language perspective on things. Right this second, it means some telenovela is on where the women are crying and this guy with a mustache just grabbed a girl and kissed her. She screams, then her friend runs in and hits him over the head with a vase. And scene. 

Happy Xolos graphics of people running, scoring and falling on that evil turf. Shots of Xolos players getting off the bus. Herc may have said this isn't a rivalry yet, but the announcers are already calling it "Clasico de Baja California" so, well, maybe it is. Highlights are shown of the last match. For me, the best part is watching Robbie Keane's terrible acting job when he tries to pretend he planned that assist to Samuel.  
1 - And they kick off! Xolos lively moving the ball around in the early going, knowing how to handle the ball on that turf - and damn. They score. GOAL! Fittingly, Jaime Ayovi, who started the attack, finishes it. 0-1 Xolos. (1-1) 

Xolos - Galaxy Quote Clash

The second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal is here! Today the Galaxy and Tijuana Xolos face off in Estadio Caliente in TJ to see who moves on. In honor of the occasion, I'm posting here all the quotes from the first game in LA that I haven't already used in articles or posts. 

Tijuana Coach Cesar Faria

On the second leg

I think we can overturn the result in Tijuana.

Overview of game

In the first half, the Galaxy played with more energy, which we expected. We made a mistake that cost us a goal.  In general, the balance was very good. We had the chance to tie, and to score more than one goal.

Why didn't Benedetto start?

Dario didn’t start because he has an injury in his Achilles tendon, and if we don’t care for it, we’re going to lose him to that. He was very close to scoring. In the last game, he left because he was injured.

Worried about goal deficit?

This is not a 90 minute series. We’re going to play at home against the Galaxy, and we’re very confident at home.

Tijuana support from fans?

It was spectacular. It gave our players enthusiasm for 90 minutes. Now we have to finish things out in our house and we expect even more support there.

Joe Corona's performance

He’s an important player for us. He did everything we asked him to do. We took him out when he was a little tired. With a little bit more luck he would have had a goal.

Paul's Perspective

Paul Arriola lives in Chula Vista and plays with the Tijuana Xolos. Despite the team losing to Cruz Azul on Saturday, he played the whole game and notched an assist, as well as a yellow card.

I talked to him on Wednesday when he was in LA, and included some of his quotes in my ESPN article. Here's what else he said.

On returning to LA, where he was once a Galaxy Academy player

I was really excited to come back. I pushed myself to be ready to come back to play, but unfortunately, I wasn’t ready to come back. I wish I would have been able to play, but hopefully, there will be more times in the future.

On how the CONCACAF Champions League ranks as priority:

This is our #1. We put out the strongest team we could have today. On the weekend, I think you’ll see a different team. I think we’re going to rest some of our key players, specifically for the next matchup.

On Liga MX vs MLS:

For me, being an American, I’d never been involved with the Mexican league before. It was a place I wanted to go to try to earn more minutes. I wanted to develop. If you look at all the youth Mexican teams, all those kids are through the ranks of their Mexican clubs. But it has nothing to do with if MLS is better than Liga MX. I think MLS is a great league. I would have loved to stay, but the circumstances weren’t in my favor at the time. I decided to go down south, stay at home and live a teenage dream, somewhat - in terms of living at home and playing professional soccer. I’ve enjoyed it so far and hope to gain more minutes and starting time.

Has Coach Farias indicated when Arriola may start again:
Not yet. I’m pushing to make the squad on Saturday. I’m looking to earn my spot back again by working hard in practice.

Xolos Left Over

I was at the Wednesday Xolos - Galaxy CONCACAF Champions League match. 

I am sick today. 

Possibly not related. I'm in the middle of finals week where I teach and everyone is tired and stressed. 

It was a nice game with lots of action despite the relatively modest goal total. Galaxy won 1-0. 

I wrote a feature for ESPN.FC that will hopefully be posted later today. 

I got a few good quotes on my ancient minirecorder that I will post here, though. One highlight was that Herculez Gomez came over to say hi and ask me how I was. It's always nice to be remembered. 

Herc had a lot to say, so here's some of what didn't make the article. 

Herc

On the number of TJ fans at match

I think it was disappointing for L.A. You can’t claim to be one of the best fanbases and the flagship team of the league and get shown up like this. I’m sure their players feel disappointed.

On if the support surprised him

No, I’m not surprised. I expected it. We’re really popular. People keep saying MLS should go to San Diego, but that’s maybe not such a good idea.

On the Galaxy/TJ rivalry: 

I’m sure if the ownership groups and the marketing had their way, it would  be huge. 

On the game atmosphere: 

A few thousand people shouting one way, a few thousand people another way, that’s not a good atmosphere.

On playing in Estadio Caliente:

That’s going to be a good atmosphere.

On the match: 

I thought we were lucky in the first half not to be down 3-0. I do feel we reacted well in the second half. We played with a great sense of urgency, but it was too little, too late, especially at this level.

On if TJ was unlucky not to score:

Absolutely, but that’s the way football goes. You have to give them credit for looking for it in the first half. Maybe in the second half they weren’t very proactive offensively, but they did enough to get the result. It’s maybe not the best result they would have hoped for, but it’s still a result.

On importance of tourney:

When I came to TJ., it was made very clear to me that they wanted to win trophies. They wanted to be an international team. They wanted to compete. They loved that I brought that experience, that I’ve been in this tournament before, that I’ve played at the Club World Cup. I immediately took to that and thought that’s something that I wanted to be a part of. I think that’s great. I relate to that.

Is chip on shoulder the key to scoring vs MLS teams in the CCC:

There’s a chip on my shoulder that I didn’t get more time today, that’s for sure. I think you should maybe know your players better. This is a tournament that I get up for. I’ve done a lot of things that have been positive in this tournament. I would have loved to have had more time. I was proactive, I was getting looks, it just wasn’t enough. I would have loved to have done more.

On happy LA memories:

Absolutely. I love LA. They gave me a chance and an opportunity when not many would. I still have a house here.