CONCACAF Champions' Cup

Current Champions: CF Pachuca

Background:
- North America's version of the UEFA Champions League
- Knockout, home and away fixtures

Qualified teams:

Mexico
CF Pachuca - 2007 Clausura champion
CF Atlante - 2007 Apertura champion

United States
Houston Dynamo - 2007 MLS Cup champion
D.C. United - 2007 MLS Supporters' Shield winner

Central America
CD Motagua - 2007 Interclubes UNCAF winners (Honduras)
Deportivo Saprissa - 2007 Interclubes UNCAF runner-up (Costa Rica)
CSD Municipal - 2007 Interclubes UNCAF third place (Guatemala)

Caribbean
Harbour View - 2007 CFU Club Championship winner (Jamaca)


Quarterfinals

Bracket 1
CSD Municipal - Houston Dynamo
CF Atlante - Deportivo Saprissa

Bracket 2
CD Motagua - CF Pachuca
Harbour View - D.C. United

Semifinals
- Winners of Bracket 1 play against each other
- Winners of Bracket 2 play against each other

Final
Winner of Bracket 1 v Winner of Bracket 2

Quarterfinals Matchdays

12 March 2008
Municipal 0 – 0 Houston Dynamo

19 March 2008
Houston Dynamo 3 – 1 Municipal

13 March 2008
Atlante 2 – 1 Saprissa

20 March 2008
Saprissa – Atlante

11 March 2008
Motagua 0 – 0 Pachuca

19 March 2008
Pachuca 1 – 0 Motagua

12 March 2008
Harbour View 1 – 1 DC United

18 March 2008
DC United 5 – 0 Harbour View

Semifinals Matchdays

April 1 - April 3
April 8 - April 10

Final Matchdays

April 22 - April 24
April 29 - May 1

So DC United played Harbour View last night at RFK. Their second competitive match of 2008. After the disappointment in their performance after the first leg, I have to say I was quite impressed with the 5-0 thrashing they gave Harbour View last night. Emilio and McTavish both with a brace, and my man of the match Fred with the final goal and 2 assists. The offense was clicking on all cylinders last night.

They advance to the next round with an aggregate score of 6-1.

April 1 - April 3

First Leg
Pachuca 2-0 DC United
Houston Dynamo 0-0 Saprissa

April 9
DC United 2-1 Pachuca (2-3)

Pachuca advance to the finals. DC United played very well in this game, obviously by the scoreline, but they deserved a lot more than what they got. They were very threatening all game long on the offensive side, they just couldn't finish due to great goal keeping by Pachuca's keeper. There was also a clear-cut penalty (in my eyes) that was not called in favor of Fred for DC United.

Fred was definitely my man of the match, he set up both DC United goals and was all over the pitch. Also should have been awarded a PK, but the ref completely missed it. Luciano Emilio missed a few great chances in the first half, and one in the second half that could have turned this tie in DC United's favor, but it just wasn't to be.

On a bright note, it was good to see DC United play well against a top class team in Pachuca (Mexican juggernauts). If they continue to play like this, they will be a major force in the MLS once again, and they are a much deeper team this time around, so hopefully that'll come useful towards the end of the campaign and come playoff time.

April 9
Saprissa 3 - 0 Houston (3-0)

Saprissa dominated this match. The fireworks didn't start going off till the second half, but once the first goal went in, it was all downhill for the Dynamo. Saprissa seemed to get stronger and stronger as the match went on. Was it the altitude that hampered the Dynamo later on in the match? or were they just severely outplayed I don't know. I would have to go with a combination of both. Saprissa had great passing, and were linking up together with great movement for the 3 goals.

Once again, no MLS team makes it to the finals of the Champions Cup. The final will be Saprissa v Pachuca. Will Pachuca repeat and get a spot at the Fifa Club World Cup in Japan?

I'm not a huge fan of Mexican football, but Pachuca's play is very nice to watch and can be very effective. Can they beat Saprissa and go to Japan again? It will be very interesting..........