CONCACAF Champions Cup Semifinal 1st leg Preview: DC United – Pumas UNAM Wednesday, April 6, 2005 at 7:30pm RFK Stadium
- By Joseph Schoenbauer Fri, April 1, 2005
The current champions of USA’s MLS, DC United, face the current reigning champions of Mexico, Pumas UNAM, for the first time in history tonight in a game that represents much more than a game, to both teams.
What’s at stake?
Above all, a place in the finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup is at stake. The CONCACAF Champions Cup is the major club tournament of the CONCACAF region, which is comprised of the North America, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands. What’s more, this year, the winner of the Cup earns the right to compete in FIFA’s World Club Championship this December in Japan. FIFA is attempting to re-establish the World Club Championship as its makeshift version of the World Cup for club teams, and is therefore offering a decent amount of prize money for teams that qualify. Last but not least, the rivalry has been elevated in recent years between the American and Mexican National teams due to results tending to go in USA’s favor. If MLS teams can show they can compete with Mexican soccer at club level in important competitions, the rivalry will be elevated as well. As we all know, it is MLS’s intentions, as a whole, to raise the credibility and awareness of the league. Games such as these, where the MLS champions are up against the champions of the Mexican league, regarded as the strongest league in CONCACAF, go a long way towards proving one’s credibility.
Form Guide
DC United won their first game of the league season, last Saturday, against CD Chivas USA 2-0. Josh Gros, beginning his second season as a starter on the right side of midfield, scored the first goal after some great play by Brian Carroll and Jaime Moreno. Christian Gomez finished off the scoring with a skillful shot over the shoulder of Chivas GK Brad Guzan after a mini scramble inside the box left him with a tight space to shoot from.
Pumas UNAM is currently 10 games into their 17 game season. At 3 wins, 1 tie and 6 losses, they are in 15th place out of 18 teams in the overall standings and in last place in their group (the Mexican league format consists of 3 groups of 6 teams each at the beginning of the season) They are struggling to find their form from last year when they became the only team to become back-to-back champions in Mexican League history since the league switched to the Clausura/Apertura format that is becoming increasingly popular in leagues on this side of the hemisphere.
Team News
DC United’s Boswell made his professional debut last weekend against CD Chivas USA and impressed at the center of defense where he was flanked by Mike Petke and Brandon Prideaux. Based on his performance he is expected to maintain his starting role despite his lack of experience in big games, especially since Bryan Namoff remains injured. DC United is also likely contemplating whether to give Steve Guppy a start out on the left wing. At 36 years, he may lack the pace to keep up with the speedy wingers and wingbacks of Pumas for 90 minutes. Another determining factor for Coach Peter Nowak’s lineup has to do with their busy schedule of games. DC United will be playing 3 more games by next Friday and Nowak could look to keep players from losing their legs since they are at such an early stage of their season. For this reason, Alecko Eskandarian may be rested after sustaining a slight injury over the weekend, with Freddy Adu, Santino Quaranta or Jamil Walker sliding in up top.
Pumas UNAM’s league position is making it more and more likely they are not going to be able to compete for a third Mexican league championship in a row. For this reason, they will be looking to this competition for silverware and are expected to play a strong side over the two legs. Argentinean forward Bruno Marioni is coming back from an injury to his left ankle and may start. If head coach Hugo Sanchez chooses to rest him, Bolivian Joaquin Botero will likely step in to pair leading scorer Diego Alonso up top.
Players to Watch
Jaime Lozano is Pumas UNAM’s threat from both free kicks and his quick runs up the left side of the field. Look for him to be involved for much of the game as Pumas attempts to use their speed on the wings to over come United’s defense.
Jaime Moreno had a fine first game of the season and will look to get on the scoring sheet to give DC United a good result going into the 2nd leg next week.
Possible Starting Teams
DC United (3-5-2): Rimando; Petke, Boswell, Prideaux; Guppy, Olsen, Carroll, Comez, Gros; Moreno, Quaranta
Pumas (4-4-2): Bernal; Lozano, Veron, Beltran, Castro; Ailton, Augusto, Galindo, Lopez; Alonso, Botero
Prediction
Head Coach Hugo Sanchez of Pumas, who is arguably the best soccer player to come out of Mexico ever, will have his team set on getting a good result in the first leg to take off some of the pressure off his side. However, DC United will match them, knowing a result at home will be easier to achieve than a result in Mexico City. 3-2 DC United