Straight from The Belly|| March 8, 2006 @ 10:51 pm || Major League Soccer, World Soccer
There was nothing dignified about Major League Soccer’s exit from the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Like I said, the 0-0 draws in the first legs meant the second legs were mere formalities. One way or another the second leg home teams were going to win the series. But why did the Revs and Galaxy have to lose in such stupidly spectacular fashion?
In the away leg the Galaxy managed to blow a 2-0 halftime lead and then lose the game to Saprissa 3-2 in overtime. I don’t know what Steve Sampson said at halftime, but it obviously wasn’t the right thing to say.
And then the Revolution, after 179 scoreless minutes over the course of two games, let Alajuelense score in the 180th minute of play. Granted, the game winning free kick was an absolutely stunner.
What can you say? Saprissa and Alajuelense did what neither the Revolution nor the Galaxy managed to do: they got the job done at home. Until Major League Soccer teams can do that themselves on a consistent basis the league will always struggle internationally.
Two thoughts:
1) Another reason the MLS should move to a fall-winter-spring schedule. MLS teams are at a disadvantage in these sorts of things since they have been together for like 4 weeks, whereas the opposition is usually in mid season form
2) Why did NE play it’s ‘home’ leg in Bermuda? Seems like a dumb move.
Comment by john — March 9, 2006 @ 4:58 am
So many opportunities wasted by LA in Saprissa game. Then again, I could say the same thing about Saprissa. The LA defense was timid and could have allowed a lot more goals in. Landon looked listless. Herculez Gomez killed the momentum with his antics on the pitch. Finally, Ugo Ihemelu should be benched for the rest of the season. I’ve seen rec league players show better defensive skills.
Comment by Chris — March 9, 2006 @ 6:09 am
Unofficially, I heard that Steve Sampson at half-time told the Galaxy they were “CONCACAF Cup Winners for Life.”
Comment by D — March 9, 2006 @ 10:05 am