The sometimes-heated CONCACAF opening round against Puntarenas now over, Houston Dynamo has a quick cramming session to prepare for second round opponent Pachuca of Mexico. Here's what you need to know, and what Dominic Kinnear has on his scouting table of contents:
Pachuca qualified for the 2007 CONCACAF Champions Cup as defending champions of the Mexican First Division. After winning the 2006 title, Pachuca is currently fourth in the overall league standings, competing in Clausura 2007.
The Tuzos advanced to the semifinal against the Dynamo by virtue of two shutouts over Marquense of Guatamala (2-0 in the first leg at Pachuca, 1-0 at the return match at San Marcos).
Pachuca is also the current defending champion of the South American Cup, the first Mexican club team to win that championship.
The Tuzos' coach, Enrique Meza, is one of the winningest coaches in Mexican soccer history.
Pachuca is led by Goalkeeper Miguel Calero and Forward Andres Chitiva, both from Colombia.
The city of Pachuca, north of Mexico City, is sometimes referred to as "LaBella Airosa," "The Beautiful Windy City."
