Group Stage - GROUP A - Match 10
Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 8 p.m. MT
Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City, Colo.
CD GUADALAJARA v CF PACHUCA
REFEREE: Marco Antonio Rodríguez (MEX)
ASSISTANT REFEREES: José Luís Camargo (MEX); Salvador Rodríguez (MEX)
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Abbey Okulaja (USA)
MATCH BACKGROUND
Everything in Group A will come down to the final matchday, with the two Mexican clubs facing off in Colorado while the two MLS clubs meet in Texas. CD Guadalajara can secure advancement with a win or a draw, while CF Pachuca must win if they are to have any hope of reaching the SuperLiga semifinals Aug. 14-15.
CD Guadalajara
The return of six internationals boosted Chivas de Guadalajara on Saturday as they beat the Los Angeles Galaxy in their second SuperLiga match. Mexican national team veterans Ramon Morales, Jonny Magallon, Gonzalo Pineda and Francisco "Maza" Rodriguez started the match while Omar Bravo and under-20 national team captain Patricio Araujo came on in the second half, and the difference between Saturday's victory and Tuesday's 1-1 draw at FC Dallas was stark. "Without a doubt, the national team players are quality and understand how to play the game," Chivas coach Jose Manuel "Chepo" De la Torre. "The youngsters have done well and their response has been magnificent but (the internationals) were able to return and adjust quickly and that was a great advantage for us." That Chivas have been the only Mexican club to win a SuperLiga match was inconsequential to coaches and players. "That's not something for me to really give my opinion about. I'm worried only about my team," De la Torre said. "If (other Mexican teams) win or don't win, that's their problem."
CF Pachuca
After losing 2-1 to the Los Angeles Galaxy in their opening match of SuperLiga, CF Pachuca came into Saturday's game against FC Dallas knowing they needed a better result. In the end, they didn't exactly get what they wanted, playing to a 1-1 draw, yet the tuzos are still in contention to advance to the SuperLiga semifinals. "I liked the way the team played," said Pachuca head coach Enrique Meza. "We had our chances but couldn't convert, same as our rivals. Some were clear chances but that's how the game goes sometimes ... "We've only been together for one month, but we feel like we're continuing to get prepared (for the season). Although Pachuca have scored only two goals in SuperLiga thus far, one of those from a penalty kick, Meza has been pleased with his team's attack, especially the addition of Luís Gabriel Rey, who arrived from Atlante. "I think that he has put in a great effort," Meza said. "He's playing in a different position but overall, I think he's doing well."
State of play: Group A
After two rounds of games in Group A, nothing is yet decided. CD Guadalajara sits atop the group with four points and will clinch a berth in the semifinals with a victory or a draw - but fourth-place CF Pachuca could also claim a place if they defeat Chivas. Same with Los Angeles Galaxy and FC Dallas, who meet in the other game in the final matchday - a win by either and they will gain a spot in the semifinals. In the case of teams level on points after the end of group play, the first tie-breaker is head-to-head competition between the teams in question, then overall goal differential, then total goals scored. If teams are still tied, then there will be a drawing of lots to determine final placing.
