Group Stage - GROUP B - Match 12
Wednesday, August 1, 2007 - 9 p.m. CT
Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Ill.
CLUB AMERICA v MONARCAS MORELIA
REFEREE: Hugo Léon Guajardo (MEX)
ASSISTANT REFEREES: Arturo Valásquez (MEX); Alfonso Delcado (MEX)
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Michael Kennedy (USA)
MATCH BACKGROUND
Monarcas Morelia come into their final SuperLiga group game knowing they must defeat Mexican rival Club América if they are to have any chance of reaching the semifinals. Morelia has twice falling behind in the tournament, only to come back to claim draws against the two MLS sides. América has lost to both MLS teams, still to score a goal in the inaugural SuperLiga.
Club América
Club América saw their chances to advance to the semifinals ended with a 1-0 loss to D.C. United. After their opening two SuperLiga games, América still has yet to score a goal. In the first game, technical director Luis Fernando Tena started Lucas Castroman but replaced him with Rodrigo López; in the second, he brought both on as substitutes as they chased the equalizing goals. "We've had six or seven weeks coming back from vacation and we need to improve physically and in the coordination between the players. Some players are on different levels from others. I don't want to take any credit away from D.C. United, they played a great game. They are a very compact team, very organized on the field," Tena said. "Everyone is a little tired with the flights and they get a little out of rhythm," said newly acquired Argentinean midfielder Federico Insua. "It's not an excuse, but it's pretty obvious that they were at home and we were basically flying here and there. We were a little tired from the tournament and the fact that we are still in preseason."
Monarcas Morelia
In their second SuperLiga game, Monarcas Morelia were again hit by an early goal. Against D.C. United, Morelia went down after just seven minutes, but recovered to get a 1-1 draw. Against Houston Dynamo, they went down after just 12 seconds, but again recovered. "We came out of the locker room with one goal against us, and we can't let that happen again. It was the first play of the game, and I think we were sleeping on the field," said goalkeeper Moises Muñoz. "After that, though, our team got the ball and we got the rhythm of the game." A Houston victory would have all but guaranteed the two MLS teams would advance from the group, but now Morelia have a chance to reach the SuperLiga semifinals if they defeat Club América. "In general, I believe that it was a really good game by both teams," Morelia coach José Luis Trejo said. "Both teams had opportunities, and at the end it was an even score. Both teams played well, and it was a very good game ... It was hard to have the goal so early in the game, but it was good for us to come back from that."
State of Play: Group B
Houston Dynamo and D.C. United have the advantage coming into the final matchday in Group B. If Morelia fails to defeat Club América, the two MLS clubs will advance, regardless of their result. A Morelia victory, and a draw between the two MLS teams, and it will come down to tie-breakers. If either Houston or D.C. win, they will be guaranteed a spot in the final four, with the other waiting to see on Morelia's result in the later game.
