Eight-time Chilean national champion CD Universidad Católica provide the opposition for the initial foray by an MLS team in the Nissan Copa Sudamericana, when they travel to Washington, D.C. to take on defending MLS champion D.C. United on Tuesday at RFK Stadium (8:15 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel).
Católica have been the best team in Chile over the 2005 calendar year, having not yet allowed a goal in the second-half league season as they top the table by four points after eight matches. Católica have another tie to Major League Soccer: in 1999 they provided the opposition for CD Guadalajara of Mexico as part of the All-Star Game festivities, Chivas winning 2-1 in the nightcap at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.
HISTORY
Universidad Católica was founded April 21, 1937, by a group of students and alumni from the university who were disgruntled with the confederation of sporting clubs created by the Universidad de Chile and the Catholic universities in Santiago and Concepcion.
The club began its footballing career that year - facing traditional rival Universidad de Chile - and has since won eight national championships, the first in 1949 and most recently in the 2002 Torneo Apertura (the first-half championship).
On the international stage, Católica has reached the final of the Copa Libertadores - the South American club championship on one occasion, losing to Sao Paulo FC of Brazil 5-3 on aggregate in the 1993 final. Sao Paulo won the first leg 5-1; Católica gaining a measure of redemption with a 2-0 victory at home in the return match.
Católica participated in the 1994 Interamerican Cup, matching the champions of the Copa Libertadores and the CONCACAF Champions Cup (they replaced Sao Paulo), and defeated Costa Rica's Deportivo Saprissa in extra time. Saprissa won the first leg 3-1 at home, but when Católica ended the 90 minutes of normal time ahead 3-1 in the second leg in Santiago, the game went to extra time, where Católica scored twice to claim their biggest honor.
DOMESTIC FORM
Católica currently lead the Chilean Primera Division with 20 points from eight matches - and they haven't yet allowed a goal in domestic competition in the new season. They lead Colo Colo and Universidad de Chile by four points (Colo Colo has a match in hand).
Last Saturday, Católica saw their four-match winning run come to an end, but still remained unbeaten in the Clausura with a scoreless draw away to Huachipato. Goalkeeper José María Buljubasich extended his shutout streak to 783 minutes, a new club record, surpassing the former mark of 707 set by Daniel Moron.
Here's the team Jorge Pellicier ran out: José María Buljubasich - Jaime Rubilar, Mauricio Zenteno, Albert Acevedo - Iván Vásquez, Jorge Ormeño (José Pedro Fuenzalida), Alejandro Osorio, Eros Pérez - Darío Conca - Ignacio Quinteros (Nicolás Núñez), Jorge Quinteros (Eduardo Rubio).
Católica has scored 12 goals in their eight matches in the Clausura, led by three from attacking midfielder Dario Conca. Eduardo Rubio and Jorge Quinteros have two each; Alejandro Osorio, Eros Pérez and Nicolás Núñez have hit for one each.
In the first half of the season, Católica finished atop the general table with 44 points from 19 matches, five clear of arch-rival Universidad de Chile. But after disposing of Deportes Concepcion in the quarterfinals of the championship 6-2 on aggregate, they were upset by 10th-place (and eventual champion) Union Espanola in the semifinals, knocked out 10-9 in a penalty shootout after the teams finished level 1-1 on aggregate.
COPA SUDAMERICANA
Universidad Católica have survived two rounds in the section matching clubs from Chile and Peru to reach the quarterfinals.
In the first stage, faced against bitter rival Universidad de Chile, Católica won a vital 2-1 away victory in the first leg thanks to a late penalty (Juan Manuel Olivera 2 - Jorge Quinteros 42, Eduardo Rubio 81 pen). Although they lost 1-0 at home in the return match (Hugo Droguett 52), the two away goals were enough to send them through after finishing 2-2 on aggregate.
In the second stage, Católica thrashed Alianza Atlético 5-0 at home in the first leg to all but kill off the tie (Eduardo Rubio 18 pen, 25; Darío Conca 68; Nicolás Núñez 80, 84). While the Peruvian club won the return match 2-0 at home to get a measure of consolation (Francisco Ferreyra 2, Víctor Miranda 58 pen), Católica still moved into the round-of-16 with no worries.
Here's Pellicer's team in the second leg: José María Buljubasich - Jaime Rubilar, Mauricio Zenteno, Facundo Imboden - Nicolás Núñez, Jorge Ormeño, Francisco Arrué (Alejandro Osorio 89), Eros Pérez - Darío Conca (Ignacio Quinteros 67) - Eduardo Rubio, José Pedro Fuenzalida (Albert Acevedo 69).
This is Católica's second appearance in the four-year history of the Copa Sudamericana. In 2003, they faced Provincial Osorno of Chile in the first stage of Section 4, winning 5-3 on penalties after the teams finished 2-2 on aggregate over the two legs. Then facing Cienciano of Peru in the section final, the winner advancing to the quarterfinals, Católica lost 5-3 on aggregate to the eventual champions, losing the first leg away 4-0 before coming back to win the return match 3-1, still falling 5-3 on total goals.
FACING D.C. UNITED
Católica head coach Jorge Pellicier faces no real squad concerns for the first leg against D.C. United. The club left after their victory on Saturday against Huachipato, flying overnight to arrive on Tuesday morning in the U.S. capital
Pellicier has to make one choice, with defender Jaime Rubilar sent off in the second leg against Alianza Atlético, but indicated Albert Acevedo will take his place.
Despite the heavy match load recently, Pellicier said "beyond the weariness, we're very proud to represent Chile in the Copa Sudamericana and that overcomes everything."
Pellicier said his club's goal is to score a valuable goal as the visitor to take back with them for the return leg on Sept. 22 in Santiago.
D.C. United is "physically very potent, fast and they take dead balls very well. North American football has really improved and for that, it will be a very difficult game. We have respect for them, but we're going to try and make a defensive effort like the ones we made against Huachipato or Cobreloa (a 2-0 away victory for Católica)."
Católica has twice this season gotten a taste of MLS opposition, defeated 3-2 by Real Salt Lake on June 9 and 4-1 by the Columbus Crew on June 4, though the Chilean team used mostly reserves in both contests.
Católica SQUAD
1. José María Buljubasich (GK; 05/12/1971)
Veteran Argentinian goalkeeper who joined Católica at the start of the 2005 season from Union Española, where he signed for the 2004 after a year's retirement to become an agent, then led that club to the final of the Clausura in Chile ... His career began in 1991 with Rosario Central, and has seen stints in Spain with Oviedo, Tenerife and Lleida, as well as Mexico. His career had seemingly ended in '02 with Buenos Aires giant River Plate.
25. Paulo Garcés (GK; 08/02/1984)
Developed in the Católica youth system ... Made his Primera Division debut in 2003 ... Spent 2004 on loan with Puerto Montt
15. Albert Acevedo (DF; 05/06/1983)
Under-20 and under-23 international for Chile ... Has been used in a variety of roles: marking back, wingback, libero and midfielder ... Made his Primera debut with Católica in 2002
2. Jaime Rubilar (DF; 10/31/1978)
Defender obtained at the start of the season by Católica from Unión Española, where he spent one season in 2004 after beginning his career in 1998 with Palestino ... While primarily a marking back, had real success at Española as libero
5. Eros Pérez (DF; 06/03/1976)
Left-sided wingback or midfielder signed in 2004 by Católica after a season in Greece with Skoda Xanthi ... After beginning his career in 1994 with Palestino, played four seasons in Argentina ... Chilean international, played in World Cup qualifiers for Korea/Japan 2002 as well as Copa America 2001
13. Facundo Imboden (DF; 02/02/1980)
Left-sided central defender who signed with Católica this year ... Made his debut with Boca Juniors in his native Argentina in 2000; also playing with Belgrano, Huracan and Olimpo (all Argentina) as well as Millonarios in Colombia
4. Mauricio Zenteno (DF; 04/21/1984)
Center back who gained promotion to the senior team from the youth levels with Católica in 2004
23. Claudio Muñoz (DF; 12/02/1984)
Moved into the senior team in 2003, making his full debut that year in the Copa Libertadores v Paysandu (Brasil)
10. Darío Conca (MD; 05/11/1983)
Creative midfielder who joined Católica for the 2004 Clausura after beginning his career with River Plate in his native Argentina ... Leads Católica in goalscoring in the current campaign with three
7. Francisco Arrué (MD; 08/07/1977)
Midfielder signed from Puebla in Mexico for the 2005 season to join with Dario Conca in the building of the Católica attack ... His career began in 1994 with Colo Colo, eventually moving to Católica for the first time for the 2001 season ... Then moved abroad, playing in Switzerland (Lucerne) and Spain (Leganes) before joining Puebla in 2004.
3. Jorge Ormeño (MD; 06/14/1977)
Holding midfielder who moved to Católica for the 2004 season from Santiago Wanderers, where he made his full professional debut in 1996, becoming a regular there in 2000
8. Iván Vásquez (MD; 08/13/1985)
Moved into the first team with Católica in 2003 at age 17, and has already become one of the regulars in the side
20. Nicolás Núñez (MD; 09/12/1984)
Returned to Católica for the 2005 season - where he came through the youth scheme - after one year with Puerto Montt, where he scored seven goals while playing on both sides as a wide midfielder ... Captain of Chile at U-17 level, a series of injuries halted his progress through the national youth teams
21. Miguel Ponce (MD; 08/19/1971)
Chilean international who returned to Católica in 1999, to the club where he began his professional career in 1989 ... Also played with Temeco, Everton and Universidad de Chile ... Left-sided wide midfielder, he was a in the Chilean squad in the 1993 and 1997 Copas America and a regular in qualifying for the 1998 World Cup
11. Alejandro Osorio (MD; 06/24/1976)
In his second stint with the club where he began his professional career in 1994 ... Moved first to Argentina, where he played with Estudiantes de la Plata (2000-03), then spending a year in Portugal with Beira Mar
18. Eduardo Rubio (FW; 11/07/1983)
U-20 international ... Tricky attacker who made his full professional debut in 2002 after coming through the Católica youth system ... Creative midfielder who was part of the Chilean team that placed third in the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Championship in Japan ... A full international, playing in qualifying matches for Korea/Japan 2002
17. Ignacio Quinteros (FW; 04/23/1979)
Powerful forward who was a recent signing for Católica from Mexican outfit Puebla ... Made his Primera debut with Colo Colo in 1996, also playing with Temuco before moving to Puebla in 2003
9. Jorge Quinteros (FW; 07/27/1974)
Rebounded from a difficult start in Chile to score eight goals in all competitions in the first half of 2005 for Católica ... Came to Chile for the 2004 Clausura from Argentinos Juniors, where he began his professional career in 1994 ... Also played for San Lorenzo, Chacarita Juniors and Talleres in his homeland, as well as one season with Mallorca in Spain (1999-2000)
19. José Pedro Fuenzalida (FW; 02/22/1985)
Product of the club who was installed into the starting lineup for the first time in 2004 in the first match in charge for Jorge Alberto Pellicer
16. Cesar Cortes (FW; 01/09/1984)
Product of the Católica youth scheme, he was sent on loan to Puerto Montt before having played a first team match - and scored 12 goals in the 2004 season to earn a recall to Católica this year
DT: Jorge Alberto Pellicer (02/07/1966)
Became head coach in the 2004 season after serving four-plus years in the youth system with the club ... Had a nine-year professional career as a center back and holding midfielder with Audax Italiano (1984-90), Deportes Temuco (1991) and Unión Española (1992) ... Capped twice by Chile, playing a pair of friendlies in 1984
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
