As the group round of Superliga drew to a close this weekend, soccer fans saw some important matches.
First off, the Houston Dynamo earned their spot in the semis, and overall victory in Group A, with a 3-1 win over DC United.
The other Saturday match saw Atalante simultaneously punch their semifinal ticket and end CD Guadalajara's Superliga run with a two-nil victory.
Sunday saw a pair of 1-1 draws to determine the semifinalists of Group B. New England's draw with Chivas USA pits them with the top overall record and the only team with no losses to this point in the competition.
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The draw also ended Chivas USA's hope to reach the semis when Pachuca CF earned the one point they needed against Santos Laguna. That result proved to be all the defending champions needed to make it back to the semis.
The Houston Dynamo and FC Pachuca have advanced to the semis now for the second consecutive year.
Last year, the United States represented three of the four semifinalists, yet still failed to take home the title.
This time around, each side is represented equally, and each matchup pits a Mexican side against an American side. I think this is what the founders of Superliga were hoping for from the beginning.
Both matches will occur midweek later this month, the Dynamo will host Pachuca on Tuesday, July 29th at 10 PM Eastern. The following day, at eight PM Eastern, The New England Revolution will host Atlante.
The final will be played Tuesday, August fifth.
Predictions:
Houston Dynamo 1-2 FC Pachuca
New England Revolution 1-0 Atlante
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about 1 month ago
I just hope Pachuca Dynamo goes into penalties again this year. That match was one of the best soccer games I saw last year including Gold Cup.
from about 1 month ago
as long as the revs take the title home.
i do remember that game though, it was pretty great
about 1 month ago
How come Houston hasn't been able to play this well domestically?
from about 1 month ago
who knows, maybe it's because they thrive in a win or go home environment. maybe they are trying so hard to just not lose, they are forgetting to win, four losses is best in the west and tied with the revs for the lowest loss total in the league, unfortunately 4 wins is tied for second fewest in the league while their 8 ties ranks them number one in that column, they are tied for second in GA, but also have scored the second fewest number of goals
however when you look at the number of games they have played, they have a game or two in hand on all the western teams, turning one of those games into a win, they jump to second place.
i wouldn't worry too much about houston, with the season coming to a close and the fact they are tetering on missing the playoffs, i think they will step up and start winning more games
in their last ten games they are 4-2-4 (one of the 3 losses they suffered was on pk's, thus in league play it would've ended in a draw) which isn't to shabby of a record, if they continue this play for the next ten games, their record improves to 8-6-12 which will probably be good enough pace to make the playoffs where they usually shine
i do hope i'm wrong though, b/c i would hate to see them beat the revs again
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