Pablo Aguilar (pictured) celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal for Club America in its Liga MX match against visiting Club Tijuana on July 26, 2014, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. (Photo: Mexsport)
In an MLS meeting of CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) participants, the Portland Timbers posted a 3-2 win over the Impact de Montreal, while a Liga MX battle saw Club America rally to beat Club Tijuana.
CONCACAF.com recaps the weekend domestic action from Major League Soccer and Liga MX from their respective 2014/15 CCL representatives.
MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
(2014/15 CCL qualifiers in BOLD)
Diego Valeri’s dipping strike from 22-yards out with eight minutes left in normal time gave the visiting Portland Timbers (27 points) a 3-2 win over the Impact de Montreal (14 points) on Sunday night. Andres Romero (13’) put the host in front early, but Portland responded with goals by Maximiliano Urruti (34’) and Will Johnson (40’ pen) to take a 2-1 lead. One minute before halftime, Maxim Tissot leveled for Montreal, which couldn’t hold on for the draw.
Second-half goals by Graham Zusi and Jacob Peterson moved 10-man Sporting Kansas City (38 points) moved four points clear of D.C. United in the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 win over host Toronto FC (26 points) on Saturday. Jackson Goncalves (16’) put Toronto ahead 1-0 with his third goal of the season, but Zusi equalized three minutes after the break, finishing clinically from the edge of the 18-yard box. Despite being reduced a player following Matt Besler’s 75th minute ejection for a second bookable offense, Sporting netted the game-winner through Peterson (80’).
NOTES: Against his former team, Thierry Henry set-up Bradley Wright-Phillips for the game’s only goal as the New York Red Bulls defeated Arsenal 1-0 in a friendly at Red Bull Arena on Saturday … D.C. United lost to Fulham, 3-0, in a friendly at EverBankField in Jacksonville, Florida.
LIGA MX
(2014/15 CCL qualifiers in BOLD)
Club America (6 points) is one of two teams with maximum points after two rounds of the Mexican Apertura, beating Club Tijuana (0 points), 2-1, on Saturday at the Estadio Azteca. Juan Arango converted from the penalty spot in the 20th minute, but the host rallied in the second half. Raul Jimenez (68’) equalized with a chip over on-rushing Xolos goalkeeper Cirilo Saucedo, while Paraguayan defender Pablo Aguilar headed in the dramatic winner in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time.
On Friday, Cruz Azul (1 point) earned its first point of the season with a 1-1 draw against Santos (4 points) at Estadio Corona Friday. Mauro Formica (14’) put the defending CCL champion in front early, but Andres Renteria (69’) leveled for the host.
Two-time defending Liga MX champion Leon (0 points) dropped a 4-2 decision at Tigres (4 points). Jose Maria Cardenas (27’) and Mauro Boselli (57’) scored the visitors, who fell victim to a first-half brace by Dario Burbano (12’, 22’). Emanuel Villa (42’) gave UANL a two-goal cushion shortly before the half.
A second-half stoppage time goal by substitute Dorian Pabon was the difference as visiting Monterrey (6 points) topped Pachuca (3 points) 1-0 on Saturday.
