BC Pangie

Unfortunately I didn’t get to see either of these games in their entirety.  I was able to catch the first half an hour of  Houston - Pachuca, and the second half of D.C. United - Chivas.  Neither of my predictions were correct, but I warned you of that, and, the Houston - Pachuca game was relatively close.

 Houston 2 - 0 Pachuca

I didn’t really think much of the Houston - Pachuca game. Houston had it’s moments of  dominance, while Pachuca aslo appeared to have runs of dominance moving the ball cleanly around the pitch.  This Pachuca team is a pretty good one, and prior to this game, I would have thought they could handle the Dynamo with ease.  After this game, I’m not so sure.  Granted I didn’t see the whole game, but this second game will be rather interesting.  Pachuca down to goals from Ching, and his sub - Wondolowski.  However, the second game will be at Pachuca’s home stadium, in Mexico City, a place where American teams have traditionally found it difficult to perform well.  Typically two goals would be a bit of a hole to climb out of, but it’s a feat that can be easily accomplished by this Pachuca team given the conditions.  Of course, the Dynamo will probably play a defensive game that could be difficult for Pachuca to penetrate.  Look for the second leg on FSC on April fourth.

 

If my previous prediction for the second game is to stand that still puts Pachuca into the finals.  But with a two goal lead, I see Houston  buttoning up  tight  and really forcing Pachuca to  work.  Revised Prediction: Houston 1 - 2 Pachuca or Houston 0 - 2 Pachuca: Houston wins on penalty kicks.  One of the things I failed to recognize is how well Zach Wells has been playing since he was brought on early on in the first leg against Puntarenas.

Chivas Guadalajara 1 - 1 D.C. United 

I thought D.C. would really take it to Chivas considering how Emilio and Gómez have been looking upfront as of late.  I was wrong.  Chivas popped the first goal early on in the second half, and D.C. didn’t claw back until into injury time.  I thought D.C. for the most part looked disjointed and forced.  Perhaps this was becaue once again it was pouring out and I picked the match up in the second half.  Chivas looked okay with Bravo and Bofo upfront, but nothing to pin the title on.  Overall, Chivas looked the better team, and although it was a nice set piece that led directly to yet another Emilio goal, I don’t see D.C. United coming through as I did earlier on.  Revised Prediction: D.C. United 1 - 3 Chivas.  Unlike my previous prediction I think Chivas will go through to face Houston.  This match can be seen on FSC on April third.