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.

I’m not a big predictor, but I figured what the heck.  Why not start. 

Houston - Pachuca 

I’m going to go ahead and say Pachuca will advance to the finals.  The Dynamo are a good team, of that there is no doubt, but I’m not quite sure they’re fit and ready to play at a high level yet.  Pachuca on the other hand is half way through the Clausura and sit atop their division in the Mexican League.  With that being said, I think the Dynamo might be able to pull something together tonight at College Station, but I’m not to sure that it will be enough to see them through to the finals.

Game 1: Houston 2 - 1 Pachuca
Game 2: Houston 0 - 3 Pachuca
Aggregate: Houston 2 - 4 Pachuca 

CD Guadalajara - D.C. United

This game is a bit more troublesome to predict.  D.C. has looked good in thier previous games.  The connections up front between Gómez and Emilio have been something to talk about.  Those two, with some help from Argentine defender Facundo Erpen put seven goals behind the CD Olimpia doorman (one from Erpen, three a piece from Gómez and Emilio).  There is no question of DC’s offensive potency, it’s their defense that casts doubt on their chances of advancing to the final.  Chivas looked okay in the quarterfinals.  They had moments of brilliance, but moments that they looked no better than their semi-final counterparts.  Overall, I think D.C. will advance despite an iffy back four.  Chivas does have the benefit of being in season, but they drew on Sunday against Pumas and then have to fly to D.C. for a Thursday night game. 

Game 1: D.C. United 3 - 1 Chivas
Game 2: D.C. United 1 - 2 Chivas
Aggregate: D.C. United 4 - 3 Chivas 

I’ll probably be wrong on both counts, but we’ll just have to wait and see.  First leg of the Pachuca - Dynamo tie is tonight, while the Chivas - D.C. first leg is tomorrow the fifteenth of March. Second legs will be played on April fifth, and April third respectively.  I’ll bring results when they come.