WASHINGTON, DC (Aug 27, 2008) USSoccerPlayers -- The first night of CONCACAF Champions League preliminaries left both Major League Soccer clubs needing goals in Tuesday's home leg if they want to advance to the group stage.
Joe Public 2 - New England 1
It's hard enough trying a new offense when one of its key components needs to be subbed off 25 minutes in. That was the scenario for New England Tuesday night when Steve Ralston had to leave due to back spasms. The result was a disjointed attack and Joe Public taking full advantage.
After Joe Public dominated opportunities in the first half, Gregory Richardson put them one up in the 51st and Jamal Gay made it 2-0 in the 70th minute. Mauricio Castro got the Revs goal, converting a penalty in the 76th.
New England would end up with only five shots, putting two of them on goal.
"They played better, passed the ball better," New England coach Steve Nicol said. "We knew it was going to be tough. The biggest thing for us was that we gave ourselves the chance to tie."
Tauro FC 2 - Chivas USA 0
Edwin Aguilar was the difference at Rod Carew Stadium in Panama City, scooring in the 7th and the 67th to put Tauro FC two goals up in the home -and-home series. Ante Razov did not travel to Panama as he recovers from a knee sprain.
“We didn’t come out the way we wanted to come out from the locker room," Chivas USA coach Preki said. "We fell quickly behind at the 7th minute. It was difficult for us, we were caught by surprise and we were 2-0 behind. We created one or two opportunities with Atiba Harris. If he scores, it was going to be another game but we don’t score and we go to half-time 1-0 down. At the second time, I tried to push the tempo a little bit, we made one mistake and we got punished. We are still not out of it, hopefully we can get together and may be get two or three (players) back.”
