WASHINGTON, DC (Sept 3, 2008) USSoccerPlayers -- The New England Revolution and Chivas USA are no longer part of the CONCACAF Champions League, though Chivas USA avoided the disaster in Foxborough. In Honduras, Montreal advanced over Real Esteli.
New England 0 - Joe Public 4
Once again, the New England Revolution were outplayed by Joe Pubic, who added four more goals to their 2-1 lead from the first leg. Joe Public advance 6-1 on aggregate, with Gregory Richardson hitting a hat-trick from goals in the 17th, 45th, and 81st. Roen Nelson had Joe Public's third goal in the 48th.
In a game where New England played a makeshift lineup due to injuries, they actually took more shots than Joe Public, 10 to 9. Unfortunately for the Revolution, Joe Public put 7 of their 9 on frame.
“To be honest with you and not being boastful we saw New England play against Toronto and knew the wingbacks are weak and we have quick players like Jackie – Jackie Chan – his correct name is Gregory Richardson - and we learned from that," said Joe Public coach Keith Griffin.... They play around (Shalrie) Joseph and once you [neutralize] Joseph, well then, New England can’t play.”
Things got worse for the Revs late, going a man down after Joseph had to be taken off for injury in the 75th. The Revs already used their three substitutes.
Now we concentrate on the league," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. "I don’t know what else to tell you. The last three months we’ve played every four days, with a roster of 18. You’re traveling and that’s what you get tonight - you get a team that’s getting no juice. We might be able to manage a training session or two in the next couple of weeks, and get some strength back, and get on with MLS.”
Chivas USA 1 - Tauro FC 1
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Chivas USA briefly took the lead in the second on a 42nd minute goal from Roberto Nurse. That would be it as far as goals for Chivas USA, who lost Jonathan Bornstein to a second yellow in the 52nd minute. Tauro FC made things even ten minutes later, drawing the second leg and taking the series 3-1 on aggregate.
“We tried to push forward here," Chivas coach Preki said. "We had to win this game. I wish them good luck. We are just having a tough time scoring goals… we created chances but it doesn’t really matter. I’m disappointed.”
Real Esteli 0 - Montreal 0
The Montreal Impact rode their 1-0 first leg win to the CONCACAF Champions League group stage, with the second leg ending scoreless at Carlos Miranda Stadium. "We have written history in Canada,” said Impact defender Simon Gatti. “We knew that the game was not going to be easy, but we got the result that we wanted so it’s satisfying.”
Real Esteli had their chances, hitting the crossbar in the 33rd, but Montreal also came close. Montreal will face Atlante, CD Olympia and Joe Public in Group C.
