ESPN

Herculez Gomez started the day Sunday with a call-up to the U.S. national team, his first under Jurgen Klinsmann. The finish was even better.

Gomez became the first American player to win top-flight titles in the U.S. and Mexico as Santos Laguna claimed the Mexican Primera Division title with a 2-1 victory over Monterrey in the second leg of the title series in the spring Clausura, the season's second-half championship.

Santos, from Torreon, won on 3-2 aggregate, the first top seed to win the title since Pachuca's triumph in the 2007 Clausura, 10 tournaments ago. The first leg, Thursday in Monterrey, finished 1-1.

Gomez, who was born in Los Angeles, raised in Las Vegas and made his name during a breakout 2005 season with the Galaxy, did not appear in either game.

Houston Dynamo manager Dominic Kinnear also has won titles in both countries, as a midfielder for Necaxa in 1994, as head coach of the Dynamo in 2006 and 2007 and as assistant coach with the San Jose Earthquakes in 2001 and 2003.

Daniel Ludueña in the sixth minute and Oribe Peralta in the 65th scored fine goals to give Santos a 2-0 lead. Aldo de Nigris pulled Monterrey back one in the 79th. Peralta scored the Guerreros' first-leg goal and two late goals to overcome UANL Tigres in the semifinals.

The championship was the fourth for Santos, which previously won the 1996 Invierno, 2001 Verano and 2008 Clausura and had lost in three of the previous four finals. The Guerreros had qualified for the upcoming CONCACAF Champions League as runner-up during the fall Apertura, but Sunday's victory means they will be top seed in one eight three-team groups in the first stage, which begins in late July.

(Read full post)

Oribe Peralta, hero of Santos Laguna's stunning semifinal comeback, came up big again Thursday in the opener of the Mexican Primera Division's title series.

Peralta scored a superb goal in the 70th minute to give the Guerreros, seeking to become the first No. 1 seed in five years to win Mexico's most prestigious soccer competition, an advantage that will serve them well in Sunday's second leg of the Clausura (or second-half) championship.

Monterrey rallied for a 1-1 draw in stoppage, with Humberto Suazo winning and then converting a penalty kick, but the result is a plus for Santos, which is seeking its first title since the 2008 Clausura and fourth in history.

Santos, which lost to Monterrey in last month's CONCACAF Champions League final, went ahead when Peralta, who scored twice in the final 10 minutes to lift the Guerreros past UANL Tigres in the semifinals, took a long ball over the top about 30 yards from the Rayados' goal, opened space with a simple touch, and lofted the ball over goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco.

Suazo was fouled by Felipe Baloy in the Santos box in the first minute of stoppage. His penalty kick, in the fourth minute, beat goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez to the left post.

Santos Laguna needed a late miracle to reach the Mexican Primera Division's title series. Monterrey required only a little home cooking.

They'll face off this week in the home-and-home Clausura final, the first time the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds have reached the championship matches since 2000.

Top-seeded Santos got two late goals from Oribe Peralta to overcome UANL Tigres, winner of the fall Apertura title. Sunday's 2-2 draw in Torreon left aggregate at 3-3, and the Guerreros advanced with the better regular-season's finish.

Monterrey, seeking its third Mexican title in seven seasons, beat visiting America, 2-0, Saturday on goals by Jose Maria Basanta and Aldo de Nigris. The first leg, Wednesday at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, was scoreless.

The title series is a rematch of last month's CONCACAF Champions League final, which Monterrey captured on 3-2 aggregate for its second straight confederation title.

Santos is making its fourth appearance in a final in five seasons but is seeking its first title since the 2008 Clausura, eight campaigns ago. Monterrey beat Santos in the 2010 Apertura final.

Peralta's goals answered two in the first half by Hector Mancilla for Tigres, which was looking to set up a first title-series showdown with Clasio Regiomontano archrival Monterrey.

(Read full post)

The No. 1 seed in Mexico's Primera Division playoffs had failed to advance from the quarterfinals in 13 of 20 postseasons, seven of nine and the last four in a row. Santos Laguna failed to follow form.

The Torreon-based Guerreros advanced to the semifinals Sunday, finishing off a 6-4 aggregate victory over Jaguares de Chiapas, and No. 2 Monterrey and No. 3 America joined them.

The only upset: UANL Tigres toppling fourth-seeded Morelia in the other opening series. And calling it an upset is gross exaggeration. Tigres, the No. 5 seed, won the Apertura title last fall and was in the top three most of the current Clausura season.

Santos will meet Tigres and Monterrey takes on America in two-leg series that begin Tuesday and Wednesday and conclude next weekend.

(Read full post)

Club Tijuana came into the Mexican Primera Division's spring championship aiming for survival. They claimed more than that Sunday, nailing down their first postseason berth in the country's top league.

The Xolos, who would have qualified had Pachuca or Jaguares failed to win their games Saturday, needed at least a draw Sunday afternoon against visiting Pumas UNAM -- and pulled out a 1-1 tie, going ahead on Duvier Riascos' goal 12 minutes into the second half and holding on after Javier Cortes equalized in the 89th minute.

Tijuana (7-3-7) finished seventh among 18 clubs and will face second-seeded Monterrey (9-3-5) in the quarterfinals, opening at home Wednesday and playing away Saturday.

Tijuana was promoted from the second-tier Liga de Ascenso last year and finished 15th in the fall Apertura. One team is relegated every year, and the Xoloitzcuintles were at the bottom of the “percentages table” -- points per game over three years -- heading into the Clausura. They lost just once in their first 10 games to reach safe ground, and finished 3-1-2 to snare their berth.

Santos Laguna (11-3-3), runner-up to UANL Tigres in the Apertura and three times in the last four championships, is the top seed and will open against Jaguares de Chiapas. No. 1 isn't the most advantageous position: Regular-season champions have lost in their playoff openers the last four seasons, in seven of the last nine championships and 13 of the last 20.

The best bets, if history holds: Monterrey (second seeds have won six of the past 20 titles) or No. 3 America (third seeds have won eight times).

A quick rundown of the Clausura campaign:

• WHO'S IN

Santos closed with seven wins in its last eight games to hold off Monterrey (9-3-5), America (9-3-5), fourth-seeded Morelia (9-4-4) and fifth-seeded Tigres (9-4-4) for the top spot, clinching as Oribe Peralta scored his eighth and ninth goals in a 3-1 victory at Atlas. L.A.-born former Galaxy star Herculez Gomez netted five goals in just 417 minutes, plus another six to send the Torreon-based club to the CONCACAF Champions League final, which was won by Monterrey.

(Read full post)

Now that the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League is done, with Mexican powerhouse Monterrey maintaining its hold on the trophy, let's take a quick look at the next edition.

The Galaxy is in the competition for the third successive tournament, and they will be top seed in one of eight first-round groups, with a format change dwindling the size of each group from four to three teams while eliminating the preliminary round.

All four U.S. representatives were determined by results in Major League Soccer last year, and the league likely will get a fifth entrant when the Canadian Championship -- with three MLS clubs among four semifinalists -- is contested next month.

Half the qualifiers from Mexico and Central America have been selected, with the current spring championships to decide the other half. The three Caribbean representatives will be selected in a tournament next month.

The CCL will kick off with games July 31 and Aug. 1 and 2, with further first-round games slated for Aug. 21-23, Aug. 28-30, Sept. 18-20, Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 23-25.

Group winners will advance to the quarterfinals (March 5-7 and 12-13, 2013). The semifinals will be played April 2-4 and 9-11, and the final is slated for April 24 and May 1.

CONCACAF has not yet announced a date for the tournament draw, but the Galaxy's group will include one team each from Pot B (possibilities are one of Mexico's runners-up, Canada's rep, the top qualifier from El Salvador and the No. 2 qualifiers from Costa Rica and Honduras) and Pot C (No. 2 teams from El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama; the Nicaraguan and Belizean champions; the three Caribbean qualifiers).

Here is where things stand in qualifying:

NORTH AMERICA
United States: Galaxy (MLS Cup/Supporters' Shield champion), Seattle Sounders (U.S. Open Cup champion), Houston Dynamo (MLS Cup runner-up), Real Salt Lake (third in Supporters' Shield, with No. 1 Galaxy and No. 2 Seattle qualifying through other means).

Mexico: Pumas UNAM (Apertura champion), Santos Laguna (Apertura runner-up). Two more slots, for the Clausura champion and runner-up.

Canada: Canadian Championship winner, tournament begins May 2.

(Read full post)

Monterrey repeated as CONCACAF Champions League titlist Wednesday night, but it sure wasn't simple.

With star striker Humbero Suazo, author of both goals in last week's first leg, suspended for the title-series finale, the Rayados created nearly nothing offensively until the finish, when Neri Cardozo delivered with one sensational run.

Cardozo's goal in the 82nd minute trimmed Santos Laguna's margin of victory in the second leg to 2-1, giving Monterrey a 3-2 aggregate advantage in the all-Mexican final.

Monterrey, which wins a return trip to the FIFA Club World Cup, slated for next December in Japan, becomes the fourth team to repeat as champion, joining countrymen Cruz Azul (twice) and Pachuca. Mexico City's Cruz Azul won a record three in a row from 1969 through 1971.

The Galaxy reached the quarterfinals in the tournament, losing to Toronto FC, which lost to Santos in the semifinals. They'll be in the next edition, which is slated to begin in late July.

Santos, playing at home in Torreon, evened the series at two goals apiece with strikes at the end of the first half and near the start of the second. Daniel Ludueña fired inside the right post from just above the box three minutes into first-half stoppage, and Oribe Peralta fired to the top-right corner in the 51st minute, following Rodolfo Salinas' failed bicycle-kick attempt after Monterrey goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco slapped away a Carlos Quintero cross.

Monterrey put only two shots on target, but the second was a worthy winner. After a Santos turnover, Cardozo was fed just inside the midfield stripe and took off on a 50-yard run. He beat two defenders with a quick give-and-go with Walter Ayovi, chested down the return pass just outside the box and half-volleyed a deflected shot inside the left post.

CONCACAF CLUB CHAMPIONS
CONCACAF Champions League
2011-12 -- Monterrey (Mexico)
2010-11 -- Monterrey (Mexico)
2009-10 -- Pachuca (Mexico)
2008-09 -- Atlante (Mexico)

(Read full post)

The U.S. women's national team was paired with familiar opposition in Tuesday's Olympic soccer draw. All three first-round foes were on the Americans' path to last year's Women's World Cup title game.

They were draw with WWC group foes Colombia and North Korea, plus France, which they beat in the semifinals.

“It’s always exciting to know who we will be playing,” U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage said in a U.S. Soccer statement following the draw at Wembley Stadium in suburban London. “We will start with an excellent opponent that we faced in the World Cup and that is a good thing. Once again, we will be facing teams with different playing styles and that is a challenge our team enjoys. When the draw happens, it energizes our players and brings even more of a focus to our team. We also have the chance to start scouting and preparing for what will be an entertaining and extremely competitive first round.”

The U.S., which heads Group G, opens July 25 against France and meets Colombia on July 28, both matches at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland. The Americans wrap up the group stage July 31 against North Korea at Old Trafford, Manchester United's stadium.

The top two teams in each group and two best third-place teams advance to the Aug. 3 quarterfinals. The semifinals are Aug. 6, and the medal matches are Aug. 9, with gold determined at Wembley.

Mexico has one of four seeded men's teams and heads Group B, with South Korea, Gabon and Switzerland. Honduras, CONCACAF's other representative, is in Group D with Spain, Japan and Morocco. The men's tournament begins July 26, the top two in each group advance to the quarterfinals, and the gold-medal match, at Wembley, is Aug. 11.

Here is the result of the draw:

WOMEN
Group E: Great Britain, New Zealand, Cameroon, Brazil.
Group F: Japan, Canada, Sweden, South Africa.
Group G: United States, France, Colombia, North Korea,

MEN
Group A: Great Britain, Senegal, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay.
Group B: Mexico, South Korea, Gabon, Switzerland.
Group C: Brazil, Egypt, Belarus, New Zealand.
Group D: Spain, Japan, Honduras, Morocco.

Monterrey took a huge step toward a second successive CONCACAF Champions League title Wednesday night, using two goals by Humberto Suazo to upend visiting Santos Laguna, 2-0, in the first leg of the all-Mexican final.

The Chilean striker scored in the 60th and 86th minutes to give the Rayados the advantage heading into next week's second leg in Torreon. He finished from Aldo de Nigris' feed for the first goal, then added a splendid finale by beating four defenders on a tight, weaving run into the box.

The goals were his sixth and seventh of the competition. He netted just once during the group phase, then tallied four times -- twice in each leg -- in a quarterfinal victory over Morelia.

Suazo will miss the second leg after picking up a yellow card in the fourth minute, and Santos defenders Felipe Baloy and Omar Mares also will be suspended after they were cautioned.

This is the third all-Mexican final in four tournaments since CONCACAF switched its club championship to the current “league” format in 2008. Atlante beat Cruz Azul in the 2009 final and Pachuca beat Cruz Azul in 2010. Monterrey toppled Real Salt Lake in last year's final.

This will be the seventh straight year, ninth time in 11 editions and 12th in 16 that a Mexican club will win the championship.

CARSON -- The scoreline in Sunday's U.S.-Mexico “legends” reunion at Home Depot Center might have been inevitable, given how everything else seemed to fall right into line.

Big crowd? Check. Rooting for El Tri? Of course. Early Mexican domination? Just like in series history. Lights-out goalkeeping? Shades of Tony Meola, Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel. An American triumph on home ground? Bingo.

“Same old same old, right?” Eric Wynalda chirped afterward. “2-0. That's the way these games finish.”

This one did, lending a red, white and blueish glow to a surprisingly delightful evening at the Clasico de Leyendas match between great U.S. and Mexican players of yesteryear, primarily the 1990s and early 2000s, when the rise of American soccer created the region's greatest national teams rivalry.

These games do finish 2-0, as most everyone on the field noted.

“Reminds me of the [2002] World Cup,” said Cobi Jones, who like former Westlake High School teammate Wynalda played in three World Cups for the U.S. “Same score, always fabulous.”

2002 is the apex of the rivalry, the only World Cup encounter in 59 meetings, but it was 2-0 U.S. in the home qualifier for the last three World Cups, in the 1991 Gold Cup -- the first of 13 U.S. victories in the past 21 years -- and in 2000 and 2007 friendlies.

The goals came from Roy Lassiter (Major League Soccer's first scoring champion) and Brian McBride (a legend in the U.S. and parts of England), and both arrived in the second half, after Galaxy goalkeeper coach Ian Feuer (capped just once, in 1992) had made the best of eight fantastic saves -- on Francisco Palencia, Ramon Morales, Jared Borgetti twice, Alberto Garcia Aspe, Ramon Ramirez and Luis Hernandez twice -- that kept the Yanks in what had been a very one-sided game.

(Read full post)

CARSON -- They're friends now, in some cases connected beyond the rivalry they've seen grow from nothing into one of the world's most heated, so Sunday evening's “Clasico de Leyendas” benefit match is more reunion than anything else.

But that spark of what was -- the intensity of the battles, the hatred of the foe -- figures to color what occurs on the Home Depot Center turf, even if the duels aren't so bloody nor the pace so quick.

More than a dozen legends from the U.S. and Mexican national teams, most of them veterans of the 1990s showdowns that created the rivalry between CONCACAF's twin powers, along with other pros will meet up again in a 70-minute match to benefit Hispanic college scholarships.

Some of the biggest names from the era -- Cobi Jones, Eric Wynalda, Alexi Lalas and Paul Caligiuri for the U.S.; Claudio Suarez, Ramon Ramirez, Jorge Campos and Luis Hernandez for Mexico -- are slated to play in the 6 p.m. game, which sounds as much celebration as competition.

“I remember my first game against Mexico was in Azteca Stadium [in the 1993 CONCACAF Gold Cup final], and we lost, 4-0,” said Thomas Dooley, the German-born midfielder who played in the 1994 World Cup and captained the U.S. at the 1998 World Cup. “My first experience that I have was with [defender and current Guadalajara head coach Ignacio] Ambriz, and we almost had a fight on the field, kicking each other, boxing each other.

“That's what the rivalry is all about, going after each other. And after the game, we looked for each other and we traded jerseys and we actually became friends whenever we saw each other. I think that's a big part of our games against Mexico. It's a competition on the field, and after the game, it doesn't matter if Mexico wins or the U.S. wins, we'll always be friends.”

(Read full post)

FRIDAY, APRIL 13

• TELEVISION

ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP
Reading at Southampton
Fox Soccer Plus, 11:40 a.m.
A Premier League preview? Sure thing, and probably title-decider in England's second division, too. Southampton (24-8-10) leads Reading (25-10-7) on goal difference, with both six points clear in the real battle -- for the two automatic promotion slots to the EPL -- with four games to go. Replay: 6 p.m.
Australian A-League
Perth Glory at Central Coast Mariners, Fox Soccer Channel, midnight

MEXICAN PRIMERA DIVISION
Club Tijuana at Jaguares de Chiapas
Azteca America (KAZA/Channel 54), 5:55 p.m.
The Xoloitzcuintles' primary goal this year was survival after promotion from the second-tier Liga de Ascenso, and if that wasn't certain when the second-half Clausura kicked off in January, it is now. Tijuana, with Americans Joe Corona and Edgar Benitez in the lineup, is on target for the playoffs, sitting seventh, five points clear with three games to go. Jaguares is eighth, three points behind the Xolos, and in greater need.
Also
Puebla at Estudiantes Tecos, Univision Deportes, 6 p.m.
Copa Libertadores
Libertad (Paraguay) at Alianza Lima (Peru), Fox Deportes, 1 p.m.

(Read full post)

THURSDAY, APRIL 12

• TELEVISION

SPANISH LA LIGA
Malaga at Villarreal
GolTV, 11 a.m.
Malaga barely escaped relegation two years ago, and look at where it ius now: best team in Spain not called Real Madrid or Barcelona. Villarreal, fourth last season, is just one spot (and four points) above the drop with seven games to go. Replay: midnight.
Also
Mallorca at Racing Santander, ESPN Deportes, 11:55 a.m.
Real Zaragoza at Sevilla, GolTV, 1 p.m.

ITALIAN SERIE A
Cagliari at Bologna
Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Deportes, 11:30 a.m.
Bologna hasn't done much since beating Lazio following a draw with Juventus a month or so ago -- the Rossoblu's winless streak is at four. Cagliari, too, is a midtable (or lower) side a few games under .500. Replays: FSC, 5 p.m. and midnight.
Dutch Eredivisie
FC Twente at AZ Alkmaar, ESPN Deportes, 5 a.m.
English Premier League
Arsenal at Wolverhampton, ESPN Deportes, 9 a.m.

COPA LIBERTADORES
CA Lanus (Argentina) at Flamengo (Brazil)
Fox Deportes, 3:30 p.m.
Lanus already is through to the knockout stage in South America's club championship, and even a loss in the Group 2 finale probably won't mean dropping to second place. The Brazilians are desperate for a victory -- and they need an Olimpia-Emelec draw in the other clash, which kicks off an hour earlier (but will be seen on a 7½-hour delay in these parts).
Also
Vasco da Gama (Brazil) at Nacionaal (Uruguay), Fox Deportes, 5:30 p.m.
Emelec (Ecuador) at Olimpia (Paraguay), Fox Deportes, 10 p.m.

(Read full post)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11

• TELEVISION

GERMAN BUNDESLIGA
Bayern Munich at Borussia Dortmund
GolTV, 11 a.m.
Defending champion Dortmund surely will make it two in a row with a victory over second-place Bayern, which sits three points back with five games to go. Any other result and the sprint to the finish is on. Replay: midnight.
Also
Borussia Mönchengladbach at Werder Bremen, ESPN Deportes, 7 a.m.
English Premier League
West Bromwich Albion at Manchester City, ESPN2, 11:30 a.m.; ESPN Deportes, 1 p.m.
Manchester United at Wigan Athletic, Fox Soccer Channel, 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Fox Deportes, 11:30 a.m.
Swansea City at Queens Park Rangers, Fox Soccer Channel, 2 p.m.

ITALIAN SERIE A
Lazio at Juventus
Fox Soccer Plus, 11:40 a.m.
Juve hasn't lost in 31 Serie A games, but it's taken failures by AC Milan -- the latest a home loss to Palermo on the weekend -- to assume command in the Scudetto race. Third-place Lazio has lost three of its last five and is clinging to Italy's final Champions League berth. Replay: 6 p.m.
Also
Siena at Inter Milan, Fox Soccer Plus, 2 and 9 p.m.

SPANISH LA LIGA
Real Madrid at Atletico Madrid
GolTV, 1 p.m.
Real's once-commanding lead in Spain's top league has been whittled to four points by Barcelona following the Merengues' scoreless draw with Valencia, and now the other archrival can give the Catalans a real chance at the trophy. Replay: 5 p.m.
Also
Athletic Bilbao at Granada, ESPN Deportes, 10:55 a.m.

COPA LIBERTADORES
Velez Sarsfield (Argentina) at Guadalajara (Mexico)
Fox Deportes, 3:30 p.m.
Velez is more or less certain to advance to the knockout stage of South America's club championship. Chivas isn't, not unless they can win here.
Also
Boca Juniors (Argentina) at Fluminense (Brazil), Fox Deportes, 6 p.m.
Corinthians (Brazil) at Nacional (Paraguay), Fox Deportes, 10 p.m.

(Read full post)

TUESDAY, APRIL 10

• TELEVISION

ITALIAN SERIE A
AC Milan at Chievo Verona
Fox Soccer Plus and Fox Deportes, 11:30 a.m.
Milan fell to second in Italy's top league with a home loss Saturday to Palermo, a point behind unbeaten Juventus with seven games to go. A win over Michael Bradley and the Flying Donkeys is a must. Replay: Fox Soccer Plus, 6 p.m.
German Bundesliga
Cologne at FSV Mainz 05, GolTV, 11 a.m.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool at Blackburn
Fox Soccer Channel, noon
We can be pretty certain that Wolves is headed back to the second-tier Championship, and two more teams will be relegated from this quartet: Bolton, QPR, Blackburn and Wigan. The Rovers would be heading down in the season ended now, and they need to beat Liverpool, just like QPR and Wigan did late last month. Replay: 5 p.m.

COPA LIBERTADORES
Defensor Sporting (Uruguay) at Deportivo Quito (Ecuador)
Fox Deportes, 2:30 p.m.
It looks like one round-of-16 berth from Group 7 in South America's club championship is available -- Argentina's Velez Sarsfield is almost through -- and one of these or Guadalajara will grab it. Defensor has the edge, with two points on the other two and two games to play.
Also
Arsenal Sarandi (Argentina) at Zamora (Venezuela), Fox Deportes, 4:30 p.m.
Peñarol (Uruguay) at Atletico Nacional (Colombia), Fox Deportes, 7 p.m.
Bolivar (Bolivia) at Union Española (Chile), Fox Deportes, 11 p.m.

• ON LOCAL FIELDS

MLS RESERVE FRIENDLY
Fullerton Rangers at Chivas USA
Home Depot Center Field 4 or Track and Field Stadium (Carson), 10 a.m.
The Goats are coming off a big win in Portland, and a few from that game figure to see the field in a scrimmage against one of the fourth-tier NPSL's U.S. Open Cup reps.

(Read full post)