The gap between the leagues may be narrowing, but MLS still can’t win in Mexican territory.
D.C. United traveled to Guadalajara with a 2-1 advantage in a two-leg, round-of-16 Copa Sudamericana series against Chivas and a chance to reach the quarterfinals for the first time.
But just like it happened last April in a CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, United left Jalisco Stadium eliminated from an international competition.
Ramon Morales’ golazo in the 63rd minute was all Chivas needed to advance. Technically, the series ended 2-2, but Chivas, with new coach Efrain Flores, goes on because they scored an away goal, which counts as two.
MLS teams never have won against Mexican First Division teams in official competition in Mexico.
D.C., the only MLS club to participate in the South America’s second most prestigious club tournament, is 0-2 in first-round games.
That includes the Dynamo’s 5-2 loss to Pachuca in another Champions’ Cup semifinal last April. The Dynamo went to Pachuca with a 2-0 edge but lost the series 5-4.
United is also now 0-3 when visiting Mexican teams.
Knowing such an international match wouldn’t draw a paying crowd, fans were treated to free admission by the 11-time Mexican champion.
Chivas will play Argentina’s Arsenal in the quarterfinals.
One CONCACAF team down, one to go. Club América hosts defending Sudamericana champion Pachuca tonight in the other series involving regional teams. The águilas hold a 4-1 edge.
CONCACAF sends three invitees to Sudamericana, this year the top three finishers in Champions’ Cup.
I’ll take serious thoughts, analysis, excuses, rants, América-Pachuca predictions, Chiverio celebrations or D.C. cries now.