Despite a 2-1 victory in Bayamón on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Galaxy were eliminated from CONCACAF Champions League, with the USSF Division II’s Puerto Rico Islanders advancing to group phase. Their 5-3 aggregate win, built on last week’s 4-1 victory at Home Depot Center, sees Puerto Rico join Toluca (Mexico) and Olimpia (Honduras) in Group D, while one of FAS (El Salvador) or Xelajú (Guatemala) will round-out the group.
CONCACAF Champions League: Puerto Rico Islanders Finish-Off Los Angeles Galaxy, Join Marathon And Santos Laguna In Group Phase
What little hope Los Angeles had of pulling-off a miraculous comeback was quelled early, with Puerto Rico forward David Foley beating Donovan Ricketts in the 35th minute to give the Islanders a 5-1 aggregate lead. The Islanders gave a goal back quickly, with Marco Velez credited with Puerto Rico’s second own goal of the tie. The Galaxy was not able to capitalize on their good luck, failing to get on the board again until the 84th minute, with Sean Franklin pulling Los Angeles within two.
The tie would end 5-3 for Puerto Rico, with Los Angeles becoming the only Major League Soccer team eliminated in this year’s preliminary round.
Santos Laguna, Marathón Into Group Stage
For the second night in a row, a Mexican team routed their opposition at home, with Santos Laguna doing their Cruz Azul impression in eliminating Trinidad and Tobago’s San Juan Jabloteh. The 5-0 win for Santos gave them a 6-0 aggregate victory. They move into Group B, joining the Columbus Crew and Municipal (Guatemala), with one of Brujas (Costa Rica) or Joe Public (Trinidad and Tobago) to round out the group tomorrow.
Honduran power Marathón was not as convincing as Santos, losing at home 2-1 to Panama’s Tauro. However, coming into the match up 3-0 after last week’s leg in Panama, Marathón advanced on a 4-2 aggregate. They move into Group C, shaping-up to be the deepest of the four groups, also featuring Monterrey (Mexico), Saprissa (Costa Rica) and Seattle Sounders FC.
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