Copa Sudamericana Final 2011, Universidad De Chile Vs. LDU Quito: La U Coasts To Victory

LDU Quito came out with an ambitious lineup on Wednesday night, ready to attack, but they never really had a chance. Universidad de Chile had one hand on the Copa Sudamericana after their 1-0 win in Ecuador last week, and with a strike by Eduardo Vargas in the third minute of the second leg, they all but ended the tie. They went on to add two more goals for good measure, eventually winning 3-0 on the night and 4-0 on aggregate to capture their first ever continental trophy.

Vargas, the tournament’s leading scorer and the target of a number of European giants, was undoubtedly the man of the match. Not only did he score the opener in the 3rd minute, he was instrumental in the setup. Marcelo Diaz started the move out of the back, but Vargas touched the ball on three separate occasions before spraying wide to Matias Rodriguez. He swung in a cross that deflected out to Vargas, who buried a half volley.

Albert Acevedo was the man of the match in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final in Quito, Ecuador, but he’ll be sitting out the second leg in Santiago, Chile. He’s not injured or suspended, he’s just been taken out so Universidad de Chile can play a more attacking side at home against LDU Quito. La U are up 1-0 and they’ve removed the man of the match from the first leg so they can play a more attacking side. Really. Jorge Sampaoli is my favorite. LDU Quito have one minor surprise, with captain Néicer Reasco getting into the team despite some serious fitness concerns. Here are the lineups.

Universidad de Chile Lineup (3-4-3): Herrera; O. González, M. González, Rojas; Rodríguez, Aránguiz, Díaz, Mena; Vargas, Canales, Castro

Universidad de Chile have not been defeated in 34 games. In their run to the Copa Sudamericana Final, they’ve easily defeated Fenix, Nacional, Flamengo, Arsenal di Sarandi and Vasco da Gama. They’ve played derbies against Universidad Catolica and Colo-Colo, as well as a playoff series against Union Española. They’ve come out of all of this unscathed. On Wednesday, LDU Quito will have to do what 22 teams - including themselves - have failed to do this season if they want to win the Copa Sudamericana, and that’s defeat La U.

It’s even more of a tall order than it sounds, especially due to their current circumstances. Liga already lost the first leg of the final 1-0 at home, in Quito, Ecuador. They now travel to Santiago, Chile, where they must defeat the form team in South America on the road. Luis Bolaños has recovered from injury to give them a boost, but they’re without their captain Neicer Reasco.