Pumas UNAM Vs. Isidro Metapan, 2012 CONCACAF Champions League: Can Lester Blanco Rescue Metapan Again?

There aren’t a ton of people outside of El Salvador that know who Lester Blanco is, but the Pumas UNAM fans sure do. That’s because Isidro Metapan’s young striker scored a brace against their beloved Pumas last week, leading Metapan to a 2-1 win in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal tie. Now they’ll have to figure out a way to contain Blanco in the second leg, which won’t be too easy.

The one plus for Pumas is that at least they will get Metapan and Blanco back in Mexico, and to be more specific, at the high altitude of Mexico City. Before the match even kicks off, Pumas will be at an advantage and that they have an away goal already just makes things easier.

Metapan have already been demolished in Mexico once in this competition. When they went to Torreon to play Santos Laguna in the group stage, they walked away 6-0 losers, so they know how tough winning in Mexico is. Doing it against Pumas, with Eduardo Herrera, Martin Bravo and the rest of the squad, just makes things tougher. Metapan don’t really stand much of a chance, but then again, Pumas didn’t look like they stood much of a chance against Blanco last week so maybe he can save them again?

Game Date/Time: Thursday, March 15, 10 p.m. ET

Venue: Estadio Olimpico Universitario, Mexico City, Mexico

TV: Galavision (USA Spanish)