The final matchday of the group stage is the time to lock up spots in the quarterfinals and that is exactly what the Earthquakes, Sporting and Toluca did. Hello, knockout stages.
CONCACAF Champions League Wednesday wrap: Earthquakes, Sporting, Toluca all advance
The Earthquakes needed a win, and they got it. Sporting needed a draw, and they got it. Toluca just needed to not implode, and they didn’t. The result: they are all quarterfinals-bound.
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Toluca 5-1 Comunicaciones
Comunicaciones had to win by two goals at Toluca to keep the Mexican side from winning Group 6 so, realistically, Wednesday’s contest was a throwaway match. There was no way that the Guatemalan club would upend Toluca or come close, and why they were so overmatched was on display from the opening whistle.
Raul Nava gave Toluca a lead just four minutes in and Edgar Benitez doubled the home side's lead less than 20 minutes later. Jean Marquez did his best to make a match of it by cutting the Toluca advantage to 2-1 on an incredible free kick from 25 yards, but it wasn't nearly enough. Erbin Trejo restored Toluca's two-goal lead before Benitez and Nava each registered braces to wrap up a dominating win that really could have been a six or seven goal victory.
Sporting Kansas City 0-0 Olimpia
Heredia 0-0 San Jose Earthquakes
CD Victoria 1-4 L.A. Firpo
In a match of absolutely no importance, L.A. Firpo got a bit of pride. Both Victoria and Firpo had already been eliminated from the competition, but the schedule required they play so they did. Well, at least Firpo did, for a half. They put four past John Bodden in the second 45 minutes and cruised to a 4-1 win that gives them at least one bright memory in an otherwise forgettable Champions League campaign.
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