Marquense (GUA) v. Pachuca (MEX) - 7 p.m. (EST) FSC/FSE
1st Leg - 2/22 Pachuca 2-0 Marquense
Pachuca heads to Guatemala coming off a comfortable 2-0 win at home last Thursday, followed up with an exciting 4-3 win over the hapless Tecos in domestic competition on Sunday.
It's hard to pick against Pachuca in this one, as the core of their team has remained intact since last December's stunning victory over Culo Culo in the Copa Sudamericana finals, in which they became the first Mexican team to win a South American title.
Marquense, on the other hand, have opened the Guatemala championship with three straight victories, including last weekend's 1-0 win over Heredia.
Still, with players like Christian Gimenez, Damián Álvarez and Miguel Calero in the net, it's hard to pick against the team that shocked a continent just two months ago.
Picks:
El Güero: Marquense 0-1 Pachuca (Pachuca advances 3-0)
E. Charles Blanco: Marquense 1-1 Pachuca (Pachuca advances 3-1)
Longshoe: Marquense 1-1 Pachuca (Pachuca advances 3-1)
Longshoe: It should be an entertaining one at least, with the home team chasing the series. Pachuca should be up by more, they owned the first leg but just couldn't find the back of the net. I'll go with the home side getting one midway through the first half and battling the rest of the way. Pachuca gets a late goal on a counter to ice it.
Chivas Guadalajara (MEX) v. W Connection (TRI) - 9:30 p.m. (EST) FSC/FSE
1st Leg: W Connection 2-1 Chivas Guadalajara
El Connection pulled the shocker of the four 1st legs, winning 2-1 on the island despite going down a man early when goalkeeper William Oliveria was red-carded in the 18th minute. The Big W also scored two late goals to turn around a 60th minute strike from Mexican international Omar Bravo. In case you haven't seen El Connection's 2nd goal, check it out below. Make sure to watch the replay for the amazing rebona.
Can Los W shock the world again? Doubtful. Highly doubtful. The defending Mexican champions are coming off a great 4-2 win at Necaxa on Saturday, a game in which they looked like contenders for the Clausura title as well.
Plus, Chivas will be playing at home, and we've all seen what can happen at El Jalisco. Just ask Boca Juniors. Plus, D.C. United fans should be pulling for Chivas, as a semifinal matchup at RFK will mean a big game, a big gate and a great tuneup for this summer's SuperLiga.
You shouldn't be asking yourself whether W Connection can pull off the shocker, but rather if CONCACAF will allow Bofo to wear his trademark #100 in the game.
Picks:
El Güero: Chivas 3-0 W Connection (Chivas advance 4-2)
E. Charles Blanco: Chivas 4-0 W Connection (Chivas advance 5-2)
Longshoe: Chivas 3-0 W Connection (Chivas advance 4-2)
Longshoe: As much as I would love to pick the Trinis to pull the upset, I just can't do it. I'll be pulling for them, but Chivas will just be too much for them in the Jalisco. I'm expecting to see ten men in the box for the Dub-C, but they'll need about twenty.
For those interested, we'll be at the Brewhouse playing trivia and watching the games, so come on out!
No comments:
Post a Comment