In Chivas USA’s first-ever official game outside of the United States in an international tournament, the Red-and-White fell 2-0 against Panama’s Tauro F.C., in a CONCACAF Champions League match tonight at Estadio Rod Carew in Panama City, Panama.The 24-team Champions League opened today its Preliminary Round, by starting a home-and-home series. The winner between the Chivas USA and Tauro series advances to the Group Stage. The two teams will face off on September 2 in the second leg of the match at the Home Depot Center in Carson with the winner advancing to the league's Group D, that includes Santos Laguna of Mexico, Municipal of Guatemala, and the winner of the Preliminary Round matchup between LD Alajuelense of Costa Rica and the Puerto Rico Islanders of the USL First Division.
Tauro’s Edwin Aguilar scored the first goal of the match at the 7th minute to give his team the lead at half-time, Aguilar, who also plays for Panama’s National Team, added his second goal in the 67th minute on a pass from Luis Fernando Escobar.
The decisive return leg between Chivas USA and Tauro F.C. will be played on Tuesday at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., at 7:00 p.m. PT. Parking is free for the game, and tickets, starting at just $15, can be purchased by calling 1-877-CHIVAS-1.
Chivas USA needs to win by a score of 3-0 in the second leg of the match in Los Angeles to secure a spot in CONCACAF Champions League’s Group Stage.
According to CONCACAF’s rules of the tournament, in the event the two teams are tied on aggregate score at the end of the second leg match, the away-goals scenario (excluding any goals scored in overtime) will determine the winner of the series, meaning that if Tauro F.C. scores a goal or more at the Home Depot Center, Chivas USA will have to win by a three-goal differential. If Chivas USA wins by 2-0, the match will go to extra-time. If the tie remains, the team with the greater number of goals scored in the overtime periods at the end of the second match will advance. If the tie still remains, kicks from the penalty spot procedure will determine the winner.Chivas USA Head Coach Preki, on Tuesday night's match: “We didn’t come out the way we wanted to come out from the locker room. We fell quickly behind at the 7th minute. It was difficult for us, we were caught by surprise and we were 2-0 behind. We created one or two opportunities with Atiba Harris… if he scores, it was going to be another game but we don’t score and we go to half-time 1-0 down. At the second time, I tried to push the tempo a little bit, we made one mistake and we got punished. We are still not out of it, hopefully we can get together and may be get two or three [players] back.”
The Red-and-White will face MLS side Toronto FC at The Home Depot Center on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 7:30 p.m. PT. Carlos ‘El Pescado’ Ruiz and Honduras captain and former Chivas USA player Amado ‘El Lobo’ Guevara of Toronto FC return to Los Angeles in a crucial match against Chivas USA. The game is also Chivas USA’s ‘Kids Day Out’, with fans receiving free Rally Towels courtesy of Gatorade, and chances to participate in a number of special activities throughout the game (information below). For tickets to the match, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1, or visit http://www.cdchivasusa.com/.
PHOTOS: MI DIARIO - PANAMÁ
