DC United, America head to Costa Rica

America visit Deportivo Saprissa in the CONCACAF Champions League as DC United meet Alajuelense.

DC United are targeting a positive result at Alajuelense in their CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final first leg, while America are also heading to Costa Rica.

Ben Olsen’s DC are still in pre-season, with their MLS campaign not kicking off until early March.

But they must find some rhythm and form quickly as they prepare for a meeting with Alajuelense at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto.

DC attacker Fabian Espindola said his team needed to recover physically as they aim to start the tie well.

“We need to get some good rest and know that we have to go there and do our good job,” he told the club’s website.

Pachuca reel in Montreal

Montreal Impact threw away a two-goal lead in their CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final first leg at Pachuca.

A brace from Dilly Duka was not enough for Montreal Impact on Tuesday as the MLS club gave up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Pachuca in Mexico in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Montreal were cruising after 52 minutes with left-winger Duka having struck either side of half-time but the Impact could not hold on for a famous win, as Heriberto Olvera and Ariel Nahuelpan levelled the tie ahead of next week’s second leg in Canada.

The Impact are in their maiden Champions League campaign and have never before won a competitive fixture in Mexico – the graveyard of many MLS clubs.

Deportivo Saprissa 0 America 3: Visitors win with late blitz

Two substitutes ensured America won 3-0 at Deportivo Saprissa in the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday.

A late blitz saw America triumph 3-0 away to Deportivo Saprissa in the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.

Substitutes Pablo Aguilar and Oribe Peralta scored three times in the final 12 minutes to effectively send America into the semi-finals, with Deportivo Saprissa needing to win by at least three goals in Mexico to overhaul their opponents.