MLS CONCACAF Round-Up: Week 1

All things considered, it was pretty good opening week for Major League Soccer clubs in CONCACAF Champions League play.  I'm sure Real Salt Lake fans would have liked to see a different result in Costa Rica, but both Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders put forth convincing wins on their home grounds.

The league kicked off action Tuesday night with 2010-2011 finalist Real Salt Lake in Costa Rica to take on Herediano, the most recent Costa Rican champions.  Folks were excited because RSL was playing their first choice XI for the first time in awhile.  These guys had only played 59 minutes together all season.  However, RSL lacked an attacking impetus for much of the match and gave up an early goal as Elias Aguilar scored for the home side in minute 14.  Things would get worse for RSL as Nat Borchers was dismissed with a straight red card in the 58th minute, then Jamison Olave went down with a hamstring injury just five minutes later. The Claret and Cobalt gamely hung on though, keeping Herediano out of the net for the last 30 minutes.  That could be huge as goal difference should be major in this tournament.

Canadian Championship side Toronto FC started off their new run Wednesday night at home against CD Aquila.  Last season TFC went to the semi finals, and they started off this campaign by putting the El Salvador side to the sword by a 5-1 score.  TFC recorded the first two strikes of the match, but in the 37th minute Aguila capitalized on a howler by Milos Kocic to make it 2-1.  TFC scored again just three minutes later and the route was back on.  Reggie Lambe scored a brace for the Reds and Luis Silva, Terry Dunfield, and Ryan Johnson all found their way onto the score sheet as well.

Seattle Sounders rounded out the week by hosting Trinidad and Tobago side Caledonia.  They took care of business, slapping a 3-1 win on the visitors.  Seattle got first half goals from Sammy Ochoa, Fredy Montero, and Andy Rose to take a 3-0 lead into the interval.  Caledonia tried to claw their way back into the match in the second half.   Seattle defender Jhon-Kennedy Hurtado conceded a PK in the 50th minute, which the visitors converted.  Caledonia would go on to threaten some more, but in the end Seattle rather easily held serve to claim the win.