Houston Advances To Final Eight

The Houston Dynamo became the only Major League Soccer team to reach the Knockout Round of the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday night, advancing after a 1-0 victory over El Salvadorian club CD Luis Angel Firpo at Robertson Stadium.

Knowing that anything less than a win would see them eliminated and Firpo advance in their place, the Dynamo came out firing and got the game’s only goal in the 13th minute when U.S. forward Brian Ching headed home a corner kick from Dwayne De Rosario. Goalkeeper Pat Onstad made five saves on the other end to make the goal stand up, while Eddie Robinson (straight red) and Firpo’s Carlos Calderon (second yellow) were both sent off late in the match.

With the victory, Houston assumes the last spot in the final eight, joining CD Marathon (Honduras), Cruz Azul (Mexico), Pumas UNAM (Mexico), Atlante (Mexico), the Montreal Impact (Canada), Santos Laguna (Mexico), and the Puerto Rico Islanders (Puerto Rico). The draw for the Knockout Rounds will be held on December 10th, with each series being played over two legs.

Remaining schedule
12.10.08: Draw for Knockout Rounds
02.24.09 – 02.26.09: Quarterfinals (first leg)
03.03.09 – 03.05.09: Quarterfinals (second leg)
03.17.09 – 03.19.09: Semifinals (first leg)
04.07.09 – 04.09.09: Semifinals (second leg)
04.21.09 – 04.23.09: Finals (first leg)
04.28.09 – 04.30.09: Finals (second leg)