Monterrey takes lead in CONCACAF Champions League final
Posted on 18 April 2012 in FIFA Club World Cup
The all-Mexican CONCACAF Champions League final is underway after host Monterrey won 2:0 over Santos Laguna on Wednesday 18 April 2012. The 2011-12 final features two North Mexican clubs, with Santos Laguna having reached the final after knocking off Canada's Toronto FC in the semi-final phase. Monterrey, who knocked off Pumas in its semi-final series, is looking for a second consecutive CONCACAF Champions League final after winning the 2010-11 edition over Real Salt Lake.
Moterrey's Humberto Suazo scored goals in the 60th and 86th minutes at the Estadio Tecnológico in Monterrey, Mexico. It was the 30-year old Chilean striker's sixth and seventh goals of the tournament. His second goal in particular marked a terrific solo effort as he went past four Santos Laguna defenders before firing his low shot on goal past goalkeeper Oswaldo Sánchez.
The return leg of the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League final will be played on Wednesday 25 April 2012 at the Estadio Nuevo Corona in Torreón, Mexico. The match will kick off at 19.00 local (20.00 ET / 17.00 PT) with a live broadcast on CONCACAF TV. The CONCACAF Champions League winner will qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2012.
This CONCACAF Champions League season, Canadian entry Toronto FC reached the semi-final phase before losing to Santos Laguna in the final half of the two-leg series. After a 1:1 draw in Toronto, the two sides were even 2-2 after 45 minutes in Torreón, Mexico. Santos Laguna then scored four goals in the second half, including two on penalties.
Canada's 2012-13 CONCACAF Champions League entry will be determined this May when Vancouver Whitecaps FC, FC Edmonton, Toronto FC and Impact Montréal compete in the 2012 Amway Canadian Championship. The two semi-final legs (Edmonton v Vancouver and Montréal v Toronto) will be played on 2 and 9 May while the two championship legs will be played 16 and 23 May.
