Mexican club Pachuca reached the CONCACAF Champions League
semifinals with a 2-1 win over nine-man Comunicaciones of Guatemala
on Tuesday.
Pachuca drew the away leg in Guatemala 1-1 and advanced 3-2
on aggregate.
The game was scoreless early in the second half when referee
Terry Vaughn sent off Carlos Gallardo and Freddy Thompson on red
cards in the span of two minutes.
Pachuca took advantage, going ahead 1-0 in the 72nd minute on
Paul Aguilar's goal. But Rolando Fonseca equalized on a penalty to
give the Guatemalans hope.
Luis Montes snuffed out the challenge with the winner in the
88th.
Three other Mexican clubs play the return legs of
quarterfinals this week with the possibility of an all-Mexico final
four.
U.S. club Columbus Drew takes a 2-2 first-leg score into
Wednesday's second leg in Toluca. Also on Wednesday, Mexico's Cruz
Azul plays at home after a 1-0 away win over Arabe Unido of Panama.
On Thursday, Marathon of Honduras comes to Mexico City's
Pumas leading 2-0 from the first leg.
In the semifinals, the Columbus Crew-Toluca winner faces
Pachuca. Marathon or Pumas will face Arabe Unido or Cruz Azul.
