D.C. United through to CONCACAF Champions League knockout stage
WASHINGTON (AP) — Chris Pontius and Eddie Johnson helped D.C. United secure a spot in the second round of the CONCACAF Champions League, scoring in a 2-0 victory over Panama's Tauro on Wednesday night.
Pontius, back from a long-term injury layoff, headed home a cross from new signing Samuel Inkoom, to open the scoring in the 48th minute. Johnson, returning from a concussion layoff, tallied an insurance strike five minutes later for the leading team in the MLS Eastern Conference.
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United is 3-0-0 in Group 4 play. It will finish group play at Tauro (0-3-0) on Oct. 21.
Only the winner in each three-team group advances to the second round. Jamaica's Waterhouse finished group play at 2-2-0. Seeding in the quarterfinals is based on group records and goal differential, so United's final match against Tauro maintains significance.
No MLS team has won the CONCACAF Champions League under its current format.
In other Wednesday CCL action:
FAS 0, RED BULLS 0
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — The New York Red Bulls dropped out of contention in the CONCACAF Champions League, tying CD FAS 0-0 on Wednesday night in Group 3 play.
New York, which fielded a second-choice squad, is 1-1-1 with a game left against group leader Montreal (3-0-0) on Oct. 22 at Red Bull Arena. FAS is 0-3-1.
