Half Time: Santos Laguna at Chivas USA

Lots of shots on goal from the two teams (a dozen), but only three from Santos Laguna on target so the score is 0-0 after the opening 45 minutes.

The Mexican champions have looked fast and smooth when they transition into attack and gave some idea of their potency with a goal only 60 seconds or so into the game that was called back for offside.

Santos broke quickly in the 12th minute too, Christian Benitez geting behind the defense, rounding goalkeeper Dan Kennedy – and then hitting the bar instead of the open net from eight yards.

Chivas USA have looked considerably less dangerous, frankly.

Their most lively attack in the 23rd minute saw Sacha Kljestan intelligently spray the ball wide to Jonathan Bornstein. Debutante Roberto Nurse completely whiffed on his cross though and hasn’t shown much else.

Quite a few Santos fans here tonight – lots more than Pachuca drew on the weekend – and they’re often overwhelming the home fans in terms of noise.

New England beat Pachuca 1-0 in the early game, by the way, going through to the next round and doing Chivas USA a huge favor, who play the Revolution Sunday.

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About Nick Green

South Bay-based Los Angeles News Group soccer columnist and blogger Nick Green writes at the 100 Percent Soccer blog at www.insidesocal.com/soccer and craft beer at the Beer Goggles blog at www.insidesocal.com/beer. Cheers!