D.C. United, Necaxa Join Chicago Fire and Alajuela in 1999 CONCACAF Champions' Cup Semifinals
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (Tuesday, September 29, 1999) - The 1999 CONCACAF Champions' Cup semifinal field was finalized this evening in Las Vegas, with MLS club D.C. United and Mexican side Necaxa winning their matches against Olimpia (Honduras) and Saprissa (Costa Rica), respectively.
Sep. 29, 1999
Bolivian international Jaime Moreno scored the game-winner for D.C. United in the opener, taking a cross from substitute Carey Talley and one-timing a right-footed shot past Olimpia 'keeper Carlos Prono from close range for the game's only goal.
United had the better of the chances in the match, but Olimpia nearly scored the equalizer after an unbelievable sequence of events closed out the match.
After one minute of injury time, D.C. 'keeper Tom Presthus was whistled for a foul inside the penalty area. With only seconds left in the match, Olimpia defender Arnold Cruz stepped up to attempt the penalty kick to tie the match. Presthus, who earlier this year earned his first appearance for the U.S. National Team, dove to his right to make a spectacular save on Cruz' effort.
In the second match of the doubleheader, Mexico's Necaxa defeated Costa Rican side Saprissa, 3-2, with Agustin Delgado leading the charge with a pair of goals, and Edgar David Oliva registering two assists.
Tonight's winners join the Chicago Fire (USA) and Alajuela (Costa Rica) in the semifinals of the tournament, which will be played at Sam Boyd Stadium on Friday evening.
The remaining four matches of the 1999 Champions' Cup will be televised live in the United States on Fox Sports World and Fox Sports Espanol.
| 1999 CONCACAF Champions' Cup Sam Boyd Stadium * Las Vegas, Nevada | ||
| Tuesday, Sept. 28 | ||
| Game #1 | Chicago Fire (USA) vs. Joe Public (Trinidad & Tobago) | Chicago Fire 2, Joe Public 0 |
| Game #2 | Toluca (Mexico) vs. Alajuela (Costa Rica) | Alajuela 1, Toluca 0 |
| Wednesday, Sept. 29 | ||
| Game #1 | DC United (USA) vs. Olimpia (Honduras) | D.C. United 1, Olimpia 0 |
| Game #2 | Necaxa (Mexico) vs. Saprissa (Costa Rica) | Necaxa 3, Saprissa 2 |
| Friday, October 1 | ||
| Game #1 | Chicago Fire (USA) vs. Alajuela (Costa Rica) | 6:00 pm (PT) |
| Game #2 | DC United (USA) vs. Necaxa (Mexico) | 8:00 pm (PT) |
| Sunday, October 3 | ||
| Game #1 | Third-place game (Friday's losers) | 2:00 pm (PT) |
| Game #2 | Championship game (Friday's winners) | 4:00 pm (PT) |
