Match Thread: CONCACAF League - Round of 16 - Leg 1: Pacific v CS Herediano (Costa Rica) - August 16, 2022

[narduch]

Game is at 7pm PT (10pm ET) on One Soccer.

Herediano are the 2018 Concacaf League winners. They are off to a strong start in their domestic league with 5 wins and 1 draw.

They did not take part in 2021 and were eliminated in 2020 in the Round of 16 by Real Esteli (Nicarauga).

Pacific will be without their leading score, Diaz, who was transferred to Sognal of Norway last week. Diaz is currently the CL scoring leader.

The ref is from Puerto Rico:

 

Edited August 15, 2022 by narduch

[Raven]

Hello!

I have 2 tickets for this game. I am away and won't be able to attend.

PM me if anyone is interested

[Aird25]

I really wish we had Diaz for this match, but I'm definitely looking forward to this one.

[SpursFlu]

Their top young players just signed with Sunderland. Did Pacific catch a break?

[Ftduck]

Enjoy this one PFC faithful! It's a totally different level!

[Aird25]

30 minutes ago, SpursFlu said:

Their top young players just signed with Sunderland. Did Pacific catch a break?

Who?

[narduch]

2 minutes ago, Aird25 said:

Who?

 

 

[narduch]

He's actually listed a with the team that traveled to Canada though. 

 

 

[SpursFlu]

Concacaf Fever!

Edited August 16, 2022 by SpursFlu

[narduch]

[narduch]

[Unnamed Trialist]

So the player for Herediano signed to Sunderland appears on the team travel list for this match, but then is not starting and not amongst the subs for the match itself.

Hope Pacific manages the game well, that they don't get on the back foot and can take a result back to Costa Rica. 

[Cheeta]

Dada-Luke down a long time there.

 

[Cheeta]

Was just at the point of posting that the rather physical nature of some of Pacific's defending is going to get them into card trouble, and well, out came the card.

Pacific might punch one yet.

Edited August 17, 2022 by Cheeta

[narduch]

Scoreless at the half.

Herediano had more possession but Pacific had the better chances

[Unnamed Trialist]

That was an interesting half and a lot of maturity from Pacific. It was fairly equal though with more Herediano midfield possession. They started to push and Pacific was fouling a bit more, though far from goal. No great rival chances, but a sense they were pressuring. 

Then late 1st half Pacific sliced through a few times, showed pace, and had some close one. You could see Bustos turning it on. Hell, if Díaz is going to get a transfer out, why not a good performance here for Bustos to get offers to go to a stronger league? Let that be a motivation, perfectly fair, it is everywhere else. 

Also: if Pacific plays to its strengths it will help a lot, and one of those is aerial play. 

[Cheeta]

Bustos you thug!

[Unnamed Trialist]

Pacific today is a very well coached team, you can see the positional work, the patience, interesting nuances with how the CBs and mids work. They are breaking down little details of the opponent's game plan and using them to advantage.

Min 65 almost and while I am sure Herediano will push and try win, they don't seem to be on the front foot and their heads are a bit down.

Real concern is the constant gamesmanship and exagerrations, too many of which the ref has bought.

[narduch]

4,687 attendance 

[Cheeta]

LOL.  O-kay...

Away goal.  Bugger.

[narduch]

Herediano score 

[Unnamed Trialist]

I don't think Pacific deserve to lose, but you have to expect these little bursts of quality from stronger rivals. Pacific had a chance to clear that, they were a bit sloppy coming out and paid for it.

They've probably outplayed Herediano, or at least matched them.

If someone wants to argue having a striker like Wero would have made a difference, that would be fair.

[Cheeta]

Could have gone either way.  Pity for Pacific it didn't go theirs.  Going to be a tough ask getting the result down south.  

Great crowd, less than great match.  Bit of cat and mouse for much of it but thinking Herediano feeling fortunate to come away the victors.  More than a bit fortunate.

 

[Ozzie_the_parrot]

Probably have to click through to youtube to view the highlights clip:

 

[Aird25]

That’s a tough pill to swallow. We fought hard but conceded a bad goal and lacked a difference maker up top. I’m still scratching my head about selling Diaz right before our most important stretch of games. We’ll be in tough in Costa Rica, and closing out the season 

Edited August 17, 2022 by Aird25