Monterrey Wins Second Straight Champions League Title
Photo Credit: mlssoccer.com
While it might not have grabbed the headlines the way European clubs Chelsea and Bayern Munich did this week, Monterrey still has a lot to be happy about as they won a second consecutive CONCACAF Champions League title yesterday holding off Herculez Gomez and Santos Laguna by an aggregate score of 3-2. Chilean striker Humberto Suazo scored both goals in the first leg as Monterrey jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Santos battled back in round 2 getting goals from Daniel Ludueña and Oribe Peralta to even things up. In the end it was Argentinian Neri Cardozo who would be the hero for Monterrey as his shot deflected off a defender and into the net for the series winner in the 82nd minute. Monterrey now advances to the Club World Cup in Japan for a second straight year. Monterrey finished 5th in the tournament 2011 losing to Kashiwa Reysol (Japan) on penalties before beating Espérance (Tunisia) 3-2 in the consolation bracket. Monterrey is the first team to clinch a berth in this year's Club World Cup with six open spots remaining. These berths will go to the winners of the 2012 AFC Champions League, 2012 CAF Champions League, 2012 Copa Libertadores, 2011–12 OFC Champions League, 2011–12 UEFA Champions League and the 2012 J. League Division 1.
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