D.C. United Faces Chivas Guadalajara in Second Leg of Copa Sudamericana

In case you missed it last week (like I did), D.C. United is currently playing in the Copa Nissan Sudamericana, and they're not doing too badly. Last week in the opening leg of their Round of 16 tie against Chivas Guadalajara, defender Marc Burch was sent off in the first half, and D.C. still managed to take a 2-1 lead in the home-and-home series.

Started in 2002, the Copa Sudamericana is to the Copa Libertadores, the top club tournament in South America, as the UEFA Cup is to the UEFA Champions League, in that it's a secondary tournament for CONMEBOL clubs. In much the same way that Copa Libertadores invites Mexican clubs, Copa Sudamericana it includes members of CONCACAF in its draw. D.C. United qualified as the third-place finisher in the CONCACAF Champions Cup behind winner Pachuca and runner-up Chivas.

The first leg of this series was played in Washington, so D.C. United plays the second leg tonight in Mexico. Last March in the Champions Cup semifinals, D.C. faltered when they played in Guadalajara, so revenge might be on their minds tonight. As our friends at Goal remind us, though, D.C. United may be more equipped to handle a hostile soccer environment, just because the atmosphere at their home matches prepares them for it, and because the club expects to compete in international tournaments. It's certainly helped their domestic form; D.C. United is in first place in MLS, four points ahead of the New England Revolution.

If you want to watch this Copa Sudamericana match, it will be on Fox Soccer Channel tonight at 11:00 PM eastern time. The winner will face Arsenal Fútbol Club of Argentina in the quarterfinals.