[CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP] MLS champion Houston Dynamo settled for a scoreless tie against Saprissa in front of 10,260 fans at Robertson Stadium in Texas despite out-shooting the Costa Rican club 17-8. They meet in the second leg of the semifinal series next Wednesday in Costa Rica.
Saprissa’s aim was better, forcing Pat Onstad to make seven saves while Saprissa keeper Keilor Navas made four saves.
Brian Ching, Ricardo Clark and Dwayne De Rosario shot and headed wide or high. Corey Ashe hit the outside post. Franco Caraccio was twice denied by Navas.
The most spectacular miss was a diving header by Ching that flew over the crossbar.
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP, semifinal, first leg
April 2 in Houston
Houston Dynamo 0 Saprissa 0
Houston Dynamo — Pat Onstad, Bobby Boswell, Eddie Robinson, Wade Barrett, Patrick Ianni, Richard Mulrooney (Geoff Cameron 75), Ricardo Clark, Dwayne De Rosario, Corey Ashe, Brian Ching, Franco Caraccio (Chris Wondolowski 80).
Deportivo Saprissa — Keilor Navas, Gabriel Badilla (Bryan Jimenez 75), Jervis Drummond, Victor Cordero, Try Bennett, Andres Nunez, Armando Alonso (Michael Barrantes 81), Celso Borges, Jose Luis Lopez, Jairo Arrieta (Cezar Elizondo 63), Ronald Gomez.
Referee: Courtney Campbell
Attendance: 10,260