Apparently, there’s no time to waste when it comes to starting the 2009 soccer calendar.
So starting today, the first major North American soccer competition of the new year kicks off with InterLiga 2009 at Pizza Hut Park.Now in its sixth year, InterLiga again sends the top two teams out of eight elite Mexican soccer clubs to the South American club championships — The Copa Libertadores.A quick breakdown of the four clubs (Group A) in tonight’s doubleheader:Game 1 Toluca vs. Morelia, 7 p.m.TolucaNickname: Los Diablos Rojos (The Red Devils)Founded: 1917Key player: Goalkeeper Hernan CristanteNotable: Toluca won Mexico’s winter 2008 season in December by defeating Cruz Azul in the final.MoreliaNickname: Monarcas (Monarchs)Founded: 1924Key player: Forward Andres MendozaNotable: Forward Miguel Sabah scored 42 goals for Cruz Azul in the past three years, but now joins Morelia for InterLiga and the upcoming spring season.Game 2 UAG vs. Pachuca, 9:30 p.m.UA de GuadalajaraNickname: Tecos (Owls)Founded: 1935Key player: Midfielder Jorge Zamogilny Notable: UAG is based in Guadalajara, but remains far less popular than fellow Guadalajara club Chivas, making Tecos the Los Angeles Clippers of Mexican soccer.PachucaNickname: Tuzos (Gophers)Founded: 1901Key player: Goalkeeper Miguel CaleroNotable: Panama forward Blas Pérez finds himself with a new club by joining Pachuca in time for InterLiga after playing for Tigres last season.
What to know InterLiga 2009: Eight teams from Mexico’s top division compete for a pair of berths into the South American club championships — the Copa Libertadores. The tournament is three match days of round-robin group play before the group winners play the runners-up from the other group to determine the two Libertadores berths. TV: Fox Sports Espanol Finals: Jan. 11 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.Opening round venue: Pizza Hut Park, FriscoTickets: 888-323-4625, Ticketmaster or FC Dallas tiendasUp next at Pizza Hut Park: Tuesday, Group B matches — Tigres vs. Club America, 7 p.m.; Chivas-Guadalajara vs. Atlas, 9:30 p.m.
