Pachuca nips MLS' Dynamo in SuperLiga semifinal

HOUSTON, Texas (Reuters) -- Rafael Marquez Lugo scored the deciding shootout goal to give Mexican champion Pachuca a 3-2 win over MLS champion Houston Dynamo in a Superliga semifinal.

Pachuca advanced to face the winner of Wednesday's semi between D.C. United and the L.A. Galaxy, with England star David Beckham expected to play extended minutes for the host club despite a nagging left ankle injury.

The first miss of Tuesday's shootout came when Houston's Brian Ching clanged a shot off the left post, leaving the shootout level 3-3.

Pachuca's Damian Alvarez and Houston's Joseph Ngwenya each had subsequent shots saved, leaving the score level before Lugo blasted home the winner.

Dwayne De Rosario struck first the the Dynamo in the fourth minute but Houston was undone in the 13th minute when Patrick Ianni was ejected for a foul that denied a goal-scoring opportunity.

Pachuca took advantage on Juan Cacho's equalizer in the 28th minute and Andres Chitiva put the Mexicans ahead in the 62nd minute.

But 10-man Dynamo had life yet, Eddie Robinson finding the net with the equalizer in the 83rd minute to set the stage for extra time.

Chitiva, who had received a yellow card in the 82nd minute, was whistled for a second caution and ejected in the 85th minute, equalizing the sides as well as the score as extra time dawned.

Houston went a man down once more in the 102nd minute when Corey Ashe was ejected for violent conduct, but two 15-minute overtimes ended scoreless, setting up the penalty kick shootout drama.

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