MLS struck a heavy blow for league credibility as both the Houston Dynamo and DC United advanced to the semi-finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup. DC United started off a spectacular Thursday night for the league winning in heavy Washington DC rain 3-2 to advance 7-3 on aggregate over Olimpia of Honduras.
Former Olimpia player Luciano Emilio a Brazilian scored twice while last years MLS league MVP hit from the penalty spot after Ben Olsen was brought down.
Meanwhile on the campus of Texas AM University at the Aggie Soccer Complex the Houston Dynamo got a 2-0 victory through goals from Paul Dalglish and Kelly Gray.
With the aggregate tied at 1-1 Houston goalkeeper Zach Wells came up with a huge save in the 68th minute, minutes later after striker Brian Ching came on for the Houston Dynamo his flicked on header was saved but Gray pounced on the rebound to provide the difference. The Dynamo win proved to be the first time an MLS team eliminated a Costa Rican team in the competition.
The Houston Dynamo now will take on Pachuca of Mexico the current Copa Sudamerica Champions and DC United will take on Chivas in what prove to be intriguing semi-finals.
Credibility earned for MLS now the competition is elevated with Pachuca and Chivas.
Who was your man of the match? email me at GlennDavis@thesoccerhour.com

Catch the Houston Dynamo tonite on the Fox Soccer Channel at 8pm in the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup.
The Dynamo take on Puntarenas of Cost Rica and trial 1-0 on aggregate. The winner advances to take on Pachuca of Mexico in the semi-finals of the tournament that ultimately sends a representative from Concacaf to the World Club Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
DC United holding a 4-1 aggregate lead plays Olimpia of Honduras at 6 pm from RFK Stadium also available on Fox Soccer Channel.