LDU: 2 big trophies, 1 uninspiring team crest

I never really liked the two-legged final concept, especially as applied to soccer. It’s a bit silly; why use an extra game to prove what the first game, and, in theory, all those regular season games before it, should have confirmed? The best team would theoretically prevail, though there are the occasional exceptions (LFC over AC Milan, admittedly; they should have sewn that game up even after our miraculous minutes in the 2nd half).

And then there’s the obvious incongruence; how can anything be final if there are two of them? Two finals? But hey, it’s all quite explainable under our favourite tag/mantra/heading: South American Soccer is Crazy. It’s the best, cheapest, quickest and simplest way to bring order to that chaotic soccer continent.

Like last night’s Copasudamericana final, pt. 2, for example. LDU de Quito from Ecuador. Fluminense from Brazil.

SPOILER ALERT: the team that won 3-0 still lost on aggregate.
Last week, Ecuador’s LDU de Quito blew Brazilian side Fluminense out of the water to the tune of 5-1, a wonderful attacking display. Well, it was more like a wonderful display of insane long-distance goals, but hey, who’s counting? And to think the Brazilians even scored first. Oof.

Cut to last night, and who could blame them for easing their foot off the gas somewhat? After all, only the West Hams and Manchester Citehs of this world are capable of fumbling away such advantages. The Brazilians gave it their best effort, winning 3-0 and narrowly missing out on penalties and/or added time (I always forget; do they play extra time in this tournament?). And of course, because this is South American soccer, both sides ended the game with 10 men.

And so, LDU de Quito lift another cup (they beat the same club for 2008’s Copa Libertadores), and we ponder once again just why this thing is two-legged. Congratulations to them, and jesus-lord-can-it-please-just-be-the-World-Cup-already.