Houston scored first and last in regulation, but Pachuca were better in the spot-kick shootout that decided the first semi-final winner in Superliga 2007.

The match saw three ejections, one in each of the first three periods and two goals on either side of halftime, followed by two scoreless extra periods leaving the game knotted at 2-2 after 120 minutes of action.

Patrick Ianni was ejected early on in the first half, Andres Chitiva in the second and Corey Ashe in the first overtime before the match went to free shots on goal to decide the game.

Both sides converted their first three spot kicks, but Houston forward Brian Ching was stoned by the left side post only to be saved by Pat Onstad, who saved Damian Alvarez' ensuing try.

Rafael Marquez Lugo followed Joseph Ngwenya's weak chip attempt with a perfectly placed shot in the left upper-90 to give the visitors the win.

Dwayne De Rosario opened the scoring in just the 4th minute off of an assist from Brian Mullan who fed the Canadian the penalty area to beat Miguel Calero for 1-0.

Ianni made matters difficult for Houston when he was ejected for preventing a scoring opportunity in the 13th.

Pachuca leveled the terms in the 28th behind a goal from Juan Cacho who was able beat Onstad inside the penalty area off of the assist from Carlos Rodriguez.

Pachuca came out well organized in the 2nd half and over the first 15 minutes was able to consistently get in behind the Houston back line.

Gabriel Caballero, the midfield engine for Pachuca, slipped a pass in for Christian Gimenez behind the backline of Houston in the 47th, but Alvarez could only hit the side netting.

Fernando Salazar had to make a huge tackle on Ngwenya, who had broken free off of a long pass down the right side just three minutes later, but aside from the brief foray, Pachuca kept Houston under pressure.

Houston continued to weather the storm, and once again came back with a counter attack opportunity when Brian Ching latched on to a ball from DeRosario. Ching had a great idea to try and switch fields but Rodriguez was able to break up the play but unable to clear with a header.

Ngwenya was able to pick up possession deep in the left flank and put a strong shot on target, but right at keeper Miguel Calero.

Caballero found Alvarez down the left line but Eddie Robinson cleared for a corner. Cacho headed just wide on the ensuing cross from Alvarez.

Pachuca finally broke through in the 62nd when second half sub Andres Chitiva put the visitors on top with a brilliantly taken shot.

Joseph Ngwenya made a poor clearance under pressure with Chitiva standing just near the edge of the area. One turn and the forward whipped a skipping ball pass Onstad, beating the Houston keeper to the right inside post.

Eddie Robison brought the stadium to life when he evened the score back up after beating Rodriguez to a set ball delivered by Richard Mulrooney from 45 yards. Robinson rose up to meet the cross and redirected down and to the right of to bring the score to 2-2.

Chitiva was sent off in the 85th when he earned his second yellow card of the night for simulation, trying to earn a free kick just outside of the area, and both teams went without chances to leave the game tied at the end of regulation.

Luis Gabriel Rey just missed putting Pachuca up once again in the 96th when his free kick from 22 yards curled over the wall but just wide left of the cage.

Corey Ashe, brought on for his fresh legs, unexplainably kicked out at Jaime Correa after going down on the sideline, leaving referee Ricardo Salazar no choice but to bring Houston to nine men.

In the opening minutes of the second extra time, Ching found himself onside and behind the Pachuca defense, but waited maybe a step too long allowing Marvin Cabrera to cut down the angle and Ching's shot from 20 yards out was nicely saved by Calero, who also smothered the rebound.

Alvarez was lucky not to be the fourth ejection as time ran out in the waning moments of the second extra time when he lashed out at Brian Mullan as time ran out and the game was sent to free kicks.

Scoring
HOU - Dwayne De Rosario (Brian Mullan) 4'
PAC - Juan Cacho (Carlos Rodriguez) 28'
PAC - Andres Chitiva 62'
HOU - Eddie Robinson (Richard Mulrooney) 83'

Spot kick shootout

Line-ups
HOU - Pat Onstad; Eddie Robinson, Patrick Ianni, Brian Mullan, Dwayne De Rosario (Corey Ashe 79'), Craig Waibel, Nate Jaqua (Chris Wondolowski 91'), Wade Barrett, Brian Ching, Richard Mulrooney, Joseph Ngwenya

PAC - Miguel Calero; Leobardo Lopez, Jaime Correa, Damian Alvarez, Gabriel Caballero, Juan Cacho (Rafael Marquez Lugo 73'), Fernando Salazar, Marvin Cabrera, Carlos Rodriguez, Christian Gimenez (Luis Gabriel Rey 80'), Fausto Pinto (Andres Chitiva 46')