HEREDIA, Costa Rica -- Javier Orozco scored three goals to lead Cruz Azul of Mexico to a 6-2 victory over 10-man Herediano of Costa Rica on Thursday in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary Round series.

Alejandro Vela gave Cruz Azul the lead in the second minute, tapping in a cross at the right post after a Cristian Riveros cross sailed over Herediano goalkeeper Adrian de Lemos.

Herediano played nearly the entire second half down a man after Eduardo Gomez was sent off with a red card in the 48th minute.
Orozco , who lead the Champions League last year with seven goals, scored his first goal of the night two minutes later when he settled a pass from Vela and lifted his shot over De Lemos. Seven minutes later Orozco gave Cruz Azul a 3-0 lead when he placed his shot in the lower left corner.

Andy Herron cut the lead to two goals a minute later, volleying a long ball and beating goalkeeper Yosgart Gutierrez with a low shot to the right corner.

The match featured several players from both teams who played in the Gold Cup semifinal last week Mexico won on penalty kicks. What was built up as somewhat of a redemption chance for the Costa Rican side turned out to be another triumph for the Mexicans.

Cruz Azul, which lost last season's finals to Atlante in May, never let up throughout the match. In the 70th minute, Emmanuel Villa headed in a cross by Jamie Lozano to put the Mexican squad up 4-1.

Orozco added his third goal and Champions League leading 10th overall in the 74th minute, all but assuring a berth in the Group Stage of the competition. The winner on aggregate will advance to join the USA's Columbus Crew, Saprissa of Costa Rica and either Toronto FC or the Puerto Rico Islanders in Group C.

Cristhian Montero cut the lead to 5-2 when he placed a deflected cross from Christhian Blanco past Cruz Azul keeper Jose Corona.

Pablo Zeballos completed the scoring in the 88th minute, finishing a final counter.

The two teams meet again on Wednesday in Mexico City.