By Dylan Butler

Toluca is on the verge of joining Cruz Azul in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals - and it may not have to do anything to get there.

The Diablos Rojos prepared for Thursday's scheduled Group B meeting against Marathon in San Pedro Sula by beating La Maquina at Estadio Azul in the Mexican Apertura on Saturday.

But if D.C. United doesn't beat San Juan Jabloteh on Wednesday in Washington, Toluca's game will merely be a formality. Even with a D.C. win, all Toluca needs is a draw against Marathon.

Toluca's victory over Cruz Azul, in which both teams finished with 10 men, extended its winning streak to six games in all competitions and gave it the overall lead in the Mexican Apertura.

"It was an important triumph," Duenas said. "They made things complicated, but we were able to react to get the win. We keep on setting the pace in the league and that's important. First place is a reward for all of the hard work."

Marathon, meanwhile, remained in the United States following a 3-0 drubbing by D.C. United on Thursday. With flights into Honduras postponed and the Honduran Apertura suspended amid political turmoil due to the return of deposed President Manuel Zelaya to Tegucigalpa, the plan was for Marathon to rest and relax and await word about returning to San Pedro Sula.

"Yes it's true that we have had some letdowns," Marathon midfielder Mariano Acevedo said. "We are still in the tournament, but we have to find a way to advance past D.C. United."

D.C. United and Marathon are both six points behind Toluca, but the U.S. side has the advantage on goal difference with two games remaining. It could also have an advantage of facing a Jabloteh side already demoralized from having been virtually eliminated from contention with four losses in as many games.
It also was ousted from Trinidad's First Citizens Cup, losing to Joe Public 2-0 on Friday night at Marvin Lee Stadium.

D.C., which is also fighting for a berth in the MLS Cup playoffs, lost 2-1 to the San Jose Earthquakes Sunday afternoon at home.

Jaime Moreno put D.C. in front on 26 minutes, but the Quakes scored twice in the final 32 minutes for their first three points away from home this season.

Moreno is suspended for Tuesday's match after picking up a red card following a late skirmish.

"We've put ourselves in a bad spot by slipping two home games," D.C. coach Tommy Soehn said. "We've talked about this home stretch but talking about it means nothing if you don't finish through and get your points. So we've let ourselves down and we've got to find a way out of it."