RICHARDSON – With an 0-2 record in the first round, Santos Laguna will need some help to advance to the SuperLiga semifinals.

Santos, the Mexican League champion, faces CONCACAF Champions Cup winner Pachuca today at Pizza Hut Park to close out Group B.

In addition to a win in Frisco, Santos needs a loss by Chivas USA to New England earlier today in Fullerton, Calif.

"The game is important because both teams are fighting to advance," said Santos forward Matias Vuoso, whose team practiced Friday at UT-Dallas. "Perhaps we're not as prepared as we should be, but we still have a chance, and we won't give up until it's over."

Four teams will advance to the July 29-30 semifinals, two from Group A and two from Group B.

If Santos and New England win, Santos would be in a three-way tie with Chivas USA and Pachuca for second-place in Group B. All would have three points in three matches.

The first tiebreaker is head-to-head record, but each team would be 1-1 against the other two. The next tiebreaker is goal differential; Santos will advance if it defeats Pachuca by two or more goals, or if Chivas finishes with the worst goal differential.

"We definitely can't make predictions," Pachuca coach Enrique Meza said. "We have great respect for the [Mexican] champion. ... We both want to pass on to the next round, so we'll see who deserves it."

SuperLiga: Santos vs. Pachuca, 9 p.m. today, Pizza Hut Park (Ch. 49)