It was a tough day for any squad heading south of the border for the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup Spherical of 16 fixtures.
Seattle Sounders vs. Cruz AzulCruz Azul win 4-1 on combination
Gary Striker and I had been discussing the Leg 1 nil-nil outcome on our podcast, and I discussed Seattle would rue their squandered probabilities. I then declared with some authority: “Cruz Azul are practically unbeatable at dwelling.” Referred to as it!
Final evening, earlier than a skinny crowd within the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Azul put a beat down on the visiting Sounders. It wasn’t essentially the most medical of performances from the house aspect (solely 5 of their 22 pictures had been on course), however 4 of these struck the online. Seattle gamely mustered three pictures within the first 5 minutes, none of which missed by various inches. However that panache and vigor was rapidly reined in by Azul’s superior possession. Seattle had been compelled into defensive mode for the remainder of the half, and conceded from Carlos Rodríguez’s beautiful header.
The second half didn’t get a lot better for the guests. Jordan Morris pulled up with a hamstring concern within the sixty fifth minute, and Paul Rothrock’s clumsy problem from behind on Érik Lira gave Azul a penalty, calmly transformed by Ángel Sepúlveda. Danny Musovski’s opportunistic rating from a set piece supplied a glimmer of hope to the Sounders, however they by no means actually threatened the hosts after that. Two late targets (83rd and 88th minute) locked it down for Cruz Azul, who transfer on to face the winner of the América/Chivas match within the CONCACAF quarterfinals.
Cincinnati FC vs. Tigres UANLTigres UANL win 4-2 on combination
Cincinnati FC couldn’t have had a greater begin throughout their go to to Neuvo Léon to tackle Tigres UANL. Within the 18th minute, Luca Orellano danced by two defenders into the Tigres field earlier than executing an ideal go again to an unmarked Evander, who duly slotted the ball into the purpose. Tigres, controlling the possession, couldn’t handle a lot in the way in which of attacking threats earlier than halftime.
The second half was continuing in Cincinnati’s favor till the sixty fourth minute. A cross from Juan Brunetta received the slightest of touches from Ozziel Herrera, but it surely was sufficient to sneak it previous Cincy’s keeper Roman Celentano. Buoyed by this purpose, Tigres would go on so as to add two extra within the subsequent eight minutes and absolutely quash any hope that the orange and blue may transfer on. UNAL will face the winner of the Herediano/LA Galaxy match within the CONCACAF quarterfinals.
Columbus Crew vs. LAFCLAFC advance 4-2 on combination
Bucking the southern journey pattern, LAFC headed north to go to the Columbus Crew at Decrease Discipline. Staring a three-goal differential within the face, Columbus had no alternative however to come back out quick and hope for (a number of) early targets. LAFC was completely simpatico with this. In any case, of their final sport 32% possession was sufficient to get that three-goal win.
Tonight’s fixture was nearly a carbon copy of the primary, with a number of exceptions. Columbus had been way more correct on the assault, with 7 of their 22 pictures on body. Hugo Lloris, who barely broke a sweat within the opening match, was compelled to make 5 saves. An early purpose from Jacen Russell-Rowe (that Lloris ought to have come out for, IMO) lifted the Crew’s spirit. When Diego Rossi transformed a PK within the forty fifth minute, the yellow and black needed to really feel sturdy heading into the dressing room.
The Crew continued their aggressive play into the second half, creating two golden probabilities within the first twenty minutes, solely to have one pulled extensive by Russell-Rowe, and one other denied by a spectacular save from Lloris. Within the fourth minute of stoppage, a beautiful curled free kick from Yehven Cheberko was as soon as once more swept off the left nook by Lloris’ hand. The 96th minute capper from Denis Bouanga (his third of the event) dashed the hopes of what was (tonight at the very least) a far superior Crew squad.
LAFC will face the winner of the Inter Miami/Cavalier match that will probably be performed in Kingston, Jamaica on March thirteenth.
The CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals will start in April.
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