Crew win highlights CONCACAF Champions Cup Semifinals
We are finally here with the CONCACAF Champions Cup Semi-Finals and have to say that the opening leg of this round didn't disappoint as we got some action, and it looks to set up a spicy second leg this following week. But we should look back at these Semi-Final 1st leg matches and discuss them.
When it comes to the all-Liga MX battle between Club America and Pachuca, this one didn't disappoint. It was a hard-fought battle at the Estadio Azteca, and we got entertained with excellent runs and big moments. But the opening half is where the goals were scored. Alejandro Zendejas opened the scoring in the 12th minute, but they couldn't keep the lead to get to halftime. Norman Micolta Arroyo leveled it for Pachuca in the 40th minute. After that, it was the battle of the keepers.
But if we know about this situation, we will have plenty of fireworks for the second leg this coming Tuesday. But while it is a draw in the first leg, that away goal for Pachuca is looming very large. But we shouldn't be too nieve. These two sides have battled each other many times in Liga MX play and international club play.
But the big boy match was the last MLS club in the Columbus Crew taking on the Rayados of Monterrey. You wondered what type of battle we were going to get at Lower .com Field between the managers Wilfred Nancy and Fernando Ortiz. What we saw was a Crew side truly giving fits to Monterrey all match long with strong defense and counterattacks.
The first blow came from the Crew as Cucho Hernandez controlled the ball and found a seem in the Monterrey defense. In the 26th minute he struck the ball and beat Esteban Andrada inside the near post. It looked like Monterrey were getting a taste of their own medicine on the offensive side of the ball until they finally broke through two minutes before the hour mark.
Maximiliano Meza was able to tap in an open net as Patrick Schulte misplayed the ball on the cross in the 58th minute. The warning shot that came to fruition as the away goal was the lifeline that Monterrey needed in this tie. Even though the Crew once again clamped down and frustrated Monterrey, they got the lead back in the 72nd minute when Jacen Russell-Rowe received a cross and headed the ball down that bounced past Andrada to retake the lead.
The Crew gave Monterrey their first defeat in Champions Cup play this tournament, but as we all know the Crew are going to have to be on their game down at the Estadio BBVA and score some away goals of their own to move on toward the single match final in June. Right now, Monterrey also has a lifeline, and Nancy is going to have to make sure they follow their game plan correctly.
CONCACAF CHAMPION CUP SEMI-FINALS 1ST LEG SCORES
CLUB AMERICA 1:1 PACHUCA
COLUMBUS CREW 2:1 MONTERREY