PUMAS AND SEATTLE WIN IN THE FIRST LEG OF THEIR SEMIFINALS
The first Concacaf Champions League semifinals featuring two MLS teams and two Liga MX teams are half way done. Pumas received Cruz Azul at CU and Seattle hosted against New York City FC.
PUMAS VS CRUZ AZUL
While any semifinal between MLS teams is unprecedented, Pumas and Cruz Azul had already clashed at these stages of the continental tournament. In 2010, after falling 0-1 at CU, Cruz Azul inflicted a scandalous 5-0 in the second leg. This time around, despite also having a one goal deficit, they were able to score one away goal.
Cruz Azul got a goal invalidated after Uriel Antuna got caught off-side. The goal was eerily similar to the one he scored one week before against El Salvador. An escapade through the left side of the box and a violent strike close to the near post. The game kept an agile pace with both teams knowing the growing importance of this international tournament. Also, after a couple of recent memorable encounters, the sporting animosity between these two teams is in full bloom.
It would be the best striker of the competition, the one to open the score. Alan Mozo sent a ball to Corozo on the left side, who then crossed it to Dinenno. Despite a troubled control, and a trampled finish, the Argentinean scored his sixth goal of the tournament.
Just before the end of the first half, another well-timed long cross by Alan Mozo would find Dinenno practically with no mark on him. Juan Dinenno hammered the ball far from keeper Sebastian Jurado to score his second goal of the night.
Cruz Azul wouldn’t stop insisting on the attack, and would score via an escapade by Ivan Morales on the left wing. He served the ball to Christian Tabó who touched it rather gently and far enough from Talavera.
SEATTLE VS NEW YORK CITY
Seattle received current MLS Cup holders at the Lumen Stadium. The Greens have shown that they could be a very dangerous team for the eventual Liga MX finalist. With goals coming from Albert Rusnák, Jordan Morris and Nicolas Lodeiro they sentenced the game despite an early reaction from NYC.
Coach Brian Schmetzer has built a solid and generous side. Their ambition this time around coincides with what we see on the pitch, a sturdy and competitive side capable of finishing off the series in a single game.
