FC Cincinnati 1 – 1 Tigres UNAL
Cincy’s Pavel Bucha struck quickly from just outside the box in the 3rd minute. Tigres would respond in the 17th when Nicolás Ibañez out jumped defender Teenage Hadere to angle a header down under the keeper’s legs. It should’ve been 2 – 1 but Kévin Denkey missed a sitter in the 20th. Both keepers made excellent saves in the second to keep the score level. Cincy
Pumas UNAM 2 – 0 Alajuelense
The winningest team in Costa Rican history isn’t used to getting outplayed like they were in Mexico City Tuesday night. Pumas didn’t necessarily put a beat down on the visitors, but they never allowed them to get too comfortable or build any real momentum.
LAFC 3 – 0 Columbus Crew
This was a straight-up masterclass in how to win without the ball. With only 32% possession, LAFC outshot the Crew 16-10, but the crucial statistic was shot-on-target percentage. LAFC had 50%; Crew only 10%. Crew keeper Patrick Schulte made five saves; Hugo Lloris barely broke a sweat for the hosts.
Chivas de Guadalajara 1 – 0 América
For those not in the know, this fixture is one of those Clash of Titans events, akin to a Madrid Clásico or a Merseyside Derby. The rivalry between these two runs deep and passionate. América outpossessed, outshot and generally outplayed Chivas, but lost on an absolute howler of an own goal from Sebastián Cáceres, who unwittingly kicked his keeper’s parry into the net. Derp.
Herediano 1 – 0 LA Galaxy
The last time these two met was in a 2013 CONCACAF Cup fixture. They drew 0 – 0 in San Jose, and Galaxy turned on the hurt in the reverse fixture in Carson, winning 4 – 1. They will be praying for a repeat performance after they fell 1 – 0 Wednesday night. Despite a commanding 67% possession, the two teams were nearly identical on shot attempts (10 to 11), shots on target (4 to 5), fouls (10 to 11) and yellow cards (4 to 3). But in the critical metric, saves, Herediano had the edge. Aguilar hit it perfectly after Galaxy defender Elijah Wynder (a fresh transfer from USL’s Louisville City SC) got his pocket picked.
Seattle Sounders 0 – 0 Cruz Azul
Aesthetically this was a gorgeous fixture. Sounders’ bright green and sky blue matched beautifully alongside Cruz’s darker blue. Sadly, though, the first half was a sluggish and dull affair. Happily, the second half had more energy and chances, nearly all of which went the home team’s way. Georgi Minoungou hit the crossbar right after kickoff. A few minutes later Pedro de la Vega’s open net goal got called back for an offside in the buildup. Jordan Morris hit the post in the 69th minute. Seattle were the better team, but Cruz Azul will be looking to capitalize on their home field advantage next week.
Vancouver Whitecaps 1 – 1 Monterrey
Rosario de la Rosa shocked the home side when his shot glanced off the far post and in. Incredulous defenders all put their arms up but he had remained onsides, slipping in between Vancouver’s high line. Ryan Gauld had two big misses in the second half but made up for it when he delivered a perfect cross onto the head of Belal Halbouni in the 85th minute. By most accounts Vancouver really dropped the ball on this one and will now be forced into aggression-mode when they travel south in the reverse fixture.
Inter Miami 2 -0 Cavalier FC
Despite having a bye (courtesy of winning the Caribbean league), Cavalier FC was a significant underdog coming into the match. Although the scoreline was 2 – 0 in the host’s favor, the Jamaican club put on an outstanding show. Late in the first half it appeared they had pulled off the unthinkable, scoring first, but a long VAR review canceled out the goal. Balancing a stifling, robust defense with counter-attacks, Cavalier was somewhat unlucky to concede the first goal. A corner was bumped off the crossbar and somehow managed to stay in touch, eventually falling onto the lethal left foot of Tadeo Allende, who lasered it past three bodies. The second goal came off a rare mistake from the Jamaican backline, captain Richard King misplaying a ball directly into the path of el pistolero himself, Luis Suárez. That cold-blooded vampire didn’t miss.
My god would it be incredible to see this team of youngsters (their average age is barely over 20) humiliate Messi & Co. in Kingston.
