The quarter finals of the Concacaf Champions Cup are complete with two more MLS teams dropping out in spectacular fashion. Both New England Revolution and Inter Miami were defeated by high-level Liga MX competition with the latter suffering a disappointing result that could have been the defining moment of their season.
Meanwhile, Columbus Crew SC defied the odds by going to Mexico against Tigres and coming away with a win on penalty kicks. The win sends Wilfred Nancy’s team to the semi-finals and shows that they are a formidable force in the league and internationally as well.
MIAMI CRUMBLES UNDER PRESSURE
Inter Miami was supposed to be the superteam that could carry MLS to international glory. Unfortunately they are dominated by Monterrey over two legs with a combined score of 5-2. Miami, who played superstar Lionel Messi from the start in the second leg, pinned much of their success on this competition, knowing that many players will be missing during their defense of the Leagues Cup due to Copa America.
It didn’t pan out the way they would have hoped with former FC Cincinnati striker Brandon Vasquez opening the scoring last night and Monterrey never looked back. Matters were made worse by a Jordi Alba red card in the second half nullifying any momentum the team had been building to that point. Miami will now need to look for improvement in the league as they are just two points off the top of the Eastern Conference.
“Today’s defeat takes away a hope we had,” said head coach Tata Martino. “Which was to be able to move forward in this competition.”
COLUMBUS IS NO JOKE
The Crew have shown that they have little fear in the face of opposition and that attitude continued when they toppled Mexican giants Tigres on Tuesday night. Having survived a 1-1 draw against their opponents at Lower.com Field, the stage was set for the usual MLS meltdown in Mexico. That didn’t happen as Nancy’s men pushed Tigres to a draw and eventually a win on penalties.
The true star was goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, a 23 year-old Missouri native who has quickly made himself an essential part of the Crew over the last two seasons. He saved the first two penalties and nearly stopped a third on the way to a 4-3 win in the shootout.
“I’m not surprised to be honest with you,” said head coach Nancy about Schulte’s performance. “At the end of the day Pat deserved that. I’m not surprised because the first question people ask me is, ‘Do you think that Pat is going to be able to keep going?’ And I say, ‘Why do you think like this?’ Let’s see. And he knows he has to evolve and so I’m happy for him because I can tell you that he was really, really disappointed when we conceded the opening goal.”
Results:
Tigres UANL: 1 (3)
Columbus Crew SC: 1 (4)
Club America: 5
New England Revolution: 2
Pachuca: 2
Herediano: 1
Monterrey: 3
Inter Miami CF: 1
photo by Matt Kremkau