Major League Soccer has at least one representative in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals.
Defending league champions Columbus Crew eliminated Liga MX powerhouse Tigres 4-3 on spot kicks after the teams were level 2-2 on aggregate. Wilfried Nancy’s squad used a tying goal from Diego Rossi, as well as a six-save performance from goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.
Rossi’s right-footed shot in the 59th minute tied the match between the two clubs after Tigres broke the deadlock early. Mo Farsi’s pass was slotted home by the Uruguayan, giving Columbus a lifeline in Mexico.
Andre-Pierre Gignac’s close-range finish in the third minute boosted the hosts in front, but Columbus battled back and eventually forced a penalty shootout.
Both Gignac and Guido Pizarro had their efforts denied by Schulte, but Cucho Hernandez’s right-footed effort was repelled by Carlos Rodriguez.
However, Max Arfsten’s fifth-round shot nestled into the back of the net, boosting the Crew into the tournament’s final four.
Club America 5, New England Revolution 2 (Club America advances 9-2 on aggregate)
Liga MX side Club America rolled its way to the semifinals after breezing past the New England Revolution on home soil.
The hosts rode a 3-0 first half lead to an eventual 5-2 second leg victory, thanks to goals from Diego Valdes, Julian Quinones, and Henry Martin. Giacomo Vrioni registered a brace for New England, but it did little to change the final outcome.
Valdes and Quinones scored 13 minutes apart for Club America before Martin added a third goal of the half to give the hosts a 3-0 lead at the interval.
U.S. men’s national team winger Alex Zendejas extended America’s lead to 4-0 in the minute before Vrioni pulled a consolation strike back eight minutes later.
Brian Rodriguez and Vrioni traded goals in the final 15 minutes of the match, capping the aggregate scoreline at 9-2.
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