FC Cincinnati and Nashville SC both made their respective CONCACAF Champions Cup debuts on Thursday and proceeded to breeze to first leg road victories.
Pat Noonan’s squad scored goals in each half to defeat Jamaican hosts Cavalier FC 2-0. Sergio Santos delivered the opening goal for FC Cincy before Malik Pinto added an insurance tally before the final whistle.
Santos took advantage of some sloppy defense from Cavalier FC before the halftime whistle. Bret Halsey raced into the 18-yard box before crossing into the middle of the box, allowing Santos to volley home his first goal of the campaign.
Roman Celentano was rarely troubled by the Cavalier FC attack, making only one save throughout the 90 minutes.
Second-half substitutes Arquimides Ordonez and Pinto connected on the second and final goal of the match. Ordonez”s back heel pass allowed the 21-year-old Pinto the opportunity to drill a right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner for a 2-0 FC Cincy lead.
TQL Stadium will host the second leg on Feb. 28.
Moca FC 0, Nashville SC 3
It was smooth sailing for Nashville SC on Thursday night as the Eastern Conference side breezed past Dominican side Moca FC 3-0 in first leg action.
Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge scored 13 minutes apart in the first half before offseason acquisition Tyler Boyd added a third and final goal of the night.
Surridge fed Mukhtar in the box after 12 minutes before the German midfielder slotted home for a 1-0 advantage.
The duo connected once again in the 25th minute, but this time it was Surridge who rifled home for a 2-0 lead. Mukhtar’s through-ball pass allowed Surridge to dance past the last Moca FC defender before unleashing a powerful shot into the left corner.
Boyd, who made his first start for his new club, finished off a Teal Bunbury pass with 15 minutes to play.
Veteran shot-stopper Joe Willis made one save for Nashville SC to preserve the road clean sheet.
The two teams will conclude their series at Geodis Park on Feb. 28.
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