An additional pair of MLS clubs opened their competitive schedules on Wednesday with first leg victories in CONCACAF Champions Cup action.
Orlando City rolled to a 3-0 first leg victory over Canadian Premier League hosts Calvary FC. Duncan McGuire opened the scoring before Facundo Torres added a brace to pad the aggregate advantage for Oscar Pareja’s men.
McGuire needed only 21 minutes to break the deadlock for the Lions, redirecting a Martin Ojeda cross into the bottom-left corner. It marked McGuire’s first goal of the season after his pending loan move to Blackburn Rovers fell through.
Torres extended Orlando City’s lead to 2-0 in the 38th minute, receiving a pass from Dagur Dan Thorhallsson and connecting from a long-range shot.
The Uruguayan would have the final say in the first leg, capping off a Lions fast break for a 3-0 advantage with 15 minutes to play. Torres was left wide open at the back post to head home his second goal of the match.
Winter signing Nicolas Lodeiro made his competitive club debut, logging 28 minutes off the bench.
Exploria Stadium will host the second leg on Feb. 27.
Independiente de La Chorrera 0, New England Revolution 1
The Caleb Porter-era in New England got underway with a slim 1-0 first leg victory over Independiente de La Chorrera on Wednesday night.
Tomas Chancalay’s half-volley finish in the 54th minute proved to be the difference between the two clubs.
Giacomo Vrioni came the closest from either club to the find the back of the net in the first half. Vrioni’s ninth-minute header struck the crossbar, but both teams were into the halftime break level at 0-0.
It was Vrioni though who set up the lone goal of the match, feeding Chancalay who delivered chipped home a shot into the back of the net.
New arrival Henrich Ravas registered a two-save clean sheet for the Revs, giving them a crucial win to begin their campaign.
Gillette Stadium will host the second leg on Feb. 29.
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