Midweek first leg action in both the Copa Libertadores and CONCACAF Champions Cup produced thrills and spills, with MLS and Colombian teams making particularly strong statements out of the gate. Here is your look at all the action and a preview for next week.
LAFC Rolls in Honduras as MLS Clubs Make Statement
MLS clubs began their CONCACAF Champions Cup journey before the kick-off of the MLS season this Saturday. Overall, the early returns were incredibly positive, highlighted by LAFC’s 6-1 romp in Honduras that all but ensures their passage into the next round. After just 11 minutes, LAFC was already leading 2-0. Denis Bouanga an MLS MVP contender scored a hat trick, Son converted a penalty in front of a packed stadium, and the other scorers were David Martinez Morales and Timothy Tillman. Looking at the statsheet, the game wasn’t quite that lopsided, but LAFC were surgical with converting their chances.
The win is an impressive statement for the team in black and gold before the MLS opener against Inter Miami. Should LAFC complete the contest next week, they will return to Central America for a matchup against Costa Rica’s Alajuelense.
Nashville SC took care of business against Atletico Ottawa. Ottawa followed the pattern of many Canadian Premier League teams in this competition. In the first half they held Nashville scoreless at home, but goals from Woobens Pacius and Sam Surridge in second-half stoppage time were enough to ensure the Music City based side will be heavy favorites to advance at home. Nashville outshot Atletico Ottawa 18-5. The winner faces Inter Miami.
Philadelphia Union won 5-0 over Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force in a game where Philadelphia limited Defence Force to just 4 shots on goal. The gap between club teams from the Caribbean and MLS remains significant. Union would face a struggling Club America from Liga MX in the next phase.
Ayoub Jabarri scored twice as FC Cincinnati thumped O&M FC from the Dominican Republic. A struggling Tigres side from Liga MX would be next.
Two CONCACAF Champions Cup Ties Remain Competitive
For the right to play the Seattle Sounders, the Vancouver Whitecaps from MLS still have work to do after a scoreless draw against Costa Rica’s Cartagines on the road. Vancouver were the only team to generate clear scoring chances in the matchup.
LA Galaxy will be favored at home against Panama’s Sporting San Miguelito, but a 1-1 draw in Panama left them feeling empty. The Galaxy, who have struggled in MLS lately, were much better attacking than their opponents but only have a Joseph Paintsil goal to show for it. The winner will play Mount Pleasant from Jamaica.
Colombian Sides Hold Advantages After Libertadores Second Round Action
It was a busy week in the Copa Libertadores and every game remains active and highly contested into next week. Liga Betplay Dimayor’s two Colombian sides got off to winning starts. A stoppage time goal from Hayen Palacios gave Independiente Medellin a 2-1 win before the home leg over Uruguay’s Liverpool.
Deportes Tolima’s trip to Deportivo Tachira was a success, it finished 1-0 for the traveling team who generated about twice as many goal scoring chances. Venezuelan side Carabobo was more successful, winning 1-0 at home. Own goals meant 2 de Mayo from Paraguay finished 2-2 with Sporting Cristal from Peru in their home leg.
Brazilian Sides Hope for Libertadores Comeback
Both Brazilian teams in the second round of the Copa Libertadores will play their home legs from a deficit. O’Higgins from Chile scored early against Bahia and then parked the bus to some extent. Bahia struggled to break down the O’Higgins defence and will need to turn around a 1-0 deficit.
Brazil’s struggles in Bolivia continued, Nacional Potosi defeated Botafogo 1-0, in a game where they generated 25 shots and were the aggressor in the matchup. Potosi is unlikely to be able to replicate that style of play in Brazil without altitude, but there’s still all to play for in the match where Potosi’s midfield were excellent.
Argentinos Juniors defeated Barcelona SC 1-0, while Juventud drew scoreless with Guarani in the other second round matches. The Ecuadorian club Barcelona conceded a late goal in a game where they had a man advantage in the final third of the match. After their poor performance, it’s hard to see them advancing in the tournament.
Club World Cup Expansion Discussed
Reports came out this week that FIFA was considering expanding the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup to 48 teams. That outcome would see both CONEMBOL and CONCACAF be able to enter more teams into the competition, which continues to promise a financial windfall to participating teams. Putting up strong showings in both continental competitions would be the path to entry for the
Main Photo Credit: Smartframe Images
