Contributed by Steven Torres
CD Guadalajara (Chivas) of Mexico advanced to the 2018 Concacaf Champions League (CCL) Final after holding the hosts New York Red Bulls to a scoreless draw on Tuesday evening in the semifinal’s second-leg held at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., therefore winning the series 1:0 on aggregate.
Chivas, who had won the first-leg last week in Guadalajara, faced a fierced attack by the Red Bulls who outshot them 20-1.
The crowd of 23,623, who mostly cheered for Chivas, witnessed the best scoring opportunity of the first half in the 18th minute, when a cross from Austrian international midfielder Daniel Royer, inside the penalty box, beat the Mexican international goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota, but the Jamaican international defender Kemar Lawrence couldn’t get a last touch towards the empty net.
The Red Bulls, who were looking to become the first NY team since 1984 to have a chance in reaching a Concacaf club tournament final, had its final opportunity to level score in the closing seconds of the game when Lawrence sent a cross that defender Aaron Long headed onto goal, however Cota made one final save for Chivas.
The result puts Chivas into their first confederation final since 2007 as they will face Toronto FC for the CCL crown. The Canadian champion eliminated Club América of Mexico in the other CCL Semifinal, 4:2, on aggregate.
The Toronto-Chivas winner will qualify as the Concacaf representative to the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
2018 Concacaf Champions League Semifinals – Second-leg
04.10.2018: Harrison, New Jersey USA; Red Bull Arena (A: 23623)
NEW YORK REDBULLS (USA) – CD GUADALAJARA (MEX) 0:0
NY Red Bulls: Luis Robles-C – Michael Murillo, Aaron Long, Tim Parker, Kemar Lawrence, Derrick Etienne Jr. (76: Carlos Rivas), Sean Davis, Florian Valot, Tyler Adams, Danny Royer (58: Alejandro Romero Gamara), Bradley Wright-Phillips. Booked: none
Coach: Jesse MARSCH
CD Guadalajara: Rodolfo Cota – Carlos Salcido-C, Oswaldo Alanis, Edwin Hernandez, Carlos Cisneros, Orbelin Pineda, Jesus Godinez (90: Angel Zaldivar), Michael Perez, Rodolfo Pizarro, Isaac Brizuela, Alan Pulido. Booked: Cota 28’, Hernandez 88’
Coach: Matias ALMEYDA
R: Walter LOPEZ (GUA)
Guadalajara wins series 1:0 on aggregate
Written by Steven Torres