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There were only three games on the docket last night, including two MLS vs. LIGA MX matchups. MLS sides continued their winning ways over LIGA MX foes as NYCFC hosted Querétaro and Portland Timbers met Club León.
NEW YORK CITY FC - 0 (4) | QUERÉTARO F.C. - 0 (3)
NYCFC got the win they were desperate for, picking up their first victory since July 3, albeit against a struggling Querétaro team who currently sit dead last in the LIGA MX Apertura and haven’t won a league match heading into this game.
This game offered little going forward and scoring chances came at a premium for both teams. NYCFC owned most of the ball and forced goalkeeper Guillermo Allison into some smart saves throughout the match but were unable to break down the resolute Querétaro defense in regular time, forcing penalty kicks.
Knotted at 3-3 in the shootout, Querétaro’s Kevin Escamilla rung the crossbar and Jovan Mijatovic followed by smashing his shot into the top-right corner to give the hosts a 4-3 edge. Luis Barraza was the hero for NYCFC, springing to his left to deny Ronaldo Cisneros and claim the shootout result.
SPORTING KANSAS CITY - 2 | CHICAGO FIRE FC - 1
R. Castellanos (39’), W. Agada (76’) | G. Koutsais (22’)
You just cannot count Sporting Kansas City out of games lately.
Chicago took an early lead following a Georgios Koutsias goal set up by a lovely clipped cross from Brian Gutiérrez. But a towering back-post header by Robert Castellanos and a scintillating diving header from Willy Agada gave Sporting a 2-1 comeback victory in front of a raucous crowd at Children’s Mercy Park.
Agada is simply on fire right now. The Nigerian striker has scored a goal in each of his last three appearances and six in his last six matches to help propel SKC back up the table in the Western Conference.
Now, the focus shifts to Toluca, the presumptive favorites in this group. We will see if Agada and the rest of the squad can carry over their fine form against one of LIGA MX’s top teams so far this season.
PORTLAND TIMBERS - 2 | CLUB LEÓN - 1
A. Medina (13’) | Z. McGraw (41’, 90’)
The Leagues Cup was feeling generous last night, giving viewers an instant classic to close out Sunday’s slate.
The game was pretty even on paper, but León grabbed the lead after 12 minutes on a thunderous, long-range strike from Alan Medina. It looked like it might not be Portland’s night when Evander blazed a tap-in over an empty net. But only 10 minutes later, Zac McGraw leveled the contest with a header into the upper left corner.
The match looked destined for penalties until McGraw struck again in the 90th minute off another corner kick, rising highest to give the Timbers the 2-1 win at the death.
I would have assumed you were a psychic if you could’ve predicted that McGraw would score two goals, one of them a last-minute winner. But Portland fans won’t care who scored them, and all that matters is that they took all three points at Providence Park.
Despite the 3-2 loss to the LA Galaxy before Leagues Cup kickoff, the Timbers are in great form, having only dropped two matches over the last two months. We will see if that strong play continues in Leagues Cup action.
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