Liga MX giants Cruz Azul coast into Concacaf quarterfinals

Cementeros await the winner of the León-Los Angeles FC match; América and Tigres also chase spots in Final 8.

Liga MX giant Cruz Azul swept aside Jamaica’s Portmore United at Estadio Azteca, cruising into the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals on a 6-1 aggregate scoreline. Orbelín Pineda opened the goal-fest in minute 22 and newcomers Lucas Passerini, Pablo Ceppelini and Jonathan Borja added second-half goals.

With Tuesday’s 4-0 victory, the Cementeros have now won five straight in all competitions, dispelling the notion that the Clausura 2020 was going to be another disappointment.

Coach Robert Siboldi used only three regulars – midfielders Rafa Baca and Pineda, and Luis Romo who was used in central defense – preferring to give playing time to new acquisitions and academy players.

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Cruz Azul came out firing from the opening whistle, forcing Portmore goalie Kemar Foster to make five saves in the game’s first 15 minutes. The Mexico City club dominated possession (73% on the night) and circulated the ball well with Borja showing off refined passing skills up front.

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Youngsters Jaiber Jiménez and Jorge García performed well on the flanks with García supplying the assist on Pineda’s opener.

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Borja flicked a perfect lead pass to García wide right and the 18-year-old fullback picked out Pineda with a perfect cross. Pineda met the waist-high service with a scissors kick, depositing the ball in the back of the net to the delight of the blue-clad fans scattered around the stadium.

Forwards Passerini – a 25-year-old Argentine – and Colombian Alex Castro – also 25 – squandered scoring chances throughout the first half. Midfielder Ceppelini also missed a gaping net, but the Cementeros continued to press forward with ease.

Passerini made up for his wastefulness just before the hour mark, hustling onto a long cross by Jiménez and heading home from a sharp angle. Ceppelini converted a penalty kick earned by García in the final quarter-hour while Borja capped off the night just before the final whistle, slotting home off a delightful drop-off pass from sub Misael Domínguez.

Cruz Azul moves on the match against with León or LAFC. León won the first leg at home 2-0 and the two teams play the return match in Los Angeles on Thursday night.

Liga MX clubs América and the Tigres will try to join Cruz Azul in the quarterfinals with home games against Guatemala’s Comunicaciones and El Salvador’s Alianza, respectively. The Aguilas fought Comunicaciones to a 1-1 draw in Guatemala City last week while the Tigres were stunned by Alianza 2-1.

Awaiting the América-Comunicaciones winner is MLS club Atlanta United, a 3-0 winner over Motagua (Honduras).