Cementeros restore modicum of league pride in CCL

Cruz Azul may have stopped the Liga MX’s losing streak to MLS, but the Cementeros left CF Montreal off the hook, winning by a slim 1-0 margin at Estadio Azteca.

Earlier Wednesday, the New England Revolution routed the visiting Pumas of UNAM 3-0, the third consecutive 3-0 win by MLS clubs over Liga MX teams in this year’s Concacaf Champions League.

Uriel Antuna pounced on a misdirected Montreal header and fired home in minute 20 for the lone goal in Cruz Azul’s first-leg quarterfinal contest against the MLS club.

The two teams will play the deciding match next week in Montreal and the home team will have the services of star striker Romell Quioto, out Wednesday on a yellow card suspension.

MLS clubs turning tables on Liga MX

Cruz Azul looked in charge until coach Juan Reynoso removed midfielder Charlie Rodríguez for the final 20 minutes. The Cementeros scrambled a bit thereafter, suffering as a result of careless outlet moves and sloppy ball-handling.

“La Máquina” moved to 12-1-4 all-time vs MLS opponents, a not unusual statistic for Liga MX teams as they have enjoyed considerable success against rivals from the U.S. league. Liga MX squads have won the past 16 ConcaChampions tournaments and MLS fans have dreamed of the day they might earn some bragging rights.

Four of the CCL quarterfinalists hail from the MLS, three from Liga MX and the eighth team is Guatemala’s Comunicaciones.

After the first leg, three of the four MLS clubs are poised to advance: NYCFC beat visiting Comunicaciones 3-1; Seattle Sounders trounced León 3-0 and the Revolution routed UNAM 3-0).

That leaves Cruz Azul as the best hope for the Mexican league but a 1-0 lead over CF Montreal is not definitive. The Canadians lost at Santos Laguna 1-0 in the Round of 16 then crushed the Guerreros 3-0 in the return match at Olympic Stadium. That will be the site of the second-leg match between the Cementeros and Montreal on March 16.

Coach Reynoso will hope his men are more precise in front of net but first he must have his team prepared for a Mexico City derby at the weekend. “La Máquina” hosts UNAM on Saturday.

Pumas fade in Boston

The Revolution had more than a home-field advantage against UNAM. A heavy snow made the Gillette Stadium field slushy and slippery.

In spite of the adverse conditions, the Pumas were within one as the clock ticked past 70. The Mexico City club nearly found the equalizer but were denied by a fantastic save by New England’s back-up keeper Earl Edwards. A Pumas corner kick was flicked on at the near post by Arturo Ortiz and Rogerio’s header at the far post appeared ticketed for the back of the net until Edwards flashed across his goal mouth.

Moments later, New England rushed upfield and Adam Buksa beat the offside trap. Pumas skipper Alfredo Talavera smothered the first shot, but Buksa recovered and fired home inside the near post to put the Revolution up 2-0.

Just before the final whistle Carles Gil collected his third assist of the night, feeding Buksa for the clincher.

The Pumas were thoroughly outplayed on the night with midfielders Favio Álvarez and Higor Meritao turning in terrible performances. Fullbacks Alan Mozo and Jerónimo Rodríguez also had bad games.

The result saw UNAM slip to 3-2-2 vs MLS teams in the ConcaChampions tournament. This is only the fifth time the Pumas are participating in the CCL.