Miami (AFP) – Reigning MLS champions Columbus Crew reached the semi-finals of the Leagues Cup on Saturday with a 4-3 win on penalties over New York City after the game ended 1-1. Just 14 seconds into the game, visitors New York took the lead when Alonso Martinez robbed Crew defender Rudy Carmacho and burst into the box before slotting home.
Striker Cucho Hernandez had a great chance to level the game but dragged his shot wide from inside the box, and the Colombian forced a fine save from Matt Freese. But four minutes before the interval, Columbus, who had eliminated Cup holders Inter Miami in the previous round, drew level. Max Arften whipped in a cross from the right, and Hernandez met it with a perfectly angled header into the bottom corner.
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Chances were rare in the second half, and despite plenty of late pressure from Columbus, the game went to the shoot-out. Columbus ‘keeper Patrick Schulte saved from Maxi Morales, but then Diego Rossi saw his effort saved by City’s Freese. After New York’s Santiago Rodriguez blasted his effort high and wide, it was left to DeJuan Jones to clinch the victory with a cool penalty.
Columbus will host the winner of a later game between the Philadelphia Union and Mexico’s Mazatlan. The other quarter-finals feature the Seattle Sounders against Los Angeles FC and Liga MX giants Club America against the Colorado Rapids.
© 2024 AFP
