Los Angeles (AFP) – Monterrey’s USA striker Brandon Vazquez scored on his return to his former club Cincinnati as the Mexican club enjoyed a 1-0 win in their CONCACAF Champions Cup, round of 16, first-leg tie on Thursday.
Cincinnati, who won the Supporters’ Shield for the best regular season record in Major League Soccer last season, had started brightly and had the ball in the net in the 18th minute but Corey Baird’s effort was ruled out for offside.
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Six minutes later though, the Liga MX team were ahead and it was the former home favourite Vazquez who produced the breakthrough.
Maximiliano Mesa found the forward in the box and his right-foot effort crept under the body of Cincinnati keeper Roman Celentano, who should have done much better.
It was Vazquez’s seventh goal in 11 appearances since joining the five-times CONCACAF champions in and will strengthen his case for inclusion in Gregg Berhalter’s USA squad for the upcoming Nations League Final Four.
Cincy striker Aaron Boupendza missed a great chance to level in the 56th minute but fired wide of the right post from inside the box.
Monterrey were reduced to ten men in the 70th minute when a VAR review ruled that Rodrigo Aguirre had struck Baird, off the ball, before a corner.
With their numerical advantage for the final 20 minutes, Cincinnati piled on the pressure but Monterrey keeper Esteban Andrada kept out a Sergio Santos effort after good work from Luciano Acosta.
Boupendza had another chance in the final stages but his header from a Gerardo Valenzuela cross flew harmlessly wide.
Later on Thursday, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are at Nashville.
© 2024 AFP
