FC Cincinnati's collapse in Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 leaves four MLS-Liga MX quarterfinals FC Cincinnati’s dramatic exit from the Concacaf Champions Cup round of 16 marked a crushing setback for the MLS club, as Tigres UANL secured their place in the quarterfinals with a last-minute goal in Mexico. Despite holding a 3-0 aggregate lead from the first leg, Cincinnati’s hopes crumbled in the second match, which ended 5-1 in favor of the Liga MX side. Fernando Gorriarán’s goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time sealed the 5-4 aggregate victory, sending Tigres to the next round. The match saw Cincinnati briefly regain control after Kevin Denkey’s 65th-minute header gave them the away-goal advantage, but Tigres’ resilience proved decisive. André Pierre-Gignac’s assist for Gorriarán’s decisive strike highlighted the Liga MX side’s determination, as the Uruguayan forward beat U.S. national team call-up Roman Celentano in a dramatic finish. The result solidified the quarterfinal bracket, which will feature four MLS-Liga MX matchups: Tigres vs. Seattle Sounders, Nashville SC vs. Club América, LA Galaxy vs. Toluca, and LAFC vs. Cruz Azul. The round of 16 proved challenging for MLS teams, with Cincinnati’s elimination joining Philadelphia Union’s defeat by América and San Diego FC’s loss to Toluca. Only Seattle Sounders, Nashville SC, LAFC, and the Galaxy advanced, with the latter three overcoming non-Mexican opponents. Seattle’s 2-1 win over Vancouver and Nashville’s 2-1 upset of Inter Miami stood out, while LAFC’s 2-1 victory against Costa Rica’s Alajuelense and the Galaxy’s 2-0 win over Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant FA secured their spots. Miami’s exit, however, carried greater implications for MLS ambitions in the competition.#fc_cincinnati #tigres_uanl #seattle_sounders #andr_pierregignac #roman_celentano
The Seattle Sounders’ “Road Show” continues with a trip to Minnesota United, marking their sixth consecutive away game in a seven-game stretch without playing at Lumen Field. The Sounders enter the matchup on a winning streak, having recently eliminated the Vancouver Whitecaps from Concacaf Champions Cup play. This follows a surprising 6-0 victory by the Whitecaps over Minnesota United earlier this season. The Sounders’ roster faces several absences, with key players like Pedro de la Vega (knee), Yeimar Gomez Andrade (hamstring), Stuart Hawkins (quad), Kim Kee-hee (calf), Danny Musovski (international duty), and Ryan Sailor (knee) ruled out. Hassani Dotson is listed as questionable due to a head injury. On the other side, Michael Boxall and Peter Stroud are also out with lower-body injuries. Minnesota United’s squad will be without several players, including their injured defenders. The team’s midfield will likely rely on Neco Triantis, a standout since joining from Sunderland. Deployed as an 8 in a 3-4-3 system, Triantis has shown flashes of brilliance and is expected to play a pivotal role. James Rodriguez, the Colombian forward, is set to make his home debut after limited minutes since joining the club. Possession statistics highlight the teams’ contrasting styles. The Sounders have struggled to secure more than 40% of possession in their past four matches, all of which ended in victories. Minnesota, meanwhile, averages 45% possession this season, a significant increase from last year’s MLS record of under 40%. The team has climbed to 20th in the league in this regard, reflecting a shift in their approach. The matchup carries added significance as Lumen Field will host the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals, adding pressure for both teams.#concacaf_champions_cup #minnesota_united #lumen_field #seattle_sounders #pedro_de_la_vega
