Time to make history again.
After beating CF Monterrey last Wednesday night at Lower.com Field in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal, the Columbus Crew travel to Mexico this Wednesday for the second leg – and to battle for a spot in the final.
Numbers to Know
2-1 – There are a few numbers there, but nothing wrong with creative liberty! That’s the score from leg one, when the Crew toppled the Mexican powerhouse in Columbus. Cucho Hernández opened the scoring in the first half, while Jacen Russell-Rowe headed home the game winner in the second. Estadio BBVA is a true soccer cathedral – and no easy place to play – but the Crew having the advantage is no small feat. A win or draw sees the Black & Gold into the final against either CF Pachuca or Club América.
8 – After captaining the Columbus Crew for the first time in his career this past Saturday night against CF Montréal, Aidan Morris will be one to watch at Monterrey. Morris missed the last match in Mexico serving a one-match ban for a red card, so Wednesday would be his first match south of the border. Morris has been a workhouse alongside Darlington Nagbe, and he’s proven he can step up in big matches, such as MLS Cup Finals (and U.S. Men’s National Team games). Now, the Club’s young hero plays one of the biggest matches of his career. Let’s see how he seizes the moment.
4 – Rayados remains fourth in the Liga MX Clausura standings – same as leg one – but enters the match with momentum. On Sunday night, the club beat 10-man Necaxa, 5-2, on the road, giving Monterrey its first win since it beat Inter Miami CF on April 10. Four Monterrey players got on the scoresheet, including a brace from Sergio Canales. Brandon Vazquez, a former FC Cincinnati villain, also scored. Coincidentally, Monterrey’s last home match was against the Crew’s last Concacaf Champions Cup opponent: Tigres UANL. The two Mexican sides drew, 3-3, on April 13 at Estadio BBVA.
10 – Keep an eye on Sergio Canales. Yes, the Spanish midfielder scored two goals in his last match for Monterrey on Sunday, but he’s got three goals in five Clausura appearance this season. Including the Apetura, he has seven goals and four assists from 13 Liga MX matches. Clearly, he’s a talented player. However, he’s yet to score in Concacaf Champions Cup action. Let’s hope this stays that way.
When They Last Met
Hopefully you can still remember it! The Crew won, 2-1, in leg one this past Wednesday. Cucho scored in the 25th minute before Maximiliano Meza’s equalizer in the 58th minute. Fourteen minutes later, Russell-Rowe sealed the win. When the Crew last played at Estadio BBVA, Columbus lost, 3-0, in the second leg of the 2021 Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals.
Match Overview
Who: Columbus Crew at CF Monterrey
When: Wednesday, May 1 at 10:15 p.m. ET
Where: Estadio BBVA
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How to Watch: FS1 or the Fox Sports App
How to Listen: La Grande 102.5 FM | Alt 105.7 FM
