MIAMI, Florida – Five-time Concacaf Champions Cup winners Monterrey of Mexico will be out to continue their high-scoring ways against Guatemalan side Comunicaciones on Thursday night in the second leg of their 2024 Champions Cup Round One series at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico.
Rayados collected a 4-1 victory in the first leg in Guatemala in which four different players found the back of the net, giving Monterrey their second Champions Cup victory against Comunicaciones in three matches.
Monterrey have now won five straight Champions Cup matches dating back to their run to the 2021 title, and they also stretched their winning streak on Guatemalan soil to three matches.
In second leg matches in knockout round series, Monterrey are as strong as they come with a record of 10W-4D-2L. A win, draw or defeat by two goals would be enough to secure Monterrey’s place in the Round of 16.
Some of the stars from last week’s triumph were Jesus Gallardo, German Berterame and Jordi Cortizo. Gallardo had a goal and an assist while completing an astounding 90 of 91 passes, Berterame also had a goal and an assist, and Cortizo had an assist on top of completing 77 passes.
That trio and more will be looking to avoid any surprises against a Comunicaciones team that will be trying to rekindle the spirit they showed in their 2022 quarterfinal second leg. Down 3-1 to New York City FC after the home first leg, Comunicaciones nearly completed an epic comeback by winning the second leg 4-2 away to NYCFC.
Another four-goal haul away from home, combined with a strong defensive performance, would give Comunicaciones a comeback chance, and they have the players to do it.
Carlos Mejia scored the Comunicaciones goal in the first leg, while Juan Anangono nearly got a goal on three different occasions. Erik Gonzalez also delivered a good performance by completing 22 of 26 passes.
If any of those players can find an early score for Comunicaciones, things could become very interesting in Monterrey.
Match Officials CF Monterrey (MEX) vs Comunicaciones FC (GUA)
REF: IVAN BARTON (El Salvador)
AR1: DAVID MORAN (El Salvador)
AR2: HENRI PUPIRO (Nicaragua)
4TH: JUAN GABRIEL CALDERON (Costa Rica)
VAR: RICARDO MONTERO (Costa Rica)
VAR1: BENJAMIN PINEDA (Costa Rica)
