MIAMI.- Both clubs are sensing they’re not far off from adding another SCCL trophy to their case, with Rayados hoping to add number five and their first since 2019 and Cruz Azul seeking their second, the first since 2013-14.
The teams have met in the semifinals before, with Monterrey winning 3-2 on aggregate in the 2010-11 semifinals on the way to their first international trophy.
Monterrey will put its record as the most successful team in SCCL knockout matches on the line once again, hosting Wednesday’s first leg at the Estadio BBVA. It was at that stadium where Maxi Meza and Miguel Layun, who no longer is with the club, scored to key a 3-0 win in the second leg against Columbus Crew SC and clinch a 5-2 aggregate victory.
Rayados managed a draw with Mazatlán last time out to extend their unbeaten streak to kick off the young Liga MX season. New arrival Joel Campbell, fresh off the Concacaf Gold Cup with Costa Rica, already is developing a connection with the club’s attacking core with Rogelio Funes Mori, the author of two goals in the SCCL semifinals against Sporting Kansas City in 2019, also working back in after represent Mexico at the Gold Cup.
Cruz Azul has started its Liga MX title defense with a win, a loss and a draw and also is working its Concacaf internationals such as Orbelin Pineda - plus Olympic bronze medalists Luis Romo, Roberto Alvarado and Sebastian Jurado - back into the lineup.
Bryan Angulo, who scored twice in the first leg and once in the second leg to lift Cruz Azul past Toronto FC in the quarterfinals by a 4-1 aggregate margin, also is available for manager Juan Reynoso’s selection.
After Wednesday’s first leg in Monterrey, the teams will prepare for the return leg at the Estadio Azteca a week later with Cruz Azul hosting the return leg on Sept. 16.
