COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus Crew SC opened their 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinal series with Tigres UANL with a 1-1 first leg draws on Tuesday night at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.
Jacen Russell-Rowe sparked an immediate offensive effort from the MLS Cup champions in the 2’ but the Tigres defense deflected an early chance inside the box.
Marcelo Flores was explosive for the Mexican outfit in the 7’, dribbling into the left side of the box after connecting with a long cross from Juan Brunetta, but the attempt was stopped by Crew defender Mohamed Farsi.
Marino Hinestroza dribbled into the penalty area in the 17’, playing the give and go off Yaw Yeboah, but the attempt went across the face of goal to the benefit of the visitors.
Andre-Pierre Gignac headed in the opening goal in the 18’ thanks to a pinpoint service from Diego Lainez. The Frenchman extended his all-time tally to 19 goals in Concacaf club play.
Russell-Rowe had a look towards goal in the 29’, hitting a left-footed shot inside the edge of the box off a Farsi pass, but Guido Pizzaro deflected the attempt with his chest.
Hinestroza had a potent hit from the edge of the box in the 30’ but Felipe Rodriguez was alert with the save.
Rodriguez had another save seconds later as Aidan Morris tried a left-footed hit towards goal.
Diego Rossi equalized in the 43’ with a strike in the box to capitalize on a defensive pressure from Morris.
Jesus Angulo found Juan Brunetta with a timely pass into the box but the attempt in the 61’ but Patrick Schulte was wary of the danger and provided the safe hands.
Schulte made another key save in the 63’ to deny Angulo on a Tigres corner kick.
Brunetta had another dangerous look in the 74’, this time from the edge of the penalty arc, but Schulte was wary again to keep the score level.
Crew SC would go down a man in the 77’ after Aidan Morris was issued a second yellow card for a tackle on Fernando Gorriaran.
Marcelo Flores had a long-distance shot in the 86 but Schulte punched the effort away from goal.
The two clubs return to league play on Saturday with both sides playing at home. Tigres UANL will host Columbus Crew SC next Tuesday for the second leg at the Estadio Universitario in San Nicolas de los Garza, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
