MIAMI, Florida – The 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 is now complete following this past week’s second leg matches. There were a number of excellent individual performances over the course of the eight games, yet these 11 players stood out the most at their respective positions.
GK Pedro Gallese, Orlando City SC – Gallese enters the Best XI for a second straight week after another Player Of The Match performance in the 1-1 draw with Tigres. Despite Orlando City’s elimination, Gallese was superb again, making eight saves and seven clearances.
DF Damion Lowe, Philadelphia Union – Lowe delivered at both ends for the Union in their 4-0 win against Alianza of El Salvador to earn Player Of The Match honors. In addition to scoring the opening goal, he completed 91 percent of his passes and helped keep the Alianza attack at bay.
DF Getsel Montes, Real Espana – Real Espana’s comeback effort came up short against the Vancouver Whitecaps, but Montes certainly did his part with two goals and a steal in the 3-2 second leg win. Montes was named Player Of The Match for his performance.
DF Adonis Frias, Club Leon – La Fiera held Panamanian side Tauro without a goal over the two legs and Frias had a lot to do with it with three steals in the second leg, while completing 94 percent of his passes.
MF Aldo Rocha, Atlas – Rocha played a huge role in Atlas’ big comeback against Olimpia with a goal, to go along with completing 60 of his 71 passes. He also had a steal and took two shots.
MF Julian Quinones, Atlas – Quinones was at the heart of the Atlas comeback, scoring the first and fourth goals on six shots. He also chipped in with an assist, had a steal and was selected as Player Of The Match.
MF Aaron Suarez, Alajuelense – Alajuelense nearly pulled off a comeback themselves before falling to Los Angeles FC 4-2 on aggregate. Still, Alajuelense won the second leg in Los Angeles 2-1 thanks in part to a goal from Suarez, who also had a steal on his way to a Player Of The Match display.
MF Andres Perea, Philadelphia Union – All any coach asks for from a substitute is for that player to make an impact, and no doubt that Perea did that in the Union’s 4-0 win. In just 25 minutes of action, Perea banged in two goals.
FW Sebastian Driussi, Austin FC – Austin FC nearly rallied from a 3-0 aggregate deficit against Violette of Haiti thanks to the efforts of Driussi, who scored both Austin FC goals in Tuesday’s 2-0 win. Driussi registered 12 shots on the night and took home Player Of The Match honors.
FW Eddie Hernandez, Motagua – The Honduran club won their first series in the SCCL era thanks to Hernandez’s poise and composure in converting a penalty in the 89’ in the 1-1 draw with Pachuca. He ended the night with three shots while completing 86 percent of his passes.
FW Carlos Vela, Los Angeles FC – Vela tallied his first goal of the 2023 SCCL in LAFC’s 2-1 defeat to Alajuelense. It was a big score for the MLS side, as it shut the door on Alajuelense’s comeback attempt. Vela also had a steal on the night.
