ZAPOPAN – Mexican giants Chivas are through to the Round of 16 of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup after a commanding 2-1 victory against Canadian Premier League side Forge FC in the second leg of their Round One series on Tuesday night at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Chivas claimed a 5-2 win on aggregate and will next face either domestic rivals Club America or Real Esteli of Nicaragua in the next round.
Chivas came storming out of the gates and not even eight minutes had ticked off the clock before the hosts broke the deadlock when Forge GK Christopher Kalongo could not hold onto a near-post header and Erick Gutierrez was there to nudge it over the line for a 1-0 Chivas lead.
Chivas remained on the front foot for the rest of the half, with first leg hero Cade Cowell leading the team in shots with three.
The Guadalajara side had a three-goal cushion on aggregate as play drifted into the second half, but they had to be on their toes in defense as Forge started carving out a few chances.
But Chivas made sure there would be no nervy moments and extended their lead to 2-0 in the 62’ when Jose Castillo was on the receiving end of a one-two combination and headed into net after his initial shot was blocked.
Forge would get a late consolation goal in the waning seconds on a powerful right-footed strike from Kevaughn Tavernier to make it a 2-1 final, but in the end, the series belonged to Chivas.
