Club America forward Dario Benedetto (white shirt) was named winner of the 2014/15 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League's Golden Ball award. (Photo: Mexsport)
MONTREAL – Fueled by a remarkable scoring run in the knockout rounds, Club America forward Dario Benedetto was named the Scotiabank Golden Ball winner for the 2014/15 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League (SCCL).
Benedetto, who was acquired from Club Tijuana in December, played in only three games. Despite the late arrival, he netted seven goals, including a record-equaling four against Herediano in a 6-0 semifinal, second leg win on April 8.
In the final, second leg encounter at the Impact de Montreal on Wednesday, Benedetto struck for a hat-trick, helping the Aguilas to a 4-2 victory and a 5-3 overall aggregate triumph.
The 24-year-old is the first player to score three goals in a SCCL final match and the second straight Argentine to capture the SCCL’s highest honor. Last year, Cruz Azul’s Mariano Pavone was selected as the recipient after helping La Maquina to a record-breaking sixth CONCACAF club title, a mark now equaled by Club America.
SCOTIABANK CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Scotiabank Golden Ball winners
2008/09 - 2010/11: not awarded
2011/12: Oribe Peralta, Santos
2012/13: Aldo de Nigris, Monterrey
2013/14: Mariano Pavone, Cruz Azul
2014/15: Dario Benedetto, Club America
