MIAMI, Florida – With the year winding down, Concacaf is looking back at the most unforgettable moments and matches during 2018 in different tournaments held by the Confederation.
Today, we continue with the top five matches of the 2018 Scotiabank Concacaf League.
1.- Motagua 2-1 Herediano, Final Second Leg
It is only fitting that to cap off a great tournament, fans were treated to the best match in the second leg of the Final. Facing a 2-0 deficit, Motagua of Honduras stormed back and leveled the tie 2-2 on aggregate. Things appeared destined to head to extra time, but some brilliant playmaking from Herediano’s Jose Guillermo Ortiz set up the chance of a lifetime for Jimmy Marin, who swept in the title-winning goal in the 85’ to earn the Costa Rican side a 3-2 victory and a berth in the 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.
2.- Perez Zeledon 1-1 FAS, Round of 16 Second Leg
Costa Rican side Perez Zeledon was on its way to the quarterfinals thanks to the away goal tiebreaker in a 2-2 aggregate draw with El Salvador’s FAS. The Ticos narrowly lost the first leg 2-1 and were holding onto a 1-0 lead late in the second leg. But in the waning seconds a final FAS run into the Perez Zeledon area led to a Keilor Soto own goal and a dramatic 3-2 aggregate win for the Cuscatleco club.
3.- Walter Ferretti 1-0 Club Franciscain, Round of 16 Second Leg
After claiming the Caribbean Club Shield and then beating Trinidad and Tobago’s Central FC in a playoff, Club Franciscain of Martinique was poised to continue its cinderella run and led Nicaragua’s Walter Ferretti 1-0 on aggregate deep into the second half of their Round of 16 second leg. However, a defensive error resulted in an equalizer in the 79’ for the Pinoleros, who then were superior from the penalty spot to claim a 4-1 shootout win.
4.- FAS 0-1 Arabe Unido, Quarterfinal First Leg
A round after its dramatic series victory over Perez Zeledon, FAS would experience some heartbreak of its own against Panama’s Arabe Unido in the quarterfinals. With the score locked at 0-0, all signs pointed to a scoreless draw in the first leg in El Salvador. However, Arabe Unido’s Faber Gil had other ideas and hit a spectacular overhead kick in the 88’ to give the Expreso Azul the 1-0 away win.
5.- Motagua 3-2 Portmore United, Quarterfinal First Leg
This breathless affair was a tale of two halves. Motagua jumped out to a 2-0 halftime lead and looked well on its way to a comfortable victory, only for Jamaica’s Portmore United to furiously come back and pull level 2-2 in the 81’ with a Jovan East goal. Motagua had a response though and in the fifth minute of second half stoppage time, Juan Pablo Montes headed in the winning goal for the Hondurans.