MIAMI, Florida – The 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf League is just around the corner, so to get ready for the tournament, Concacaf.com is looking back on the best matches in SCL history.
We begin with the top five matches from the 2017 SCL.
#1: Olimpia 3-1 Alianza
Olimpia’s path to the 2017 SCL title was far from easy, and perhaps the toughest test for the Honduran side came in the second leg of the quarterfinals against Alianza of El Salvador.
A Rodolfo Zelaya goal in the first leg gave Alianza 1-0 lead on aggregate heading into the next second leg.
But in the return leg, a boisterous home crowd boosted the Catracho club and inside of two minutes the tie was even 1-1 when Roger Rojas pounced on a loose ball after a mad scramble in the box.
Alianza would keep its cool though and it scored a massive away goal on the brink of halftime when Gustavo Guerreno curled in a left-footed shot after a cross from the right flank.
In need of two goals to advance, the hosts would respond in the second half and a rocket from Carlo Costly in the 55th minute brought Olimpia to within one goal of the semifinals.
The Alianza defense would be tested throughout the remainder of the half and was mere seconds away from punching its ticket to the next round, only for Costly to strike again.
A ball was floated deep into the Alianza penalty area and the veteran striker hit a perfect header in the fifth minute of stoppage time to earn Olimpia the dramatic 3-1 victory and a spot in the semifinals.