MIAMI, Florida – This Friday at 7:00 PM ET, Concacaf will be airing a re-broadcast of the 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League quarterfinal second leg between Atlanta United and Monterrey, followed by the 2016-17 SCCL quarterfinal second leg between the Vancouver Whitecaps and the New York Red Bulls. Both matches will be shown on Concacaf’s Facebook and YouTube pages, plus the Concacaf App.
Heading into the second leg of their quarterfinal series, Monterrey held a 3-0 cushion but there was plenty of work to do against Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The then-reigning Major League Soccer champions arrived into the encounter off an impressive 14W-4D-2L record at home during the 2018 MLS season and looked to strike first in the second leg to put pressure on Rayados.
The first chance for the hosts came in the 9’ when MF Ezequiel Barco filtered a pass into Josef Martinez, who tried to sweep in a right-footed shot, but was denied by Monterrey GK Marcelo Barovero.
Barovero was called into action another few times during the first half, including on a swerving long-distance attempt from Argentine countryman and former River Plate teammate Gonzalo Martinez.
Barovero’s counterpart Brad Guzan was equally alert and kept his side within the three-goal aggregate by making a pair of saves.
As the second half wore on, Atlanta United threw more numbers forward in hopes of a late charge, but that left space in the back and incredibly Monterrey hit the crossbar on back-to-shots from Aviles Hurtado and Rogelio Funes Mori, respectively.
Atlanta United would finally get their goal in the 78’ after a slick one-two combination between Josef Martinez and Darlington Nagbe that ended with Martinez firing in a right-footed shot to cut the aggregate to 3-1.
The MLS side launched a full-out attack to find two late goals, only to see the Monterrey defense hold firm to secure the 3-1 aggregate victory and a place in the 2019 SCCL semifinals.
