MIAMI. - The second legs of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals brought many excellent performances.
Here are the 11 standouts from the quartet of contests:
GK: Alfredo Talavera, Pumas
The experienced goalkeeper had to keep a clean sheet in the second leg to give his team an opportunity to move on. He did just that, denying a good late effort as one of three saves on the night, and then made a stop in the penalty shootout that followed to clinch a spot in the semifinals.
DF: Nicolas Samayoa (Comunicaciones)
Samayoa helped spark Comunicaciones late rally as the Guatemalan side tied the aggregate scoreline against New York City FC. The center back got forward to score a goal in the 69th minute and had another shot on target. On the defensive end, he stole the ball twice and maintained a 92 percent passing percentage.
DF: Arturo Ortiz (Pumas)
Ortiz anchored a defensive unit that bounced back to deny the New England Revolution a goal Wednesday. He chipped in to Pumas’ comeback efforts with two shots on target plus took the ball off a Revs attacker three times. Ortiz also converted his kick from the spot in the penalty shootout.
DF: Alan Mozo (Pumas)
Alway active in the attack, Mozo helped create several dangerous build-ups as Pumas scored three against New England. He also improved on the first-leg performance, helping Pumas lock down the right side of defense and not allow any goals.
MF: Sebastian Saucedo, Pumas
When Pumas needed a goal, Saucedo stepped up. Down 3-2 on aggregate to the New England Revolution, the California native took a touch and sent the ball past Revs GK Earl Edwards Jr. in the 59th minute. He also had four key passes, keeping a 90 percent mark for completions.
MF: Uriel Antuna, Cruz Azul
Hot off an appearance in last week’s Best XI, Antuna weighed up a perfect volley, scoring in the 44th minute of Cruz Azul’s 1-1 draw with Montreal. Beyond his goal, he had a pair of shots on target and completed 11 passes, helping to keep Montreal’s back line busy.
MF: Jose Contreras, Comunicaciones
The midfield maestro barely put a ball wrong, completing 72 passes and seeing just one miss the target for a 99 percent accuracy rating for Comunicaciones against New York City FC. He also scored a goal from distance that put the series level on aggregate, though NYCFC moved through on the away goal advantage.
MF: Angel Romero, Cruz Azul
The offseason addition has quickly locked in with La Maquina. Romero found Antuna, assisting the goal that would put Cruz Azul past Montreal. He also had two shots on target of his own and finished the day with an 80 percent pass completion percentage, trying several high-risk, high-reward balls that led to scoring opportunities.
FW: Juan Dinenno (Pumas)
Dinenno shot to the top of the SCCL scoring charts with a goal on either side of the halftime break, pushing Pumas to a 3-0 victory over the New England Revolution on Wednesday. That result sent the match to a penalty shootout to decide the semifinalist and, with the pressure on, Dinenno converted the final kick to put his squad through.
FW: Valentin Castellanos (NYCFC)
After scoring more goals than anyone in MLS last season, Castellanos now seems to have his sights set on the SCCL Golden Boot. He added to his numbers by opening the scoring for NYCFC against Comunicaciones for the second week in a row. This time it was a bending free kick that got around Cremas’ wall and beat the goalkeeper.
FW: Fredy Montero (Seattle Sounders)
Montero had less to do after scoring twice to help the Sounders to a 3-0 win over León in the first leg. Yet, he still led the line for the Sounders on Thursday and contributed by converting from the spot before halftime. That goal takes him to 10 all-time in the SCCL, tied with Alvaro Saborio for most scored for an MLS team.
