MIAMI, Florida – The second leg of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League semifinals wrapped up this week with a number of notable performances from players across the four teams.
Here are the top 11 players at their respective positions from this week’s games.
GK Stefan Frei, Seattle Sounders – If it wasn’t for Frei, NYCFC may have very well completed a comeback from being down three goals on aggregate. The Seattle No.1 was superb in making six saves, including one from point-blank range against Talles Magno in the second half to keep the score at 1-1.
DF Nouhou Tolo, Seattle Sounders – After missing the first leg, the Sounders left back returned to the fold and delivered another energetic performance, highlighted by his two steals and his assist on Raul Ruidiaz’s goal.
DF Xavier Arreaga, Seattle Sounders – The Seattle defense was under heavy pressure throughout but Arreaga never wavered. The center back made a key steal and also completed 16 of 17 passes.
DF Pablo Aguilar, Cruz Azul – Cruz Azul’s SCCL campaign might have come to an end, but Aguilar was excellent for his side in the 0-0 draw against Pumas. No player made more steals than Aguilar’s five and he also completed 97 percent of his passes.
DF Alan Mozo, Pumas – Mozo’s motor continues to amaze. The Pumas right back was a factor at both ends, nearly scoring late on for the visitors, while making a steal and completing 24 of 27 passes.
MF Ignacio Rivero, Cruz Azul – Rivero did all he could to try to lead Cruz Azul back against Pumas, making three ball recoveries, while taking three shots. He also completed 92 percent of his passes.
MF Santiago Rodriguez, New York City FC – Rodriguez tallied the lone NYCFC goal and came within inches of another when he had a shot strike the post. He finished with three shots and 32 passes completed.
MF Cristian Roldan, Seattle Sounders – Roldan has basically become a mainstay in the SCCL Best XI, as the Sounders MF delivered another top performance with three steals and 94 percent of passes completed.
FW Diogo de Oliveira, Pumas – Diogo’s second leg performance will forever be remembered by Pumas fans. One moment he would get forward in attack and threaten the Cruz Azul goal, the next he was tracking back and making a goal-saving intervention. He ended the night with a steal and two shots.
FW Raul Ruidiaz, Seattle Sounders – Ruidiaz looks to be rounding into midseason form as the SCCL Final draws near. The Peruvian striker scored the Seattle goal with an intelligent one-time, right-footed finish and nearly had another later in the contest.
FW Valentin Castellanos, New York City FC – Castellanos made the key move that brought his side within two goals, as the Argentine’s clever dummy set up the Rodriguez goal. Castellanos had four shots, including one that hit the post
