MIAMI, Florida – Orlando City SC of Major League Soccer (MLS) and Mexican club Tigres battled to a 0-0 stalemate on Tuesday night in the first leg of their 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 series at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
It marks the third straight Champions Cup match in which these two sides have played to a draw, and the second time they have played to a scoreless final.
After their fiery Round of 16 series from a year ago, these two sides picked up where they left off, with an intense first 45 minutes of action.
Orlando City’s Robin Jansson had the first crack at goal in the 24’, forcing a save from veteran Tigres shot-stopper Nahuel Guzman, while legendary Tigres striker Andre-Pierre Gignac atypically missed the target in the 28’ with time and space just outside the area.
But the best look at goal came right before halftime for Orlando City FC Luis Muriel, whose right-footed shot was touched wide by Guzman.
The second half was just as hard-fought, with neither side yielding an inch. Orlando City GK Pedro Gallese was called upon to make his first big save of the night in the 71’ to deny a powerful right-footed effort from Sebastian Cordova.
Guzman would make the final big save of the night, snuffing out a chance for Ramiro Enrique in the 81’ after a clever through ball from Duncan McGuire.
In the end, there would be no goals, leaving things wide open going into next week’s second leg in Mexico.
