MIAMI, Florida – The Preliminary Round of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf League is complete, capping off a week of some great moments from across the six games.
Here are the top moments from the week:
Bernal's gallop to goal for Verdes
Mexican FW Edwin Villeda Bernal produced one of the most magical moments of the year in the Concacaf region with his great goal in the 2-2 draw for Belize side Verdes FC at Platense of El Salvador. Bernal collected the ball at midfield and galloped past a trio of Platense defenders before executing a picture-perfect finish with the outside of his right boot. It was a goal that will live in Verdes lore, as it helped Verdes become the first team from Belize to win an SCL series.
Hats off to Pacific's Diaz
Alejandro Diaz has been one of the top goalscorers in the Canadian Premier League in the last two seasons, and now the rest of the Concacaf region knows that, too. Diaz notched a hat trick to lead Pacific to a 6-0 win over Jamaica’s Waterhouse to clinch their place in the next round. Not a bad way to make your home Concacaf debut. With those goals, Diaz is currently the tournament’s top scorer.
Municipal set aggregate win record
The SCL is in its sixth edition and dating back to the inaugural tournament in 2017, there have been some very impressive goal-scoring displays from clubs. But Municipal’s performance in their Preliminary Round series with Atletico Vega Real of the Dominican Republic just might take the cake. A week after winning 4-0 in the Caribbean, Municipal scored another five goals in Thursday’s 5-0 home win, giving them an aggregate 9-0 win. No team in SCL history had ever scored nine goals on aggregate in a series and it is by far the largest margin of victory by an SCL team in a two-legged series.
Rocca to the rescue for Real Espana
There were certainly some nervy moments for Honduran side Real Espana on Thursday night in their home date with Real Esteli of Nicaragua, but through it all Ramiro Rocca was a calming presence. After converting an early penalty, Rocca came through with another go-ahead goal for his side in the second half to make it 2-1. In these SCL games, teams need their top players to come through in the clutch and Rocca did so for Real Espana.
Alajuelense join past champs in next round
A year after a disappointing exit in the Round of 16, Alajuelense of Costa Rica appear to be on a mission to return to the SCL Final, which they won in 2020. The Ticos marched to a 3-0 second leg win over Aguila of El Salvador to punch their Round of 16 ticket and will join three other past SCL champions in the Round of 16 (Olimpia, Herediano, Comunicaciones). If their second leg match is any indication, Alajuelense will definitely be in the mix for a second crown.