MIAMI, Florida – The second leg matches of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf League Round of 16 saw a number of players deliver top performances. Here are the ones who stood out the most at their respective position.
GK Esteban Alvarado, Herediano – Alvarado made two big saves during the 90 minutes in Herediano’s 1-0 loss against Pacific FC, but he really stepped up in the penalty shootout, making two stops to help his side advance.
DF Carlos Melendez, Motagua – The Honduran club registered another clean sheet in the 2-0 win against Cibao FC and Melendez was a big reason for that success. He also completed 95 percent of his passes.
DF Amer Didic, Pacific – Pacific’s maiden voyage in the SCL came to an end, but not without a superb defensive performance from Didic, who was an anchor on his team’s back line and seemingly won every 50-50 challenge, along with making a steal.
DF Marcelo Pereira, Motagua – The Motagua man finished as the highest rated defender for the second leg matches after making two steals, taking one shot and completing 46 of 52 passes in Motagua’s 2-0 win over Cibao FC.
MF Jorge Alvarez, Olimpia – Olimpia required a big performance from everyone against Municipal and they got one from Alvarez, who made three steals and completed 98 percent of his passes in the 1-0 win.
MF Jonathan Nunez, Motagua – Nunez was a headache for Cibao at both ends, making three steals to go along with three shots at the offensive end.
MF Jose Pinto, Olimpia – One would be hard-pressed to find a better outing for a midfielder than Pinto’s against Municipal. He completed a whopping 106 of 108 passes, had one steal and supplied the assist on the lone goal.
MF Michaell Chirinos, Olimpia – Chirinos only spent 38 minutes on the field, but he made a huge impact in scoring the lone goal for Olimpia. He also completed 100 percent of his passes.
FW Gianni Dos Santos, Pacific – Dos Santos was instant offense off the bench for Pacific, as he scored the goal for the Canadian Premier League champions that earned his side a 1-0 win and forced the penalty shootout after the 1-1 draw on aggregate.
FW John Jairo Alvarado, Alianza (PAN) – Alajuelense had no answer for Alvarado, who tallied his side’s goal in the 1-1 draw with the Ticos. Alvarado could have easily had a hat trick, too, after two of his other shots hit the woodwork.
FW Oscar Santis, Comunicaciones – The 2021 champions failed to advance against Diriangen, but Santis was still superb for the Guatemalans in scoring a goal in the 1-1 second leg draw.