The nNew York City The American qualified for the semifinals of the Champions League on Tuesday. Concacaf thanks to his goals as a visitor, after losing to Communications of Guatemala 4-2 (5-5 on aggregate).
The American soccer champion survived the defeat in the second leg of the regional tournament’s quarterfinals, after arriving in Guatemala with the advantage obtained in the first leg in Connecticut (United States), a week ago, where they beat Communications by 3-1.
The match seemed like a formality for the MLS club (Major League Soccer in the United States) after taking a 1-0 and 2-1 lead, but the Americans ended up asking for the final whistle and saw close to its elimination from the most important tournament of the Confederation of North, Central America and the Caribbean Football (Concacaf)
Argentine striker Valentin Castellanos opened the scoring for New York City in the 31st minute with a free kick that slipped past Communications goalkeeper Kevin Moscoso’s wall.
However, the locals did not give up and tied at the end of the first half through Costa Rican-Guatemalan striker Andrés Lezcano, who stole a ball on US soil and with a strong shot declared the tie.
New York City went ahead on the scoreboard again with a goal from Brazilian Talles Magno at minute 53, but Comunicaciones, led by Uruguayan William Coito Olivera, responded with goals from Nicolás Samayoa and Lynner García, between minutes 69 and 72. .
Guatemalan Communications scored four sterile goals
Communications tried to come back in the second half surrounded by almost 6,000 people at the Doroteo Guamuch Flores stadium in Guatemala City, a limited capacity due to covid-19, and got closer to their goal with a great goal from José Contreras at minute 88 .
However, it was not enough and the American team, led by Norwegian Ronny Deila, managed to qualify after enduring six minutes of added time in their area, in which the Guatemalan club came close to scoring the goal that would have given them the victory. historical classification.
The elimination leaves Communications focused on the Clausura 2022 local soccer tournament, where it is in third position but with one less game that could take it to the lead, currently in the hands of the local champion, Malacateco.
DATA SHEET
Communications-NY City 4-2
4 Communications: Kevin Moscoso; , José Corena, Alexander Larín, Nicolás Samayoa, Allen Yanes; Rodrigo Saravia (m.71, Karel Espino), Jorge Aparicio (m.62, Lynner García), José Manuel Contreras; Andrés Lezcano (m.62, Andrés Lezcano), Kevin López (m.71, Iván García) and Juan Anangonó.
Coach: William Coito Olivera (Uruguayan)
2New York City: Sean Johnson; Thiago Martins, Malte Amundsen (m.60, Christopher Gloster), Alexander Callens, Maxime Chanot; Nicolás Acevedo, Andrés Jasson, Alfredo Morales (m.60, Keaton Parks), Maximiliano Moralez (m.60, Thiago Andrade); Valentín Castellanos (m.60, Heber Araujo) and Talles Magno.
Coach: Ronny Deila (Norwegian)
Goals: 0-1, Valentin Castellanos (m. 31); 1-1, Andrés Lezcano (m. 44); 1-2, Sizes Magno (m. 53); 2-2, Nicolás Samayoa (m. 69); 3-2, Lynner Garcia (d. 72); 4-2, Jose Contreras (d. 88)
Referee: Costa Rican Ricardo Montero. He booked Anangonó, Contreras and López for Communications, in addition to Moralez for New York City.
Incidents: Second leg of the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals played at the Doroteo Guamuch Flores stadium in Guatemala City before almost 6,000 people
