2021 CONCACAF Champions League Home team first, times are ET Thursday results: Round of 16 First Leg Tuesday, April 6 Marathon (HON) 2-2 Portland Timbers (USA) Alajuelense (CRC) 0-1 Atlanta United (USA) Arcahaie (HAI) 0-0 Cruz Azul (MEX) Wednesday, April 7 Saprissa (CRC) 0-1 Philadelphia Union León (MEX) 1-1 Toronto FC (CAN) Olimpia (HON) 1-2 Club América (MEX) Thursday, April 8 Real Estelí (NCA) 0-4 Columbus Crew (USA) Atlético Pantoja (DOM) 0-3 Monterrey (MEX) 2nd Leg Tuesday, April 13 Atlanta United (USA) v. Alajuelense (CRC) 6:00 pm FS1/TUDN Portland Timbers (USA) v. Marathon (HON) 8:00 pm FS1/TUDN Cruz Azul (MEX) v. Arcahaie (HAI) 10:00 pm FS1/TUDN Wednesday, April 14 Toronto FC (CAN) v. León (MEX) 6:00 pm FS1/TUDN Philadelphia Union (USA) v. Saprissa (CRC) 8:00 pm FS1/TUDN Club América (MEX) v. Olimpia (HON) 10:00 pm FS1/TUDN Thursday, April 15 Columbus Crew (USA) v. Real Estelí (NCA) 8:00 pm FS1/TUDN Monterrey (MEX) v. Atlético Pantoja (DOM) 10:00 pm FS1/TUDN The Quarterfinals start on April 27.
Alajuelense likely to be minus 5 players vs Atlanta due to Covid travel protocols "Moreira, Ruiz, Lopez and Venegas started in last week’s first leg. The players aren’t allowed to travel because they were in Europe competing for national teams during the past 15 days."
The question for Columbus now is who do you send out there. A fairly weak Esteli side that needs to win by five playing on the road isn't exactly a clarion call for Porter to risk the tendons and ligaments of his A lineup, particularly with their MLS opener against a sturdy Philadelphia Union side 3 days later. Compounding the question are the players that Esteli dinged up last week, guys like Etienne and Nagbe. Of course he wants to protect guys like Zelarayan and Zardes, but his widely-hailed "depth" isn't enough for an entire B team. Somebody has to play.
Nice problem to have, isn't it? I'd treat this game like a glorified friendly. Since most teams haven't played s lot of games, some first team players are probably not 100% match fit. Manage the mins for the next game vs philly
Nor does having some empty roster slots (at least two senior slots are available, plus 1-2 supplemental). It's going to be a creative line-up on Thursday, that's for sure. After Sunday, the Crew don't have an MLS game until May 1. Unless the unthinkable happens, they'll have a CCL quarterfinal match between April 27-29. So roughly a week and a half after the Philly game to get some guys healthy. With a little luck everyone but Molino will be available by that CCL match. It really would be lovely if MLS would release the 2021 roster rules, by the way.
That's exactly what I'd do. Anyone who needs the full 90 to get up to speed, chisel them into the lineup. If you have some new combinations you want to work on, give those guys a runout too. Otherwise, "congrats on your debut, kid."
Wouldn’t it be great if all of them win the seconds leg and then all advance? Although we could just be delaying our disappointment when they lose to Mexican teams. Who knows maybe this will finally be the year.
TFC is going to miss Jozy, Pozuelo, couple of other players. Unless the kids play out of their skin, TFC going to be in tough spot vs Club Leon tmrw
So what's the deal with Alajuelense? They're down seven starters and only brought one keeper because of some paperwork? Anybody know?
Atlanta has TONS of problems with ball-weighting. If they were merely "competent" at it this game, they would have multiple goals.
Covid restrictions from what I understand. Some of their players participated in national team friendlies in Europe and the US requires a 15 day isolation period for travelers that have been in Europe.
Official statement from @Concacaf cites Alajuelense's oversight in managing their travel and visa arrangements. Tonight's #SCCL match vs ATL will be played. "LD Alajuelense did not apply for the required exemptions until the day of their travel, only two days before the match" pic.twitter.com/MqpYDRkENi— Felipe Cárdenas (@FelipeCar) April 13, 2021 In short, they waited too long to file for Covid visa exemptions.
Incompetency. Official statement from @Concacaf cites Alajuelense's oversight in managing their travel and visa arrangements. Tonight's #SCCL match vs ATL will be played. "LD Alajuelense did not apply for the required exemptions until the day of their travel, only two days before the match" pic.twitter.com/MqpYDRkENi— Felipe Cárdenas (@FelipeCar) April 13, 2021 Yes and COVID restrictions from traveling to America. Basically they're fielding their reserve side of mainly U23 players instead of their starters.
This Atlanta team is going to need for Josef to come good again. They blow too many good chances as a team, otherwise.
Jurgen Damm has looked like garbage. Poor decisions all around, and when he does make the right play the ball is horrendous (like the cross over everyone in the box).
So they're ********ed then. How many players, non-Zlatan division, come back from major knee injuries and perform well within the next...12 months? If you set the O/U on Martinez league goals this season at 12.5, I'd take the under.
I call those Liga MX crosses. Next time you watch a Mexican club match, notice that there's almost always a player on the far side anticipating a wildly overhit cross.