Major League Soccer’s four CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinalists require second leg comebacks to find places in the semifinals after Sporting KC and Atlanta United lost on Thursday.
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The New York Red Bulls and Houston Dynamo both lost 2-0 at home on Tuesday, while Atlanta and KC were on the road for the following setbacks.
Independiente de la Chorrera 2-1 Sporting KC
Peter Vermes’ men were considered MLS’ best bet heading into the round, and remain so after collecting an away goal in Panama.
Sporting mainstay Ilie Sanchez converted a 51st minute penalty kick to level the score line after Romeesh Ivey gave Independiente a halftime lead.
Alexis Corpas restored Independiente’s advantage heading back to Sporting KC.
Vermes’ men face the Philadelphia Union in league play before the second leg next week.
Monterrey 3-0 Atlanta United
A pair of late goals took Atlanta’s poor night to a level of despair as the Liga MX hosts gained a three-goal advantage without conceding an away goal to the Five Stripes.
Atlanta was outshot 17-5 and managed just a single shot on target despite Frank De Boer starting a threatening front three of Josef Martinez, Pity Martinez, and Ezequiel Barco.
And here’s your exclamation point:
