MLS’s San Diego FC, which ended up playing with two men down on the field, defeated Mexican soccer champion Toluca 3-2 today to take the lead in the round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
David Vázquez, twice, and Anders Dreyer scored for the Americans, while Jesús Gallardo and Brazilian Helinho scored for Toluca, both on penalty kicks.
San Diego resists with ten men and ties after Toluca’s mistake
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The first half was one of struggle, with repeated fouls and the 12th minute sending off of Marcus Ingvartsen.
Who left the Americans a man down on the field.
Toluca came out to press and in the 16th minute took the lead with a well taken penalty kick by Gallardo.
But in the 32nd minute, the Mexican team made a mistake at the start that cost them a goal by Vázquez, left-footed from a pass by Amahl Pellegrino.
The Devils, who had 72-28 possession in the first half in their favor, came up against a feisty opponent, who despite playing with 10 players, pressed.
Withstand final pressure
San Diego FC took the lead over Toluca with a goal in the opening seconds of the second half.
Vázquez accepted a pass from Luca Bombino and left-footed to make it 2-1.
San Diego FC went for more and in the 53rd minute took a 3-1 lead with a left-footed goal by Dreyer, on another Bombino service on a counterattack.
Toluca tried to do some damage, but looked disconnected.
Defender Manu Duah committed a handball in the area, resulting in a penalty, which was taken in the 89th minute by Helinho, who made it 3-2.
The defender was sent off, leaving the U.S. with two men down at the end of the match.
Toluca went on the attack for the equalizer, but San Diego FC defended well and preserved the win.
The second leg of the series will be played next Wednesday in Toluca, 2,600 meters above sea level.
The winner of the series will face the best of MLS’ Los Angeles Galaxy and Jamaica’s Mr Pleasant in the quarterfinals.
Technical data
The first half was hard-fought
QuéOnnda.com
San Diego: Duran Ferree; Manu Duah, Christopher McVey, Luca Bombino, Oscar Verhoeven (Ian Pilcher m.61); Jeppe Tverskov, Onni Valakari, David Vázquez (Lewis Morgan m.61) ; Marcus Ingvartsen, Amahl Pellegrino (Osvald Soe m 90+1), Anderers Dreyer (Bryce Duke 90+6).
Coach: Mikey Varas.
Toluca: Hugo González; Federico Pereira, Bruno Méndez, Everardo López (Helinho, 46), Diego Barbosa (Sebastián Córdova, 90+2); Franco Romero, Marcel Ruiz (Nicolás Castro, 41), Jesús Gallardo, Jesús Angulo (Alexis Vega, 73); Jorge Díaz (Pavel Pérez, 46), Paulinho.
Coach: Antonio Mohamed.
Goals: 0-1, minute 16: Jesús Gallardo; 1-1, minute 32: David Vázquez; 2-1, minute 46: David Vázquez; 3-1, minute 53: Anders Dreyer; 3-2, minute 90: Helinho.
Referee: Walter López of Guatemala. Sent off Marcus Ingvartsen and Man Duah. Yellow cards for Luca Bombino, Manu Duah; Marcel Ruiz, Everardo López, Jorge Díaz and Federico Pereira.
Incidents: First leg of the round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, held at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.
With information from EFE
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