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Columbus Crew SC

Black & Gold Win Series 5-2 on Aggregate

May 2, 2024 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS - Please see below for media resources following the Columbus Crew's 3-1 victory against CF Monterrey in Leg 2 of the Concacaf Champions Cup Semifinals. With the result, the Crew won the series 5-2 on aggregate and claimed their first berth in the Concacaf Champions Cup Final. Date and time for the Final, hosted by CF Pachuca, will be announced by Concacaf in the near future.

Match Notes:

The Crew earned a 3-1 win against CF Monterrey on Wednesday night in Leg 2 of the Concacaf Champions Cup Semifinals at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico.

After reaching the Concacaf Champions Cup Semifinals for the first time in Club history, the Crew advance to the tournament's Final for the first time after winning 5-2 on aggregate. The Club looks to become only the second MLS team to win the tournament (Seattle, 2022) and secure a spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Columbus becomes only the second MLS side to advance to the Final after defeating a LIGA MX club in the Semifinals since 2008-2009.

From 2008-2009, the Crew-Monterrey series marked the eighth Semifinals matchup between the rival leagues. LAFC is the only other club to reach the Final by defeating a LIGA MX team, besting Club América during the 2020 edition in a one-match competition (COVID-19 pandemic).

It marks the second international final in Crew franchise history (2021 Campeones Cup: 2-0 W, vs. Cruz Azul, Sept. 29, 2021).

Under Head Coach Wilfried Nancy, the Black & Gold are unbeaten against LIGA MX sides with a 3-0-2 record.

July 31, 2023 - Crew 4-1 W vs. Club América, 2023 Leagues Cup

April 2, 2024 - Crew 1-1 T vs. Tigres UANL, 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup

April 9, 2024 - Crew 1-1 T (4-3 penalties) at Tigres UANL, 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup

April 24, 2024 - Crew 2-1 W vs. CF Monterrey, 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup

May 1, 2024 - Crew 3-1 W at CF Monterrey, 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup

Columbus claimed victories against CF Monterrey in back-to-back fixtures. Prior to the two matches against the Crew, Rayados had only experienced two losses against MLS clubs in the tournament across 18 Concacaf Champions Cup contests.

Entering this year's Semifinals, CF Monterrey had not lost a knockout round in the Concacaf Champions Cup since the Semifinals in 2005, when they fell to Deportivo Saprissa on penalties.

The Black & Gold are unbeaten through six (3-0-3) 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup matches. It marks the Club's longest such streak in the tournament since 2008-09, topping the previous best of three matches (twice: 2008-09 and 2021).

Columbus has scored at least one goal in 26 of its past 29 matches across all competitions, netting 53 goals in the stretch.

Midfielder Aidan Morris opened the scoring for the Crew at 45'+4' with a right-footed shot after intercepting the Monterrey goalkeeper's rollout. It marked Morris' third goal contribution (one goal, two assists) in the tournament. His first assist came on Midfielder Alexandru Matan's game-winner at Houston Dynamo FC while his second set up the equalizer in the Club's home match against Tigres UANL.

Forward Diego Rossi netted the Black & Gold's second goal of the match. Rossi posted his third goal of the tournament and is now only one shy of the Crew's highest career goal total in Concacaf Champions Cup since 2008-09 (Steven Lenhart, 4).

Forward Jacen Russell-Rowe capped the Crew's scoring in the 89th minute. He scored in both matches against CF Monterrey, the game-winner on a header in Leg 1 and a second to seal the outright victory.

The Crew will face CF Pachuca in the Concacaf Champions Cup Final. Date and time of the one-match, winner-take-all competition in Mexico will be announced soon. Pachuca earned hosting rights based on their total points accumulated from the Round of 16 through the Semifinals.

The Black & Gold return to MLS action for the Hell is Real derby against FC Cincinnati at Lower.com Field on Saturday, May 11 [7:45 p.m. ET MLS Season Pass on Apple TV / Alt 105.7 FM / iHeartRadio app (English); La Grande 102.5 FM / La Grande app (Spanish)].

Upcoming Match: Columbus Crew vs. FC Cincinnati

MLS Regular Season

Saturday, May 11 - 7:45 p.m. ET - Lower.com Field (Columbus, Ohio)

TV: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass / FOX Sports 1

Columbus Crew Radio: Alt 105.7 FM (English); La Grande 102.5 FM (Spanish)

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