By Alfredo Di Cesare
Aug 18, 2024, 09:56 AM EDT
In the farewell match for Venezuelan José ‘Brujo’ Martínez, Philadelphia Union worked a miracle. Mazatlán FC did not take advantage of its numerical superiority on the field and ended up being eliminated from the Leagues Cup in a penalty shootout, just like Club América.
Both teams tied at one goal in regular time. In the 45th minute, the MLS team’s forward Tai Baribo was sent off for a second yellow card. The first one he received was five minutes earlier.
Before the end, a goal was scored in the locker room that was a cold shower for Mazatlán. A run by Mikael Uhre on the left ended in a great goal. The forward reached the end of the goal line and the first post and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper just at the second goal.
However, Víctor Manuel Vucetich’s team was forced to press due to their numerical superiority. In the 59th minute, defender Jesús Escoboza equalised after a cross from Ramiro Arciga.
The Mexican team was better and more offensive. They had about 10 real chances, but they were not sharp in the first half and missed three clear chances. It was not until one of their rivals was sent off that they were able to put one of their chances into practice.
However, Mazatlán was unable to take advantage of its numerical advantage on the field. They tried, but were unable to overcome an inspired Jamaican goalkeeper, Andre Blake, of Union.
Death from the eleven steps just like America
Club América fell from the penalty spot and Mazatlán replicated its performance. Ramiro Árciga, Alonso Escoboza and Raúl Camacho were the ones who could score. Alan Torres and Samuel Adeniran failed.
Venezuelan José Martínez, Englishman Jack Elliott, Jamaican Damion Lowe and also Venezuelan Jesús Bueno scored for the American team.
The Leagues Cup will not involve any Mexicans. Philadelphia Union will face Columbus Crew, the MLS champions who previously eliminated New York City FC, in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
That same day, LAFC will face Colorado Rapids. The Los Angeles team knocked out Seattle Sounders while Club América was unable to beat Denver.
Continue reading:
· Memes blasted Luis Malagón for missing a penalty that eliminated Club América from the Leagues Cup
NYCFC knocked out of Leagues Cup by Columbus Crew
· Costa Rican Alonso Martinez scores the fastest Leagues Cup goal for NYCFC [Video]