Club America settles for a 0-0 draw with Cruz Azul in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals
Associated Press
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Club America had to settle for a 0-0 draw against crosstown rival Cruz Azul on Tuesday in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal series.
Playing at home in the Estadio de los Deportes, Club America had the best scoring chances, including one by Alejandro Zendejas in the second half.
The return game will be played next Tuesday at the Olympic Stadium, with the winner advancing to a semifinal against either Tigres or L.A. Galaxy
In the other quarterfinals, Inter Miami faces Los Angeles FC and Pumas takes on Vancouver Whitecaps.
Club America won the last of its CONCACAF record seven titles in 2016, the last year it reached the Club World Cup. Cruz Azul is tied with Pachuca for second place in the region with six titles each.
Even if it doesn't win this tournament, Club America might have a chance to return to a Club World Cup.
FIFA has announced a plan for a playoff for a vacant spot between Club America and Los Angeles FC — depending on the outcome of Mexican club Leon's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after it was kicked out for breaching the tournament's rules on multi-club ownership.
On Tuesday, the Aguilas had their best chance to score in the 46th when Zendejas dragged a shot wide to the right post. A couple of minutes later, Diego Valdes's shot was sent away by Colombian goalkeeper Kevin Mier.
Cruz Azul's best opportunity was in the 57th, with Angel Sepulveda's close-range header was deflected by goalkeeper Luis Malagón.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pete Alonso closing in on Mets home run record
DENVER (AP) — When he re-signed with the New York Mets last winter, Pete Alonso saw an opportunity to become the team's career leader in home runs and multihomer games. He checked one record off his list Sunday with a pair of two-run shots in a 13-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies — and the burly first baseman is closing in on the other. Advertisement Alonso's 23rd multihomer game broke a tie with Darryl Strawberry for the most in Mets history. The four-time All-Star and two-time Home Run Derby champion now has 243 career homers, passing David Wright (242) for second place on the franchise list — nine behind Strawberry. 'Honestly, it's just one of those things where I can't really be too involved in it,' Alonso said. 'For me, I just want to win. Whatever happens, capitalize on certain pitches in the zone, then I'll get my chance to do so by helping my team win. That's always been the focus.' Alonso hit two of New York's season-high six homers to help complete a 5-2 trip. He has six home runs and two multihomer games in June after going deep just four times in 27 games in May. He went 5 for 14 during the weekend series and has raised his batting average from .288 to .301 over the last eight games. 'There's a lot to like about his bat right now,' manager Carlos Mendoza said. 'Just dominating pitches in the strike zone. That's who he is. We know that the power's always been there, but now we're looking at a really good hitter.' Advertisement Alonso wasn't the only Mets player with a banner day. Juan Soto had three hits and walked three times to reach base in all six plate appearances. He became the first New York player to accomplish that feat since Alonso on Aug. 15, 2019, at Atlanta. 'It's not easy to do at the big league level,' Mendoza said. 'You get six times at the plate and you find a way to get on base. Finally getting results, but I feel the at-bat quality has been there.' Alonso's path toward becoming the Mets' career home run leader began when he set the major league record for rookies with 53 in 2019. He has hit at least 34 homers in each of his five full big league seasons and is on pace for 41 this year. Advertisement 'Pete's been pretty incredible this year. He's been locked in every single at-bat,' said teammate Jeff McNeil, who also hit two home runs Sunday. 'Seems like big situations he's going to do some damage. 'It's fun to watch and I feel like he's putting on a show every time he's at the ballpark.' ___ AP MLB: Michael Kelly, The Associated Press
Hamilton Spectator
10 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Pete Alonso closing in on Mets home run record
DENVER (AP) — When he re-signed with the New York Mets last winter, Pete Alonso saw an opportunity to become the team's career leader in home runs and multihomer games. He checked one record off his list Sunday with a pair of two-run shots in a 13-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies — and the burly first baseman is closing in on the other. Alonso's 23rd multihomer game broke a tie with Darryl Strawberry for the most in Mets history. The four-time All-Star and two-time Home Run Derby champion now has 243 career homers, passing David Wright (242) for second place on the franchise list — nine behind Strawberry. 'Honestly, it's just one of those things where I can't really be too involved in it,' Alonso said. 'For me, I just want to win. Whatever happens, capitalize on certain pitches in the zone, then I'll get my chance to do so by helping my team win. That's always been the focus.' Alonso hit two of New York's season-high six homers to help complete a 5-2 trip. He has six home runs and two multihomer games in June after going deep just four times in 27 games in May. He went 5 for 14 during the weekend series and has raised his batting average from .288 to .301 over the last eight games. 'There's a lot to like about his bat right now,' manager Carlos Mendoza said. 'Just dominating pitches in the strike zone. That's who he is. We know that the power's always been there, but now we're looking at a really good hitter.' Alonso wasn't the only Mets player with a banner day. Juan Soto had three hits and walked three times to reach base in all six plate appearances. He became the first New York player to accomplish that feat since Alonso on Aug. 15, 2019, at Atlanta. 'It's not easy to do at the big league level,' Mendoza said. 'You get six times at the plate and you find a way to get on base. Finally getting results, but I feel the at-bat quality has been there.' Alonso's path toward becoming the Mets' career home run leader began when he set the major league record for rookies with 53 in 2019. He has hit at least 34 homers in each of his five full big league seasons and is on pace for 41 this year. 'Pete's been pretty incredible this year. He's been locked in every single at-bat,' said teammate Jeff McNeil, who also hit two home runs Sunday. 'Seems like big situations he's going to do some damage. 'It's fun to watch and I feel like he's putting on a show every time he's at the ballpark.' ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Uriah Rennie, the Premier League's first Black referee, dies at 65
SHEFFIELD, England (AP) — Uriah Rennie, the first Black referee in the Premier League, has died. He was 65. 'We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie," the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Football Association posted Sunday on X. Advertisement 'Uriah made history as the Premier League's first Black referee, officiating over 300 top-flight matches between 1997 and 2008," the statement said. "He broke down barriers, shaped our football community and inspired generations to come." The Jamaica-born official grew up in Sheffield, northern England, and oversaw hundreds of matches starting with his breakthrough appointment when Derby hosted Wimbledon in August 1997. That game was abandoned, however, because the stadium lighting failed. Rennie told BBC News in April how, while on holiday in Turkey last year, he felt severe pain in his back and doctors discovered he had an inoperable neurological condition that confined him to a wheelchair. ___ AP soccer:
