The CONCACAF Champions League is the tournament that pro soccer teams in North and Central America and the Caribbean qualify for out of their league play. In 2021, there is no group play but instead the tournament is simply a 16-team knockout event. The bracket has been winnowed down to eight clubs, and this week, the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals will play their second leg.
Let’s take a look at the four matchups as you consider your CONCACAF Champions League betting options.
Soccer News: CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinals (Leg 2) Preview
Tuesday, May 4
Philadelphia Union vs Atlanta United (8:00 pm ET)
Philadelphia leads 3-0 on aggregate goals
Philadelphia returns home with an almost insurmountable advantage, having stacked up three away goals in the first leg. Atlanta possessed for two-thirds of the match and outshot the visitors, 16-8 (7-5 on target), but Philadelphia just turned it into a laugher in the second half. Kacper Przybylko opened the scoring for the Union in the 57th minute and completed his brace 16 minutes later. Anthony Fontana put the icing on the cake in the 86th minute. The match was physical, with 28 combined fouls, but Atlanta settled on too much shooting from distance. Atlanta will push hard against a Philadelphia team likely to take a conservative approach, but they can’t dig out of this chasm.
Final Prediction:
Atlanta 1, Philadelphia 0 (Philadelphia advances)
Cruz Azul vs Toronto FC (10:15 pm ET)
Cruz Azul leads 3-1 on aggregate goals
Cruz Azul also comes back home with a big advantage, thanks to those three away goals. They didn’t waste any time jumping on Toronto FC in the first leg, as Brayan Angulo Tenorio talled in the third minute. Jonathan Osorio brought the hosts level in the 20th minute, but then Angulo Tenorio added another in the 34th minute. Pablo Cesar Aguilar added insurance in the 58th minute. Toronto possessed for 55 percent of the match but was outshot, 22-19 (5-2 on target) as they spent a lot of time with the ball at distance but could not do much to dent the Cruz Azul defense.
Final Prediction:
Cruz Azul 1, Toronto FC 1 (Cruz Azul advances)
Wednesday, May 5
Monterrey vs Columbus Crew (8:00 pm ET)
Tied 2-2 on aggregate, Monterrey has two away goals
Monterrey jumped out to the early lead in the first leg, with Ake Arnaud Loba scoring in the ninth minute. Columbus did not draw level until the 65th minute, with Milton Valenzuela found the back of the net. Lucas Zelarayan put the hosts ahead with a goal in the 87th minute, but then Jose Alvarado silenced the crowd in extra time at the end of the second half to secure the draw. Columbus possessed for 62 percent of the game and outshot the visitors, 15-10 (4-3 on target) but now must win in Mexico to advance.
Final Prediction:
Monterrey 2, Columbus 1 (Monterrey advances)
Club America vs Portland Timbers (10:15 pm ET)
Tied 1-1 on aggregate, Club America has one away goal
Portland rested a number of their starters in a 4-1 loss to FC Dallas on Saturday in order to focus on the second leg of this tie. In the first leg, Club America went up 1-0 in extra time at the end of the first half with a Roger Martinez goal, converting from the spot. Club America seemed set for the road win until seven minutes into extra time in the second half, as Felipe Mora converted a penalty of his own. Club America possessed for 57 percent of the game and outshot Portland, 11-10 (6-4 on target). The match was very physical, featuring 41 fouls and nine yellow cards (five to Club America).
Final Prediction:
Club America 2, Portland 1 (Club America advances)
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