{"id":33159,"date":"2021-05-06T00:05:22","date_gmt":"2021-05-06T04:05:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/?p=33159"},"modified":"2021-05-06T00:05:22","modified_gmt":"2021-05-06T04:05:22","slug":"leandro-suarez-portland-timbers-ccl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/soccer\/2021\/05\/06\/leandro-suarez-portland-timbers-ccl\/","title":{"rendered":"Leonardo Su\u00e1rez Downs Portland Timbers in CCL Quarterfinals"},"content":{"rendered":"

MEXICO CITY<\/strong> – Club America and Leonardo Su\u00e1rez\u00a0hosted Portland Timbers at Estadio Azteca for the second leg of their Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals matchup. Monterey, Philadelphia Union, and Cruz Azul had already qualified for the semifinals.<\/p>\n

Leonardo Su\u00e1rez Downs Portland Timbers in CCL Quarterfinals<\/h2>\n

Much like the first leg, Portland got off to a lethargic start in this game. America had more of the ball and more of the chances to start.<\/p>\n

The home side broke through in the 21st minute. America pass the ball crisply through the final third, eventually finding Mauro La\u00ednez with plenty of space and time. He sent an accurate cross into the box to Vi\u00f1as who got up to head it into the back of the net. He was unchallenged on the header.<\/p>\n

Portland lacked any quality going forward, especially from the run of play. Their one decent look in the first half came on a corner. Diego Valeri found Felipe Mora for an off-target header.<\/p>\n

Things opened up in the second half with the Chara brothers and Mora all getting looks at goal. A questionable penalty call gave America a 2-0 lead however. Leonardo Su\u00e1rez and Claudio Bravo went shoulder to shoulder in the box. Bravo got a leg in front of Su\u00e1rez as Su\u00e1rez hooked his arm around Bravo’s, dragging him down as he went to ground himself.<\/p>\n

VAR took a look, but the call stood. Federico Vi\u00f1as converted, making it 2-0 (3-1 on aggregate) on 59 minutes. Portland won a PK themselves four minutes later as Mora was clipped on the follow through of a shot. Valeri converted, meaning Portland needed just one more away goal and they’d advance.<\/p>\n

It was not to be as Leonardo Su\u00e1rez scored with 20 minutes to go. Dribbling forward in transition, he cut inside at the top of the box, and put the ball into the bottom far corner on his favored left foot.<\/p>\n

The match ended 3-1, 4-2 on aggregate.<\/p>\n

\n

\u26bd\ufe0f \u00a1Golazo de Leonardo Su\u00e1rez! @ClubAmerica<\/a> 3-1 @TimbersFC<\/a> | #SCCL21<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/CQVgHsQdH3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (@TheChampions) May 6, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n