Second half push not enough as Union bow out of Concacaf Champions Cup following draw vs. Club América

The Union and Club América played to a 1-1 draw at Estadio de la Ciudad de los Deportes on Wednesday night in the final leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup round-of-16 series.

While a draw halted the Union’s four-game losing streak, the result still eliminated the club from the Champions Cup. The Union entered Wednesday night’s match down on aggregate after América claimed a 1-0 win in the first leg of the series at Subaru Park.

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América will advance to the quarterfinals of the Champions Cup, where it will face Nashville SC, which beat Inter Miami on Wednesday. It also marked the second time the Union have been eliminated from the Champions Cup in the round of 16, joining their 2024 exit to Liga MX side Pachuca.

After conceding a goal to América in the sixth minute, the Union tied the match with a penalty, taken by Jesús Bueno, in the 49th minute.

While Bueno’s goal tied the match, the Union still trailed, 2-1, in the aggregate score. Another goal would have won the Union the match and the series, but the Union did not find the back of the net again.

“I’m really proud of the push,” Union manager Bradley Carnell said. “ … We lost the series, but I feel today, as a group, after the struggles we’ve had in recent times, we win as a group.”

Rodrigo Dourado opened the scoring with a header in the sixth minute after América earned a free kick from the left wing. Raphael Veiga took the set piece and delivered a cross to an unmarked Dourado in front of goal who beat Union goalkeeper Andrew Rick.

“The mission was to get to half at zeros,” Carnell said. “Unfortunately, we [conceded] very early, and when you concede here, at this stadium, against that team after five minutes, the result could go another way.”

It looked as if Alejandro Zendejas added a second goal for América in the 22nd, running through on goal and chipping Rick, but the goal was disallowed after a video review determined Zendejas was offside.

Sebastián Cáceres was issued the game’s first yellow card in the 29th minute after tacking Nathan Harriel from behind just outside the 18-yard box. The Union were awarded a free kick from the right edge of the penalty area, but Milan Iloski’s delivery was too close to América goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota, who was able to collect it before any Union player could reach it.

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Club América had another scoring opportunity reversed after video review in the fourth minute of first half stoppage time. América was awarded a penalty after Jovan Lukić appeared to block a shot with his arm inside the penalty area, but video review determined the Union midfielder blocked the ball with the side of his torso, reversing the call on the field.

Needing at least two goals to advance at halftime, Carnell made a couple of changes coming out of the locker room. Bruno Damiani entered the game for Stas Korzeniowski, and Frankie Westfield came on to replace Geiner Martinez.

Bringing on Westfield paid off quickly for Carnell, as the right back was brought down by Zendejas inside the 18-yard box in the 48th minute. Bueno stepped up to take the penalty, sending Cota the wrong way with a stutter-step and placing a shot into the left side of the net.

“[Bueno] was the designated penalty kick taker,” Carnell said. “Nothing but credit to him. He took this personal tonight. He played like it meant a lot. It meant the world to him, and he emptied the tank. I’m really proud of him and with the performance.”

Bueno’s penalty is the first goal the Union have scored against América in four meetings between the two teams.

Cavan Sullivan exited the match in the 63rd minute, with Danley Jean Jacques replacing him in midfield.

Still searching for a second goal, Carnell brought Malik Jakupovic into the match in the 72nd minute. The 16-year old forward, who made his professional debut in the Union’s 7-0 Champions Cup opening round win over Defence Force, replaced Indiana Vassilev.

Philippe Ndinga entered the game in the 82nd minute, replacing Japhet Sery Larsen. Ndinga was quickly issued a yellow card in the 83rd for a late tackle against América’s Érick Sánchez.

“Everybody who came on [was] really excellent,” Carnell said. “I think that’s such a demanding position for us. I think you could see the fatigue setting in into everybody as the game went on, and I think the subs that came in had massive impact.”

The Union will return to Subaru Park to face the Chicago Fire on Saturday (4:30 p.m., Apple TV).

After their match against Chicago (1-2-1, 4 points), the Union have a two-week break in their Major League Soccer schedule to accommodate FIFA’s international match window. The Union will return to play on April 4 on the road against Charlotte FC.