The New York Red Bulls sought a positive result, but had to settle for a 1-0 loss to Chivas de Guadalajara in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions League semifinal on Wednesday at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Mexico.
Chivas took the lead halfway through the first half, when Rodolfo Pizarro forced a turnover near the center circle, then sent a pass up to Isaac Brizuela, who finished on the quick counter.
While the Red Bulls had a few decent chances after that, they seldom pushed goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota. Bradley Wright-Phillips' breakaway chance in the 79th minute was the closest chance for the visitors, but Cota came out and snuffed out the shot.
Their quest became more difficult in the 73rd minute, when defender Aurelien Collin was sent off after picking up his second yellow card of the night. He'll be suspended for the second leg, along with midfielder Alex Muyl, who will be out due to yellow card accumulation.
Goals
- 26' – CHV – Isaac Brizuela
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Chivas have a clear edge coming into the second leg, but in the grand scheme of things, the Red Bulls are in a position where they're still absolutely in the series. That the return leg will be at Red Bull Arena in a week's time is even better, although they will need to come back and overturn the aggregate in order to reach the final.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Little surprise, the goal was the turning point in the game and could make a big difference in the series overall. Tyler Adams aimed to thread the needle to Sean Davis in midfield, but Chivas pounced on a ball that wasn't quite secure and Pizarro and Brizuela were off to the races to punish the Red Bulls.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Pizarro was in the middle of the action for Chivas, and his quality in the middle kept the Red Bulls off balance. Expect him to trouble the Red Bulls again in the away leg next week.
Next Up
- NY: CCL - Wednesday, April 10 vs. Chivas de Guadalajara (8 pm ET | Full TV & Streaming Info)
