Cruz Azul needed penalties to seal its place in the knockout stage after drawing 1-1 with the Philadelphia Union in the East 4 group on Sunday at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
The Liga MX club advanced 5-3 in the penalty shootout, leaving it in dramatic fashion after being denied from advancing during regulation. The Union were already through to the next round thanks to its victory over Charlotte FC, who was eliminated as a result.
Knowing a win would be its best solution to stay in the hunt for the trophy, Cruz Azul was active offensively in the first half as Alexis Gutiérrez was denied by the left post in the 20th minute.
Carlos Rotondi finally broke through for Cruz Azul in front in the 41’ with a left-footed strike to send the ball to the right side netting and the Liga MX leaders, momentarily, to the top of the group.
Giorgos Giakoumakis struck from the edge of the penalty arc as La Maquina pushed for another goal that would all but assure its place in the next round, but Andre Blake was there for the save.
Dániel Gazdag tied the match in the 88th minute, pouncing on a loose ball in the goal area, to lift the Union into first place in the group.
The 1-1 draw secured first place for the Union but a penalty shootout would be needed to decide the extra point, and whether it would be Cruz Azul or Charlotte FC who advanced as the second place in the group.
Gazdag missed Philadelphia’s first penalty kick in the shootout, leaving it for Angel Sepulveda to decide it in the fifth Cruz Azul kick. The 33-year-old forward, who was part of Queretaro’s Cinderella run in the 2023 edition, struck to Blake’s right to keep the Mexico City team alive.
“We win a really good group, first of all,” said Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin. “This is a great Cruz Azul team. Incredibly talented opponent. One of the best teams we've played all season, for sure. Charlotte's no slouch either, a great team, so to come out with the most points in this group and survive and advance the way we did was important.”
