By Tony Álvarez
It wasn’t easy, but CF Monterrey secured two important points with a 5-3 penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw in regulation against the New York Red Bulls in yet another tightly contested Leagues Cup match.
The excitement began early. The team from the Big Apple nearly took the lead when Dennis Gjengaar struck a shot off the post, but La Pandilla quickly took control. Their first clear chance came in the 12th minute when Germán Berterame unleashed a dangerous shot that narrowly missed wide of the right post.
Despite enjoying more possession, it was the Red Bulls who opened the scoring just seven minutes later. Daniel Edelman delivered a pinpoint pass from midfield to the final third, finding an incoming Julian Hall, who slotted a left-footed shot inside the near post to give his team a 1-0 lead.
Rayados maintained pressure and eventually found the equalizer. In the 38th minute, after a cross from right to left, Ricardo Chávez rose for a header that was saved by Carlos Coronel. However, Sergio Canales pounced on the rebound and buried it for the 1-1 equalizer.
Monterrey kept pressing and nearly went ahead in the 43rd minute. Berterame found himself alone in front of goal after a long pass over the Red Bulls’ back line, but his shot went wide once again, and the teams went into halftime level.
The second half began with the Red Bulls on the front foot. In the 53rd minute, Omar Valencia received a pass from Emil Forsberg just outside the box on the left, but his shot was saved by Luis Cárdenas. Three minutes later, Forsberg took a free kick that sailed just over the crossbar.
Late in the game, both teams had big chances. In the 80th minute, CF Monterrey came close after a Joaquín Moxica header was saved by Coronel, and Canales’ follow-up shot was blocked by a defender. Three minutes later, a defensive error by Monterrey allowed Mohammed Sofo to steal the ball and fire a clinical shot that struck the far-right post, keeping the score tied and sending the match to penalty kicks.
In the shootout, La Pandilla was flawless, with Sergio Canales, Iker Fimbres, Jesús Manuel Corona, Sergio Ramos, and Luis Reyes all converting. The Red Bulls had less luck: although Noah Eile scored their first penalty, Luis Cárdenas saved Alexander Hack’s attempt. Even with two more conversions, it wasn’t enough.
Rayados earned a crucial win and their first points of the tournament, while the Red Bulls—though not eliminated—must now win their group-stage finale and hope other results go their way.
REACTIONS
- Monterrey Head Coach Domènec Torrent
- “I'm only satisfied with about 25 minutes of the first half, which were good, we adjusted to the pressure and played well on the wings, we created many chances, and in the second half we lacked patience. I think we can improve a lot tactically."
- New York Red Bulls Head Coach Sandro Schwarz
- “In my opinion we played a very good game, our guys were active and intense... we were unlucky on the penalty kicks, but we were very satisfied with the guys with how they ended the game.”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- CF Monterry:
- Sergio Canales scored Monterrey's lone goal, his second in as many games this tournament.
- New York Red Bulls:
- 17-year-old Julian Hall scored his first career Leagues Cup goal.
GAME NOTES
- Monterrey's goalkeeper, Luis Cárdenas, saved a crucial penalty in the shootout that proved to be the difference.
- Monterrey were the more active team in the attacking third, with 55% possession and 12 crosses compared to just one for the Red Bulls.
- Despite the tough loss in the opener of Leagues Cup, Monterrey now has three wins in their last four games.
- Different to most teams this tournament the Red Bulls have played two low scoring games, a 1-0 win and now a 1-1 penalty loss.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards
- Monterrey: Víctor Guzmán
- New York Red Bulls: Ronald Donkor, Mohammed Sofo, Daniel Edelman
LOOKING AHEAD
- CF Monterrey will play their third game against Charlotte FC on August 7, hoping for three more points that may be enough to get them through to the Knockout Stage.
- New York Red Bulls will play their third game against FC Juárez on August 7, looking for three more points to reach six hoping to be enough to advance to the Knockout Stage.
