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Santos, Rayados have eyes on reaching Elite Eight

By Thomas Buckley

Mexico' s Santos Laguna Javier Correa vies for the ball with Honduran' s Marathon Caue Fernandes during their Concacaf Champions League football match at Olimpico Metropolitano stadium in San Pedro Sula, 180 kms at north of Tegucigalpa, Honduras on February 20, 2019. (Photo by ORLANDO SIERRA / AFP) (Photo credit should read ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP/Getty Images)
Mexico' s Santos Laguna Javier Correa vies for the ball with Honduran' s Marathon Caue Fernandes during their Concacaf Champions League football match at Olimpico Metropolitano stadium in San Pedro Sula, 180 kms at north of Tegucigalpa, Honduras on February 20, 2019. (Photo by ORLANDO SIERRA / AFP) (Photo credit should read ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Two more Liga MX clubs will try to punch their tickets to the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals Wednesday night.

Santos and Monterrey intend to join the Tigres in the Elite Eight of the Concacaf Champions League as they host Round of 16 matches.

The Guerreros have a 4-goal advantage heading into tonight’s second-leg match at Estadio Corona, but Monterrey still has work to do and must win at home against a gritty Alianza side.

Santos in driver’s seat

The Guerreros would seem to have an easy path to the final eight after dismantling Marathon of Honduras 6-2 in San Pedro Sula last week. Coach Salvador Reyes will likely rest several regulars as his club has an important league match at León on Saturday.

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Newcomer Javier Correa contributed a hat trick last Wednesday, while Julio Furch, sub Marlos Moreno and defender Matheus Doria also scored. Reyes utilized his first-choice line-up and his team responded, particularly Correa who completed his hat trick in minute 38.

Correa (pictured at top) was brought in to replace Jonathan Rodríguez up front alongside Furch after “El Cabezón” was sold to Cruz Azul. Although Correa does not have Rodríguez’s speed, he has begu to develop a fruitful partnership with Furch.

If Santos advances as expected, they will face either the New York Red Bulls of MLS or Atlético Pantoja of the Dominican Republic. The Red Bulls won the first match 2-0.

Funes Mori fit

Monterrey has learned what life is like without league scoring leader Rogelio Funes Mori who was rested the past two games for muscle fatigue.

The Rayados have played two consecutive scoreless draws, including last week in El Salvador against Alianza. The Central Americans visit Monterrey tonight hoping to pull off a genuine Champions League shocker. Alianza actually held the Rayados without a shot on goal in their 0-0 first-leg result.

Coach Diego Alonso will have in mind that his Rayados travel to Guadalajara for an important league match on Saturday, but he also knows a loss to a modest Central American club would not be acceptable.

With a deep bench, coach Alonso will have plenty of options but he did announce on Tuesday that Funes Mori is fit, suggesting he will get the start. He has been forced to juggle his line-up through the first two months of the year due to injuries and suspensions.

If Monterrey advances, they will face either Herediano of Costa Rica or MLS champions Atlanta United. Herediano won the first leg at home 3-1.

Red Bulls to protect lead

Like the rest of their MLS compatriots, the Red Bulls are still in training camp as their new season doesn’t begin until this weekend.

Still, the Red Bulls overpowered the Dominican minnows, forcing an own-goal in minute 39 then converting a second in minute 67 when Daniel Royer punched home from in close off a free kick.

Bradley Wright-Phillips leads the Red Bulls attack. The Englishman scored 20 goals last season in league play.

Red Bulls coach Chris Armas will ask for pressure early and hope for a quick goal so that he can turn his attention to his team’s MLS season opener at Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday.

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