Leagues Cup Round of 16: Matchday 2 Recap

Club Queretaro 1 (4) - (3) 1 New England Revolution

Club Querétaro qualified for the Leagues Cup 2023 Quarterfinals, after winning  in penalty kicks against New England Revolution. After a game full of tension and few scoring opportunities, Los Gallos Blancos managed to maintain their steady pace in the tournament.

The first half was played more in the midfield than in either attacking third. Both clubs focused on possession and patiently looking for an opportunity to strike. That opportunity wouldn’t come until the second half.

As soon as the second half began, Club Querétaro’s Jaime Gómez took advantage of a bad start by the Revs goalkeeper, Djordje Petrovic, and sealed the lead for los Gallos Blancos after 33 seconds. The goal was originally called off for offside, but following a VAR review, the goal stood.

Just as everything seemed to be going their way for Mauro Gerk’s squad, New England’s Esmir Bajraktarevic took advantage of a brilliant assist from Matt Polster to equalize 1-1 in the 77th minute.

During the penalty shootout, Querétaro converted all four of there kicks from the spot, while New England missed their last two (Nacho Gil and Ian Harkes). Los Gallos Blancos will go against the winner of the Philadelphia Union and New York Red Bulls.

Charlotte FC 2 - 1 Houston Dynamo FC

Charlotte FC defeated Houston Dynamo FC 2-1 on Monday night at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston’s Chris Baird opened the scoring in the tenth minute, after an assist from Nelson Quiñones.

Throughout the match, Charlotte FC struggled to break through the Dynamo defense, but everything changed in literally a minute. In the 80th minute, Charlotte’s Patrick Agyemang found the back of the net to make it 1-1

Then, second after the re-kick, Houston defender Micael tried to make a pass to goalkeeper Steve Clark. But he hit the back pass too hard and Clark wasn’t prepared to receive is, and the ball found the back of the net for an own goal. In the blink of an eye, the match had turned into a 2-1 Charlotte lead.

Charlotte FC will travel to Florida to visit Inter Miami CF, captained by Lionel Messi, looking to beat the tournament favorite and reach Leagues Cup 2023 Semifinal. Can it?