After losing 1-0 to New England in their opening match of the 2024 Leagues Cup, FC Mazatlán coach Victor Manuel Vucetich made five changes to the starting XI for their group East 5 second round match against Nashville SC.
One of those changes, 19-year old Ramiro Árciga, scored a second half brace to propel Mazatlán to a 2-0 victory over Nashville at Geodis Park. The Mazatlán victory not only spoiled BJ Callaghan’s coaching debut for Nashville, it also earned Los Cañoneros a berth in the knockout phase of the tournament for the second year in a row.
Even with all the changes, Vucetich’s side took control of the match in the first half and never looked back. Every trip into the attacking third seemed to end with a shot. Los Cañoneros lived up to their nickname with 14 shots in the first 45.
Gustavo del Prete forced a diving save by Joe Willis in the second minute after outmuscling Aníbal Godoy for the ball. His shot later in the 10th minute crashed off the post.
Brian Rubio and Árciga also had dangerous chances that were turned away by Willis. Mazatlan would finish with 17 shots, 6 on target.
The home side's best chance fell at the feet of Hany Muhktar at the top of the 18-yard box in the 44th minute. Ricardo Gutiérrez, who subbed in for injured starter Hugo González in the 29th minute, tipped Muhktar’s shot over the bar.
In the 47th minute, a routine goal kick from Mazatlán blossomed into a 6-on-4 break for the visiting side. Árciga received the ball from midfielder Jordan Sierra, ran into the box and fired. The shot took a deflection and Willis could not react in time.
Seven minutes later del Petre connected with Árciga near midfield and the youngster did the rest. From nearly the same angle as his first, he completed his brace with a thunderous blast.
Nashville tried to mount a comeback after Árciga’s second, but did not generate any clear chances to threaten Mazatlán’s lead. Muhktar’s first half chance ended up being their only shot on goal.
All is not lost for Nashville, though. They will need to win outright in New England next Tuesday in order to advance. Mazatlán will have to wait to see how the rest of the tournament shakes out to see who their next opponent is, but it will be someone from either group East 1 or 7.
