April 7 — In a cagey Champions Cup quarter final at Geodis Park in Nashville, Club América showed why they are a continental force to be reckoned with, securing a 0-0 draw to take back home to Mexico next Tuesday for the second leg.
For Nashville, who for much of the game looked the most likely to score, they at least have the advantage of no away goals against them. Club América will have to win as they return to their refurbished Azteca Stadium home if they are to go through to the semi-finals.
Nashville opened brightly. Cristian Espinosa both had early chances in the 7th minute, with Espinosa getting a second chance in the 9th followed by a Patrick Yazbek shot from outside the box that was just over Rodolfo Cota’s bar.
Club América were on the back foot but still had an air of control with Coto masterful in managing his defence.
América first real chance game in the 30th minute and it was the closest to breaking the deadlock. A shot from the ever-lively Alex Zendejas from the centre of the box was well saved by Nashville keeper Brian Schwake.
The pattern of the half continued with Sam Surridge, Mukhtar and ReedBaker-Whiting all missing chances for Nashville as BJ Callaghan’s side enforced their high press that has been so effective in the MLS.
But against América it is a different story with the Mexicans comfortable on the ball in their own half, and a resolute defensive challenge led by Erick Sánchez when they don’t have the ball.
The second half followed a similar pattern with the best Nashville chances falling to Surridge on 56 minutes and Mukhtar soon after.
Club América absorbed the pressure and following the pattern of their previous Champions Cup ties this season, changed the pace of their game in the last 10 minutes as they sought that all-important away goal. Two good chances fell to Raúl Zúñiga, first missing and secondly seeing a solid Schwake save his 87th minute shot.
Both keepers had been outstanding en route to their clean sheets.
As the clock ticked into added time Nashville almost snatched a win with an Alex Muyl opportunity going over the bar and a frustrated Surridge thwarted again.
Nashville nearly had the winner in the 87’, but the effort from Raúl Zúñiga was ultimately saved by Schwake.
This was Club América’s fourth consecutive clean sheet in their past four away Champions Cup matches against MLS teams, dating back to September 2021.
All square as they now head to Estadio Banorte in Mexico City for the winner takes all finale.
Champions Cup Quarter Final 1st leg – Nashville 0 Club América 0
2nd Leg, April 14, 8.30pm KO, Estadio Banorte (Azteca), Mexico City