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Columbus Crew record 1-1 draw vs Tigres in CONCACAF play; Cucho Hernandez remains absent
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- Columbus Crew record 1-1 draw vs Tigres in CONCACAF play; Cucho Hernandez remains absent
Facing a strong and unfamiliar Tigres back line, the presence of an offensive threat such as Cucho Hernandez might have benefited the Crew on Tuesday. But for the second match in a row, Columbus' striker was left off the game roster.
"Be patient," Crew coach Wilfried Nancy said after he declined to give an update on the situation involving Hernandez.
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It was a day of anticipation leading up to the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal between Columbus and Tigres. Hernandez's status was kept quiet until lineups were revealed, and severe weather warnings delayed the start of the match.
Apr 2, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew midfielder Aidan Morris (8) reacts to being given a red card during the second half of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal against Tigres UANL at Lower.com Field. The game ended in a 1-1 tie. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports
Two hours after the originally scheduled 7 p.m. kickoff, once the thunderstorms had passed Lower.com Field, the Crew began their match against Tigres, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
In the absence of Hernandez, who leads the Crew in scoring, former MLS Golden Boot winner Diego Rossi recorded his first goal of the year.
"I try to do my best every game," Rossi said. "I have my first goal. ... Now, we need to keep going."
Apr 2, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew forward Diego Rossi (10) dribbles between Tigres UANL midfielder Guido Pizarro (19) and midfielder Diego Lainez (16) during the second half of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal at Lower.com Field. The game ended in a 1-1 tie. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports
Rossi found his opening in the 43rd minute.
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Tigres' Samir Caetano attempted to send a pass from inside his own box. Crew midfielder Aidan Morris intercepted and got the ball quickly to Rossi, who made a move and sent his shot past goalkeeper Felipe Rodriguez.
Prior to the Crew goal, Tigres took a 1-0 advantage at the 18-minute mark.
At the top right corner of Columbus' box, Tigres midfielder Diego Lainez went one-on-one with Yaw Yeboah . Lainez sent the ball to teammate Andre-Pierre Gignac, who headed the ball for a goal to the left of goalkeeper Patrick Schulte .
"It's a long game," Schulte said. "Obviously, you don't want to concede a goal, especially myself. But the way that the team was playing at the time, the sprit, I was confident that we were going to get a goal."
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Early in the match, the Crew had multiple opportunities in Tigres' box but were unable to finish in those moments. The Crew recorded just two shots on goal compared to seven shot attempts in the first 25 minutes.
Apr 2, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte (28) dives but misses a shot from Tigres UANL forward Andre-Pierre Gignac (10) during the first half of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal at Lower.com Field. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports
The second half was evenly matched. In the final 20 minutes of regulation, Columbus was handed multiple yellow cards, starting with Nancy receiving a yellow card caution in the 72nd minute after exchanging words with the referees.
"I try to be in control of everything when I can, but I was not able to do it because this is so obvious," Nancy said. "In term of the call, I don't know, it was so weird. So, I'm here to protect my players."
Apr 2, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew midfielder Aidan Morris (8) leaves the field after a red card during the second half of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal against Tigres UANL at Lower.com Field. The game ended in a 1-1 tie. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports
Morris received a yellow card at the 75-minute mark. Two minutes later, Morris was hit with another yellow, leaving Columbus down a man for more than minutes of play.
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As a result, Morris will be unavailable for the team's second-leg match on the road against Tigres on Tuesday.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Crew draw vs Tigres in CONCACAF play without Cucho Hernandez
