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After 10 longs days without Columbus Crew soccer, the team is back in one of the biggest games in the club’s history. The MLS Cup champions welcome CF Monterrey in the first leg of this CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal tie at historic Crew Stadium. The fourth-to-last match at the stadium will be the first Champions League quarterfinals for Columbus in a decade and the first competitive match against a Mexican club since 2010.
The Black & Gold started their 2021 campaign unbeaten with a perfect defensive record. Columbus handily defeated Real Esteli in the Champions League Round of 16 with a 4-0 win in Nicaragua followed by a 1-0 victory back home to advance 5-0 on aggregate. The team’s MLS opener ended in a 0-0 draw at home against the Philadelphia Union to extend its clean sheet streak to six straight dating back to last year. The squad is well-rested as they begin a stretch of six matches in a 19-day span.
Monterrey enters this match in Columbus on poor form in Liga MX with three consecutive losses after eliminating Atletico Pantoja in the previous Champions League round. The team lost to Pachuca, Club Guadalajara and local rivals Tigres in the last week. Rayados stand in the all-important fourth place position in the league table on goal difference and will conclude the 2021 Clausura season on Saturday against Mazatlan. Despite the losing run, Monterrey is a club that has prioritized and succeeded in the Champions League, winning four of its previous five appearances.
Lineups:
To be added once announced
How to watch:
Date: Wednesday, April 28, 2021, 8:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Historic Crew Stadium - Columbus, Ohio
TV: FOX Sports 2
Radio: Not available on local radio
Streaming: FOX Sports App, FuboTV (affiliate link)
CONCACAF Champions League Records:
Columbus Crew (3rd appearance)
2009-10: Quarterfinals
2010-11: Quarterfinals
CF Monterrey (6th appearance)
2010-11: Champions
2011-12: Champions
2012-13: Champions
2016-17: Group Stage
2019: Champions
CCL Schedule and Results:
Philadelphia Union 3, Atlanta United 0: April 27, 8:00 p.m.
Toronto FC 1, Cruz Azul 3: April 27, 10:00 p.m.
Club America vs. Portland Timbers: April 28, 10:15 p.m.