Nineteen-year-old Gerardo Valenzuela logged a goal and an assist to lead host FC Cincinnati to a 4-0 win over Cavalier SC of Jamaica on Wednesday, wrapping up a first-round CONCACAF Champions Cup series.
Cincinnati took the two-match, total-goal series 6-0 to advance to a round-of-16 matchup against Monterrey. The first leg will be played in Cincinnati on March 7, with the finale set for March 14 in Guadalupe, Mexico.
Alvas Powell expanded FC Cincinnati’s aggregate lead in the 19th minute with a tap-in off a cross from Bret Halsey. Aaron Boupendza widened the gap with a 20-yard, left-footed strike in the 34th minute.
Isaiah Foster (71st minute) and Valenzuela (78th) expanded the margin, which could have been larger. Cavalier goalie Vino Barclett saved a 70th-minute penalty kick from Arquimides Ordonez.
Nashville SC 4, Moca FC 0
Forster Ajago recorded a brace as host Nashville zipped past the Dominican Republic’s Moca.
Nashville SC dominated the two-match, total-goal series, prevailing 7-0 to set up a meeting with Inter Miami in the round of 16. The teams will come together in Nashville on March 7 before playing the second leg in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on March 13.
After McKinze Gaines opened the scoring in the 13th minute, Ajago struck in the 38th and 53rd to make it 3-0. Richard Dabas’ own goal in the 45th minute created the final margin.
–Field Level Media
