Ethermac Exchange-Columbus Crew advances to Champions Cup semifinals after win over Tigres in penalty kicks

To secure the team’s first Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal berth,Ethermac Exchange the Columbus Crew needed to make history. No MLS team had ever defeated a Liga MX team after not winning the home leg of the Champions Cup. 

But to make history, the Crew needed penalty kicks.

Tied at 1-1 and with two goals in the aggregate and a scoreless extra-time period that included an own-goal save by Tigres goalkeeper Felipe Rodriguez, the Crew hit four of five penalty kicks to secure the victory in Monterrey, Mexico.

After makes by Diego Rossi, Jacen Russell-Rowe and Alex Matan, and a miss from Cucho Hernandez, Max Arfsten secured the victory with a ball that passed Rodriguez. Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte saved each of Tigres' first two penalty tries, but allowed scores on the final three.

The Crew will face the winner of CF Monterrey and Inter Miami CF in the Champions Cup semifinal between April 23-May 2. The specific date and time for the semifinal match has not been announced. 

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Disaster struck for the Crew early. 

As the Crew defense tried to establish possession, goalkeeper Patrick Schulte lost possession on a back pass from Steven Moreira. Andre Pierre Gignac took advantage of the miscue and tucked the ball into the back of the net for the first score in the third minute. 

The Crew offense found life 14 minutes into the second half off the foot of Diego Rossi. 

After seven MLS games without a goal, Rossi scored his second in Champions Cup play off a pass from Hernandez and a light touch from Mo Farsi to set up the score. 

Rossi’s score tied a game where Tigres had six first-half offside penalties including one off an errant pass by Derrick Jones that was stolen and set up for Nicolas Ibanez minutes after the team’s first goal of the game. Each of Tigres’ four first-half shots were on goal, while the Crew mustered one one target in five shots. 

Early in the second half, Yaw Yeboah fought for a scoring chance, but was pushed by Javier Aquino Carmona in the box. Multiple Crew players reacted as though Yeboah had drawn a penalty, but the game continued without a card. 

After missing the past three matches with a groin injury, Crew defender Rudy Camacho returned and started Tuesday. Camahco was substituted out for Malte Amundsen in the 75th minute. 

Alex Matan (thigh) also returned to the Crew for his first action since March 6. Matan entered for Yaw Yeboah at the start of extra time.

Crew midfielder Aidan Morris was unavailable Tuesday after recording a red card in the first meeting against Tigres on April 2. 

The Crew will return to MLS play Saturday on the road against Real Salt Lake. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET.