Major League Soccer has at least one representative in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals.
Defending league champions Columbus Crew eliminated Liga MX powerhouse Tigres 4-3 on spot kicks after the teams were level 2-2 on aggregate. Wilfried Nancy’s squad used a tying goal from Diego Rossi, as well as a six-save performance from goalkeeper Patrick Schulte.
Rossi’s right-footed shot in the 59th minute tied the match between the two clubs after Tigres broke the deadlock early. Mo Farsi’s pass was slotted home by the Uruguayan, giving Columbus a lifeline in Mexico.
Andre-Pierre Gignac’s close-range finish in the third minute boosted the hosts in front, but Columbus battled back and eventually forced a penalty shootout.
Both Gignac and Guido Pizarro had their efforts denied by Schulte, but Cucho Hernandez’s right-footed effort was repelled by Carlos Rodriguez.
However, Max Arfsten’s fifth-round shot nestled into the back of the net, boosting the Crew into the tournament’s final four.
Club America 5, New England Revolution 2 (Club America advances 9-2 on aggregate)
Liga MX side Club America rolled its way to the semifinals after breezing past the New England Revolution on home soil.
The hosts rode a 3-0 first half lead to an eventual 5-2 second leg victory, thanks to goals from Diego Valdes, Julian Quinones, and Henry Martin. Giacomo Vrioni registered a brace for New England, but it did little to change the final outcome.
Valdes and Quinones scored 13 minutes apart for Club America before Martin added a third goal of the half to give the hosts a 3-0 lead at the interval.
U.S. men’s national team winger Alex Zendejas extended America’s lead to 4-0 in the minute before Vrioni pulled a consolation strike back eight minutes later.
Brian Rodriguez and Vrioni traded goals in the final 15 minutes of the match, capping the aggregate scoreline at 9-2.
Schulte garnering interest from Arsenal. To be honest I hope he doesn’t go to Arsenal. He needs to be playing not sitting on the bench. I think he will be an in demand keeper. But I am starting to think he may be on our Copa America squad now instead of the Olympic team. Might have a shot at being the starter. Really like his ability with his feet. Good passing ranges.
I was traveling and wasnāt able to watch my Crew last night until the last 20 minutes. I had just resigned myself that theyād lose so when I checked the score and saw it was tied in extra time I couldnāt believe it. Schulte is so exciting, heās normally so good with the ball at his feet, never makes silly mistakes like that. To turn it around with some good saves to force penalties and then to save the first two. Heās already won more ābig gamesā than Slonina or Brady. I wouldnāt be surprised if heās the #1 for the Olympics. Full crowd in the Volcan, at altitude, unseasonably warm temps to pull out the win is huge for The Crew and MLS.
Yeah starting to think Schulte will be pushing Turner to be the USMNT #1 for the 2026 WC. But exciting times because the USMNT looks to be headed back to having a deep GK pool again. Schulte, Slonina, Brady, Callender, Horvath, Kochen.