Washington (AFP) – Josef Martinez’s 77th-minute strike lifted Atlanta United over Monterrey 1-0 Wednesday but it was the defeated Mexican club that advanced to the CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals.
Monterrey won the two-leg aggregate goals series 3-1 over the reigning Major League Soccer champions. Los Rayados scored twice in the last 10 minutes of a 3-0 home win last week.
Venezuelan forward Martinez netted the lone goal off an assist from Darlington Nagbe, who had a goal waived off in the 83rd minute by a Martinez foul.
Monterrey advanced to a two-leg semi-final against Sporting Kansas City of MLS or Club Atletico Independiente of Panama.
Those teams play their second leg Thursday with Sporting trying to avoid a quarter-final sweep out of four MLS clubs after a 2-1 road loss last week.
The other two-leg semi-final will match Mexican rivals Tigres and Santos Laguna, who eliminated Houston and New York Red Bulls respectively on Wednesday.
CONCACAF is the governing body responsible for football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
200+ Channels With Sports & News
- Starting price: $33/mo. for fubo Latino Package
- Watch Premier League, Women’s World Cup, Euro 2024 & Gold Cup
The New Home of MLS
- Price: $14.99/mo. for MLS Season Pass
- Watch every MLS game including playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
- Price: $10.99/mo. (or get ESPN+, Hulu & Disney+ for $14.99/mo.)
- Features Bundesliga, LaLiga, Championship, & FA Cup
2,000+ soccer games per year
- Price: $5.99/mo
- Features Champions League, Serie A, Europa League & Brasileirāo
175 Premier League Games & PL TV
- Starting price: $5.99/mo. for Peacock Premium
- Watch 175 exclusive EPL games per season