Inter Miami CF defeated 1-2 to LIGA MX side C.F. Monterrey tonight in a hard-fought first leg of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals. The team's Chase Stadium goal came from defender Tomás Avilés.
Inter Miami will try to reverse the aggregate result in the second leg at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, México on Wednesday, April 10 at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Inter Miami opened with captain Drake Callender in goal, Marcelo Weigandt, Avilés, Nicolás Freire, and Jordi Alba in defense, Sergio Busquets, David Ruiz, and Diego Gómez in midfield, and Julian Gressel and Robert Taylor flanking Luis Suárez in attack.
Early in the encounter, both teams had offensive chances. Inter Miami took the lead in the 19th minute. After Gressel's corner kick, center back Avilés scored with a first-time, right-footed finish inside the area. This was Avilés' first season goal and his second since joining the Club last summer. Gressel's first Concacaf Champions Cup assist and fourth in 2024.
The second half was competitive with both teams defending well. After Inter Miami lost a player, Monterrey took the lead with goals from winger Maximiliano Meza in the 70th minute and midfielder Jorge Rodríguez in the 89th minute.
Inter Miami lost 1-2 to Monterrey in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals.
I thought we competed well, and that's what matters. I think it was a learning experience for the Club and our younger players, and we played up to the match's high standards," remarked head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino.
Inter Miami will play the Colorado Rapids at Chase Stadium on Saturday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m. ET in their debut MLS meeting. On Wednesday, April 10, at 10:30 p.m. ET, the squad will finish the Concacaf Champions Cup tie at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, México.
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