CCL Roundup: Montréal opens with victory, Alajuelense holds Cruz Azul
Montréal 1 – C.D. FAS 0
Marco Di Vaio provided the Impact with the necessary start in Group 3 by nodding home the winner in the first half. Di Vaio drifted away from his marker at the back post and turned Felipe Martins’ cross inside the far post to stake the home side to the lead at Stade Saputo. Hassoun Camara ensured a nervy end to the affair with his second-half dismissal, but Frank Klopas’ side navigated through the final 20 minutes to claim the points.
Cruz Azul 1 – Alajuelense 1
The defending champions spurned the chance to take firm hold in Group 6 after settling for a draw at Estadio Azul. Christian Giménez became the fifth player to score in four different editions of the Champions Legaue and set La Maquina on course for maximum points when he converted from the spot after 54 minutes. Armando Alonso responded 10 minutes later to give the Costa Ricans a surprising share of the spoils.
Isidro Metapan 2 – Club León 4
José Maria Cardenas scored twice in the second half to guarantee the points for the reigning Mexican champions at Estadio Jorge Calero Suarez. Darley De Jesus supplied the perfect start for the visitors after seven minutes, but Hector Ramos restored parity for the Salvadoran side six minutes later. León promptly reclaimed the lead through Luis Zamora and then stretched the advantage when Cardenas struck twice in the final half hour. Ramos snatched his second three minutes from time, but the late riposte did not alter the course of the night or improve Metapan’s chances of emerging from Group 7.
Alpha United 0 – C.D. Olimpia 1
Olimpia kept its expected challenge to Portland on track with a narrow victory in Guyana. Albert Ellis separated the teams at Guyana National Stadium with his strike after 16 minutes to give the Hondurans a vital triumph in their quest to topple the Timbers in Group 5.
