ORLANDO – After losing three CONCACAF Champions League finals in four seasons Mexican powerhouse Tigres has finally won North America’s biggest soccer tournament. The Liga MX side came from behind to shatter American side Los Angeles FC 2-1 at Exploria Stadium on Tuesday night.
The MLS side hit the lead on a near perfect goal when the Angels worked the ball from right back all the way up for the star of the side, Diego Rossi to snag the opening goal in the 61st minute. The opener coming that late seemed like it would be enough, especially with LAFC committing fouls to break up the Tigres defense but it wasn’t to be.
The Monterrey based side worked hard to get back in to the match, passing the ball out from the back to heap pressure on the Californians. That work allowed Hugo Ayala to head home the equalizer just 11 minutes after going behind.
Six minutes from time former French International Andre-Pierre Gignac capping off a great run from Luis Rodriguez. He made his run up the right and found Gignac who ran onto the ball and fired it powerfully out of the reach of the keeper.
Given Gignac was involved in all three losses it was a special moment for him and it showed in his emotional celebration. The veteran promised he wouldn’t retire until he helped Tigres win “that damn trophy” so perhaps now he can enjoy retirement after just turning 35 this month.
The win makes it 15 wins in a row for Liga MX sides with the last non-Mexican winner of the trophy being Saprissa from Costa Rica in 2005. For MLS the long wait continues having not won since the old Champion’s Cup days when LA Galaxy won the knockout tournament in 2015.
Photo: Club Tigres
Florida Soccer Report 