FC Cincinnati seized control of their CONCACAF Champions Cup round-of-16 matchup with a commanding 3-0 victory over Mexico’s Tigres UANL on Thursday night, putting themselves in excellent position heading into the second leg.
Kevin Denkey led the offensive charge with a pair of goals, while Tom Barlow contributed the other score in what was a thoroughly dominant performance by the home side.
Cincinnati wasted no time establishing their dominance, finding the back of the net in under six minutes. Ender Echenique delivered a perfect pass from the right edge of the penalty area, finding Denkey unmarked just 8 yards from goal for a straightforward finish.
The hosts extended their advantage in the 53rd minute when Barlow finished off a beautiful team counterattack that stretched from one end of the field to the other.
Denkey put the finishing touches on Cincinnati’s impressive display in the 83rd minute. Gerardo Valenzuela threaded a brilliant long ball through the Tigres defense, allowing Denkey to unleash a powerful right-footed strike from just beyond the penalty area that beat goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman.
The second leg of this total-goal series takes place March 19 in San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico. The winner will face either Vancouver Whitecaps or Seattle Sounders in the quarterfinal round.
In the other round-of-16 matchup, Seattle took a commanding lead over Vancouver with a 3-0 road victory. Paul Arriola netted twice for the Sounders, who will host the return leg Wednesday in Spokane, Washington.
Arriola opened the scoring in the 45th minute after a Vancouver turnover led to a Seattle counterattack. Jesus Ferreira provided the assist, setting up Arriola for an 8-yard finish into an empty net.
The second Arriola goal came with some fortune in the 58th minute. Kalani Kossa-Rienzi’s cross from the right wing deflected off a Whitecaps defender and fell perfectly for Arriola to score.
Paul Rothrock completed the scoring in the 70th minute, converting at the far post after a cross intended for Danny Musovski sailed through to him instead.
