The New England Revolution are on the brink of securing a quarterfinal spot in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, carrying a commanding 4-0 aggregate lead into their second leg against LD Alajuelense. The first leg saw the Revs dominate, with star forward Tomás Chancalay continuing his red-hot form, scoring one of the four goals that left Alajuelense reeling. Chancalay, who is tied with Philadelphia’s Julián Carranza as the tournament’s top scorer with four goals, has been instrumental in the Revolution’s success, contributing significantly to their unbeaten run in the competition.
The second leg, set to take place at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, presents a daunting task for Alajuelense. To advance, they would need to score at least four goals without conceding just to level the aggregate score. Carlos Sancho, an emerging talent for Los Leones, will be crucial if Alajuelense hopes to mount any serious comeback. Sancho, who has shown promise in domestic league play, will need to be at his best, along with seasoned forward Joel Campbell, to break down a Revs defense that has yet to concede in the tournament.
Alajuelense’s Turbulent Week
Alajuelense’s preparation for this decisive match has been marred by instability. Following their heavy loss in the first leg, the club parted ways with head coach Andrés Carevic, only to see interim coach Martín Arriola also depart after a 3-0 league defeat to Guanacaste. This loss was further compounded by the team being reduced to 10 men for most of the match. The club has since appointed Alexandre Borges Guimarães, a seasoned coach who led Costa Rica in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups, to steer the ship ahead of Thursday’s critical fixture.
Despite the upheaval, Los Leones remain third in the Liga de Fútbol de Primera División, though they trail league leaders Herediano by 10 points. The addition of Guimarães brings experience and a steady hand, but whether it’s enough to overturn such a large deficit against a confident Revolution side remains to be seen.
Key Players: Carlos Sancho and Dave Romney
As the Revs travel to Costa Rica, they will not merely sit back and defend their lead, but they are expected to be cautious with their four-goal cushion. Dave Romney, who has been a rock in New England’s backline, will be key to maintaining their defensive solidity. The veteran defender has been a mainstay in the Revs’ defense, playing every minute across all competitions this season.
On the other side, Carlos Sancho’s performance will be closely watched. Known for his creativity and vision, Sancho’s ability to link up with Campbell could be pivotal in breaking through the Revs’ defense. If Alajuelense is to have any chance of staging a comeback, Sancho will need to deliver one of his finest performances to date.
With everything on the line, Thursday’s match promises to be a thrilling contest as the Revolution look to cement their place in the quarterfinals, while Alajuelense and Carlos Sancho aim to defy the odds in what would be an extraordinary comeback.
