Andres Mendoza’s blast from 22 yards out gave the Crew a 1-0 win over Santos Laguna on Tuesday, putting Columbus on track to become the first Major League Soccer team to win a CONCACAF Champions League group in the competition’s short history.
CONCACAF Champions League: Andres Mendoza Strike Gives Columbus Control Of Group B
The victory puts Columbus on nine points through four matches, two points ahead of Santos in Group B, having finished their group stage slate against the Mexican league club. Tuesday night’s victory also reversed a 1-0, August loss in Torreón, where Jorge Estrada’s goal remains the only score against the Crew in this year’s Champions League.
Columbus had the better changes throughout Tuesday's match, with goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum's saves on Carlos Quintero (early in the first) and José Cardenas (in the second) squelching Santos's best chances. Along the way, Columbus was able to generate chances for Eddie Gaven, Mendoza, Kevin Burns, Jason Garey and Emmanuel Ekpo.
It wasn’t until the 86th minute when broken-up inter-play between Garey and Mendoza saw the Peruvian with a chance outside the Santos area. The striker’s left-footed shot went into the right netting to give Columbus three points and control of Group B.
Columbus can win the group with wins at Municipal (September 29) and Joe Public (October 21). Meanwhile, Santos, with matches against the same teams to close out group play, remain on track to earn the second quarterfinal spot from Group B.
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