Alianza, Philadelphia Union play to goalless draw in defensive stalemate | OneFootball

Alianza, Philadelphia Union play to goalless draw in defensive stalemateSAN SALVADOR – Defenses ruled the day as Alianza of El Salvador and the Philadelphia Union played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 series on Tuesday night at the Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador, El Salvador.

The result gives Alianza a 2W-4D-5L record in SCCL matches, while the Union are now 1W-1D-0L all-time in SCCL matches in Central America.

Philadelphia were first to threaten, as a long ball hoofed up field eventually led to a chance for Quinn Sullivan, who fired over the crossbar in the 12’.

Minutes later in the 18’ Chris Donovan looked set to score when he was left unmarked on a corner kick, only to see his header flash over the crossbar.

At the other end, the lone chance for Alianza in the first 45 minutes came via a Rodolfo Zelaya free kick in the 33’ that was comfortably saved by Philadelphia Union GK Andre Blake.

The Union looked to regain the momentum in the second half, and it took a flying save from Alianza GK Mario Gonzalez to deny a header from Joaquin Torres in the 58’.

Things stayed on a knife’s edge going into the final half-hour, with each side keen to find a go-ahead goal, but neither defense would budge, resulting in a goalless draw to leave things wide open going into next week’s second leg.