Concacaf Champions Cup Leg 2 Tuesday Preview | OneFootball

Last week’s first legs saw a mixed bag of results for the six MLS sides contesting these ties. Two-thirds of the clubs hit the road and put in dominant performances, giving them an edge (and a cushion) as we enter the reverse fixtures starting today.

But two teams stumbled, and will face the second leg on level terms for a winner-takes-all match before their home crowds. Can the MLS teams pull a clean sweep of the opposition, or will there be an upset?

Neither of the two teams playing today are facing the indignity of an upset, but here’s our take on how it should play out.

Nashville SC vs. Atlético Ottawa

Kickoff: 8pm ET / 5pm PT @ GEODIS Park, Nashville, TNBroadcast nationally of FS2 (English) and TUDN (Español). Streaming on ESPN+Nashville SC leads 2-0 on aggregate.

If not for the heroics of Ottawa goalkeeper Garisonne Innocent, last week’s match would have been a lopsided victory for Nashville. He saved four of seven shots on frame, and was let down by his offense who could only muster five total shots on the other end.

Woobens Pacius, who spent last season on loan with USL Championship side Tampa Bay Rowdies, got his first Nashville goal in the 66th minute. The capper came deep into stoppage time as Nashville’s three Designated Players (Hany Mukhtar, Cristian Espinoza & Sam Surridge) combined with brilliant passing interplay to put them up two.

Nashville should be fielding their top side tonight, if only to build on the momentum from the weekend’s dominant 4-1 win over the New York Revolution.

LAFC vs. Real España

Kickoff: 10pm ET/7pm PT @ BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, CABroadcast nationally of FS2 (English) and TUDN (Español). Streaming on ESPN+LAFC leads 6-1 on aggregate.

Last week’s game was over before the clock reached 40 minutes, with LAFC already up by five. It only took one minute for LAFC’s David Martínez to drive into the box, drawing a penalty after being brought down by Juan Capeluto.

The resulting spotkick was dispatched by Denis Bouanga, who would add goals in the 24th and 72nd minute to complete his first Concacaf Cup hat-trick. He could’ve had a first half hattie, had he converted the second penalty LAFC earned in the 18th minute. But Son Heung-Min took that one. In addition to the goal, Son also had a hat trick of assists.

Let’s give credit to España for scoring early in the second half. It made zero difference in the overall game, but gave their home fans something to cheer and goalscorer Jack Jean-Baptiste a fond memory.

Don’t expect much from the Honduran visitors in tonight’s game, though scoring a second goal could happen. LAFC might play it safe with their ‘A’ team, employing a start ‘em, pull ‘em early strategy.