Davila, Long, Quinones, Cordova head up SF 1st leg Best XI | OneFootball

MIAMI, Florida – The 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League semifinals kicked off with a pair of thrilling first leg encounters. There were a number of excellent individual performances over the course of the games, yet these 11 players stood out the most at their respective positions.

GK John McCarthy, Los Angeles FC – McCarthy has earned a second straight Best XI nod after his four-save outing in LAFC’s 1-1 draw with the Philadelphia Union. With three clearances as well, McCarthy helped limit a dangerous Union team to just one goal.

DF Jesus Angulo, Tigres – Angulo is also back in the Best XI after another top performance in the 2-1 comeback win for Tigres. The Felinos were able to keep Club Leon in check the rest of the way after conceding in the sixth minute, with Angulo making three steals and completing 87 percent of his passes.

DF Samir Caetano, Tigres – Caetano was nearly perfect with his distribution, completing 27 of 28 passes, while making a steal and contributing the assist on the Luis Quinones game-winning goal for Tigres.

DF Jakob Glesnes, Philadelphia Union – The center back was an anchor like always for Philadelphia, with three steals and being a force in the aerial game. He also completed 93 percent of his passes.

DF Aaron Long, Los Angeles FC – Long delivered another superb SCCL performance with four steals to lead LAFC, to go along with completing all 23 of his passes.

MF Lucas Romero, Club Leon – Romero was effective on both ends for Club Leon. Going forward in attack, he took three shots and completed 67 passes, while in defense he made three steals.

MF Kellyn Acosta, Los Angeles FC – Despite his handball that led to the Union’s penalty conversion, Acosta had a fantastic night with two steals, 66 of 69 passes completed and the crucial away goal for his team in second half stoppage time.

MF Sebastian Cordova, Tigres – Cordova notched his second goal of the 2023 SCCL to bring Tigres level in the match with Club Leon. He finished the night with two shots in 78 minutes of action.

MF Luis Quinones, Tigres – Quinones continues to wreak havoc in the 2023 SCCL by having a hand in both Tigres scores with a goal and an assist. The Colombian also worked hard on the defensive end with three steals.

FW Julian Carranza, Philadelphia Union – Carranza had another busy night going forward with the Union, with three shots taken and 15 passes completed.

FW Victor Davila, Club Leon – Davila stroked home a majestic goal early on to hand Club Leon a 1-0 lead. He ended up completing 80 percent of his passes and had two steals.