ESPN May 29th, 2023 11:27 pm ET Read: 3 min.
With 0-2 overall, the Eagles qualify for their second consecutive finals in the Women’s MX League.
Monterrey. – A goal from Cassandra Cuevas helped the United States beat defending champions Tigres 0-1 on aggregate at Estadio Universitario and reach their second consecutive final in the Women’s MX League.
Defensively, Águilas played a perfect game after winning the semifinals by a small margin in the first leg at Azteca. Spanish Angel Villacampa’s team showed they have acquired the maturity to handle league games, something they could not do in the previous tournament when they themselves lost the final against Amazonas.
What happened in the first half was unexpected; It did not go back and forth depending on the quality of the plants; It was close and very rough, with friction and plays that endangered the physical integrity of the players, so much so that America’s Sabrina Enciso, due to instructions from referee Martin Molina, could not continue in the second half.
On 13 minutes, full-back Sabrina Nkiso left the field after receiving a foul; She could not continue and was relieved till 18. Two minutes ago there was a head-to-head clash between players from both teams; There was medical attention and medical protocols were used to ascertain whether the players could continue and fortunately they continued.
Tigres was a determined team that did not stop attacking, in contrast to America, who stood well defensively; He produced a good marking relay without being personal. Thus, there was no great depth or great danger in sight of the Amazons. Lisbeth Ovalle sent a shot over the post which was the closest the locals got to the goal; But no one can reproach them for the lack of effort, the desire to open the scoring.
Forward Alison Gonzalez was involved in another risky tackle late in the first half. While searching for the ball through the air, he took a spectacular fall that landed him badly on the grass; He received medical attention, but it was game over. And if six minutes had been compensated, two more would have been added for Allison’s accident. America went to the dressing room to fulfill their duty, maintaining a 0-0 that Tigres could not break.
Back on the field, the referee ruled that Alison González could no longer enter, so coach Ángel Villacampa opted to substitute her for Sarah Laubert.
Sarah’s presence in the Eagles’ gear will be essential to keeping their game safe and attuned to their needs. The Capitals came in quick, with a break that looked like a goal on 48′, but the local defense multiplied and covered the shot. Then, on 51′, a penalty was awarded against the US, but the kick was not marked by VAR.
Tigres took back control of the game while the Eagles continued to play defensively of note; On 55′ he saved his goal with a knife edge sweep. Canadian coach Carmelina Moscato sent in three changes at once, with the clear idea of having newcomers who could try to give another direction to the 0-0 draw.
On 70′, Tigres missed a goal after coming in from the left, but only Belén Cruz tried to define first and the ball hit the post. After a minute, the US did not forgive and after recovering the ball launched a counterattack that would culminate in Cassandra Cuevas’ goal in the 71′ after a serve from Sarah Laubert. 0-1 sealed the Eagles’ pass to the finals.
Neither Ovale’s free kick nor his shot saved by the visiting goalkeeper could beat Águilas, who beat Tigres in front of 20,000 people, and with two wins they continue their quest for the Clausura 2023 title.
