After winning their respective groups with unbeaten records, Sporting KC and Cruz Azul will collide in the quarterfinals of the 2013-14 CONCACAF Champions League in March. Ahead of the home-and-away match-up, SportingKC.com will be providing regular updates on La Máquina as part of the site's CCL Crash Course series. Want to know more about the tournament? Check out our 2013-14 CCL Guide.
Cruz Azul opened the 2014 Clausura on Saturday with a scoreless draw against Monterrey at Estadio Technologico in Monterrey. Saturday's match marked the debut of Mexican national team striker Marco Fabian (pictured, above), who tallied three shots in 88 minutes in his first start for La Maquina.
Mexican national team goalkeeper Jesus Corona, who led the Mexico U-23s to the gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games, recorded seven saves for his first shutout of the season.
Cruz Azul's best scoring opportunity came in the 61st minute when Fabian found Joao Rojas alone at the top of the six-yard box. The Ecuadoran striker attempted to one-touch the ball past goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco but pushed his attempt wide of the target.
Monterrey nearly stole three points in the 90th minute, but Wilson Morelo's right-footed shot off a Severo Meza cross hit the near post and was cleared from the danger.
Luis Fernando Tena's squad will play its first home game of the season on Saturday when they host 2012-13 CCL runner-up Santos Laguna at Estadio Azul.
