Cruz Azul arrived from Mexico City on Sunday ahead of the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday at Sporting Park.
The team trained at the Swope Soccer Village on Monday afternoon, returning to the field after suffering their first defeat last Saturday against Tigres UANL in a match that ended 3-0. Cruz Azul stands first in the Liga MX with an overall record of 8-1-1.
Head Coach Luis Fernando Tena knows that the game on Wednesday will be a tough challenge.
“Sporting KC is a very tough team to play against,” Tena said. “We have studied their style of play since they won the championship. They haven’t changed much this year as for players besides their solid and dynamic style, which will make it harder for us."
While both teams lost their league games on Saturday, the mid-week matchup presents a new opportunity to win again.
“The defeat against Tigres did not affect our mentality, my players are experienced and strong-minded,” Tena said. “Fortunately for us, soccer gives us the opportunity to play four days later and we will try to get back on the victory path.”
Sporting KC, San Jose Earthquakes and L.A. Galaxy are the three MLS teams that advanced to the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals joining Cruz Azul F.C., Club Tijuana and Deportivo Toluca from Mexico, L.D. Alajuelense from Costa Rica and Deportivo Arabe Unido from Panama.
“The eight teams that qualified to the next round are in the quarterfinals for a reason,” Tena said. “It is a very competitive tournament and we respect Sporting KC.”
Speaking more broadly about American soccer, Tena responded to the competitiveness that exists for supremacy in the CONCACAF region.
“It is clear that both the U.S. National Team and MLS have grown a lot,” Tena said. “Consistency is probably the reason that playing against MLS teams nowadays has become such a tough challenge.”
Ecuadorian midfielder Joao Rojas characterizes a confident Cruz Azul side aiming to get a positive result on Wednesday before the second leg to be played in Mexico City one week later.
“These two games against Sporting will be intense because you either advance or (you do) not,” Rojas said.
And according to Rojas, being a top contender to win the coveted CCL trophy does not adversely affect Cruz Azul.
“There is no pressure at all,” Rojas said. “Before thinking about the championship we have to focus on the quarterfinals and Sporting KC.”
Sporting KC All-Star Aurélien Collin won’t be able to play the first leg after being suspended for yellow card accumulation but expressed faith that his teammates will be up to the task.
“We have to get a good result at home because going down to Mexico City will be very tough,” Collin said. “I am confident my teammates will get the win this Wednesday.”
The first leg will be played at Sporting Park this Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT while the second game will be at Estadio Azul on Wednesday, March 19 at 9 p.m. CT.
