The Columbus Crew, reigning MLS champions, have advanced to the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup after a thrilling victory over Tigres. Goalkeeper Patrick Schulte went from villain to hero, making crucial saves in the penalty shootout to secure the victory for his team.
The match started off on the wrong foot for Columbus as Tigres’ striker André-Pierre Gignac scored an early goal after a mistake from Schulte. However, Columbus showed resilience and managed to equalize through Diego Rossi in the second half. Despite some missed opportunities from Tigres, the game ended in a 1-1 draw and went into extra time.
After a goalless extra time, the match was decided by a penalty shootout where Schulte redeemed himself by saving penalties from Gignac and Guido Pizarro. Columbus emerged victorious with a 4-3 win in the shootout, booking their spot in the semifinals of the competition.
Now, Columbus Crew awaits the winner of the series between Rayados and Inter Miami. Rayados currently hold a 2-1 advantage on aggregate as they head into the second leg of the quarterfinals. The Crew will be eagerly watching to see who their next opponents will be in the Concacaf Champions Cup.