GUADALUPE, Nuevo León — Atlanta United fell to Liga MX side C.F. Monterrey 3-0 in the first leg of its Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League quarterfinal at Estadio BBVA Bancomer Wednesday night.
The return leg is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Nicolás Sánchez opened the scoring for Monterrey in the 17th minute from the penalty spot. Dorlan Pabón was played in along the right side and was ruled to be taken down by Leandro González Pirez. Sánchez stepped up and went to Brad Guzan’s left, and although the keeper guessed correctly, Sánchez’s attempt put Rayados up 1-0.
Pabón doubled the lead for Monterrey in the 80th minute, receiving a pass from Carlos Rodríguez at the top of the box, dribbling around a defender and blasting a left-footed shot to the left side of the goal. Jesus Gallardo made it 3-0 four minutes later. Pabón sent in a cross from the right side and found Gallardo alone at the top of the six-yard box, who settled the ball off his chest and hit a hard left-footed shot into the roof of the net.
After its third match in seven days, Atlanta United returns to MLS action for its home opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against FC Cincinnati on Sunday, March 10 (5 p.m./ESPN).
