By Mariana Smithfield

Game Notes, Stats Columbus Crew v Houston Dynamo

https://stconcacafwp001.blob.core.windows.net/media/g4fo5szv/eng-clb-vs-hou-r162-ccc24.pdf

MIAMI, Florida – The Houston Dynamo will try to rebound from their heartbreaking first leg loss to the Columbus Crew when the two sides meet again in their 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 series on Tuesday night in the second leg at Lower.com field in Columbus, Ohio.

The Dynamo and Crew appeared to be headed for a scoreless draw in last week’s first leg in Houston, only to see Alexandru Matan score with just seconds remaining to hand Columbus a 1-0 victory with the crucial away goal.

Houston will now try to return the favor with a victory in the second leg, but they will need to reverse their trend of away results in Champions Cup. In 19 matches away from home in the tournament, the Dynamo have just two victories, the last coming in 2019 in a 1-0 win in Guatemala against Guastatoya in the Round of 16.

The Houston attack will need to find their groove to at least get back on level terms on aggregate. Aliyu Ibrahim could be the man to do it. The 22-year-old had two shots in the first leg and got good support in midfield from Jan Gregus, who completed 88 percent of his passes and made two ball recoveries.

Houston will need another strong effort from GK Steve Clark, who has amassed nine saves in the tournament in three matches and has two clean sheets in five career Champions Cup matches.

Columbus are trying to get to their first Champions Cup quarterfinal since the 2021 tournament and are in good position thanks to their first leg win.

Their history of home matches in the Champions Cup should make the Crew feel very confident about advancing. In their last six Champions Cup matches at home, Columbus have recorded five clean sheets, the lone blemish being a 2-2 draw with Monterrey in that 2021 quarterfinal.

In addition to Matan, Columbus can turn to Aidan Morris and Cucho Hernandez for attacking options. Morris assisted on the Matan goal and led the team with 62 passes, while Hernandez had five shots as a halftime substitute last week in the first leg.

Match Officials Columbus Crew (USA) vs Houston Dynamo (USA)

REF:         OSHANE NATION (Jamaica)

AR1:         CALEB WALES (Trinidad and Tobago)

AR2:         OJAY DUHANEY (Jamaica)

4TH:         RUBIEL VAZQUEZ (USA)

VAR:        OSCAR MACIAS (Mexico)

VAR1:      DANEON PARCHMENT (Jamaica)

COURTESY CONCACAF COMMUNICATIONS