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Round One of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup finished on Thursday, February 29 after 22 exciting matches.
There were many excellent individual performances over the course of the last three weeks, yet these 11 players stood out the most at their respective positions.
Goalkeeper
Steve Clark, Houston Dynamo – Clark made big saves in both legs of the Houston Dynamo’s series with St. Louis SC, ultimately helping the Texan side prevail via the away goal tiebreaker following a 2-2 draw on aggregate. Clark had six saves and seven clearances, while completing 100 percent of his passes.
Defenders
Bret Halsey, FC Cincinnati – Halsey was a thorn in the side of the Cavalier defense with three assists and 90 percent of passes completed. He also had a steal and a clearance.
Hector Moreno, Monterrey – The decorated center back was superb in 140 minutes of action with a goal, two steals and four clearances.
Jose Castillo, Chivas – The Guadalajara-based club got a massive performance from Castillo against Forge FC, with a goal and three clearances, while completing more than 94 percent of his passes. He was the Player of The Match in the 2-1 Chivas second leg victory.
Midfielders
Daniel Gazdag, Philadelphia Union – Gazdag was immense for Philadelphia against Saprissa, supplying a pair of assists in the first leg and finishing with four steals.
Luciano Acosta, FC Cincinnati – FC Cincinnati’s midfield wizard orchestrated a near-perfect series for the MLS side versus Cavalier, contributing an assist, taking six shots and completing more than 85 percent of his passes. He earned Player of The Match honors in the 2-0 first leg win in Jamaica.
Rafael Carioca, Tigres – Tigres overcame a tough challenge from the Vancouver Whitecaps thanks in large part to Carioca. He completed almost 94 percent of his passes and had four steals to go along with four shots.
Tomas Chancalay, New England Revolution – Chancalay scored in both legs for New England against CA Independiente, including the winning goal in the first leg in Panama to claim the Player of The Match. He also had a steal and a clearance.
Forwards
Julian Carranza, Philadelphia Union – Carranza notched a hat-trick in the Union’s first leg at Saprissa to earn Player of The Match honors and then tacked on another score in the second leg, finishing with four goals to lead all players in Round One. Carranza worked hard in defense as well, with three steals.
Cade Cowell, Chivas – Cowell’s Champions Cup debut against Forge FC was a memorable one, as he bagged a brace and chipped in with an assist in the 3-1 first leg win, claiming Player of The Match honors. He also had a steal and finished with five shots.
Facundo Torres, Orlando City SC – Orlando City earned their first ever Champions Cup win thanks in part to the two goals scored by Torres in the 3-0 first leg win at Cavalry, earning the distinction of Player of The Match. He also had a steal and an assist over the two legs.
