Forge FC were eliminated from the 2021 Concacaf League on Wednesday night, as a 0-0 draw at Estadio Tiburcio Carías Andino wasn't enough to see the CPL club advance to the final, losing on away goals. Omar Browne had the first good shot on goal of the match in the 11th, as the Forge FC attacker fired a left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area. Browne's shot, to the goalkeeper's right, forced a big diving stop from Jonathan Rougier. The home side came close a few minutes later with their first big chance of the match. A lobbed pass into the box found the head of Roberto Moreira, but the Paraguayan attacker was unable to take advantage, heading the ball just wide of Triston Henry's net. Henry was tested again in the 24th minute as a high ball into the box looked destined for the roof of his net. He jumped to catch it and brought it down with him, landing inside the goal with his arms extended to show that the ball hadn't crossed the line. It was certainly close, but the referee gave the Forge goalie the benefit of the doubt. Late in the half, Forge came close again. Running onto a perfectly-weighted pass into space from Mo Babouli, Kwame Awuah won a race against Motagua defender Raul Santos, before curling a cross into the penalty area. Josh Navarro, who scored in the first leg, got a touch on the cross, redirecting it toward goal, but couldn't keep his shot down and it flew just over the bar. Motagua were on the front foot for large parts of the opening half, but Forge had their fair share of chances as well, but neither side was able to take advantage. They had a lot of the momentum in the second half as well, but were unable to find a goal. Henry, the busier of the two goalkeepers, was called upon a few more times in the second 45. In the 62nd minute he made a diving stop at his near post, and 12 minutes later made the best save of the match. After a cross in from the right side met the head of a Motagua attacker, Henry was forced to make an impressive save from close range, pushing the hard shot away to his left. Motagua had a chance to put the tie to bed with about five minutes left in the match, but Gonzalo Klusener missed the easiest of tap-ins. After a low cross along the six yard box found him, his shot popped up into the air and the ball landed on the roof of the net. It was easier to score than miss, but it was a lifeline for The Hammers. The CPL side were running out of time to find the winning goal they needed, and it would never come. Motagua advance to the final on away goals after drawing 2-2 in leg one last week. With the victory, they will take on Guatemalan side Comunicaciones in the final. Forge FC, meanwhile, have to bounce back quickly as they play in their third-consecutive Canadian Premier League final on Sunday. They will host Pacific FC at Tim Hortons Field, looking to lift the North Star Shield for the third season in a row.
BOX SCORE Goals none Discipline 39' -- Yellow: Roberto Moreira (Motagua) 90+1′ — Yellow: Paolo Sabak (Forge FC)

Continue reading...