Atlanta United falls behind with 3-0 loss to Monterrey in Leg 1 of CONCACAF Champions League

Two C.F. Monterrey goals after the 80th minute of Wednesday night’s CONCACAF Champions League match against Atlanta United helped give the Mexican squad a 3-0 advantage in aggregate goal count heading into Leg 2 on March 13 in Atlanta.

The score was 1-0 when Monterrey’s Nicolas Sanchez scored on a penalty kick in the 17th minute and the score held there until the home side scored twice in the second half roughly four minutes apart. Doran Pabon scored in the 80th minute, followed by Jesus Gallardo in the 84th minute.

If Atlanta United holds Monterrey scoreless in Leg 2, it needs three goals for a decisive penalty kick shootout and four to advance to the next round. If Monterrey scores, Atlanta will need four goals to mitigate the tiebreaker disadvantage.

Atlanta United center back Leandro Gonzalez Pirez was shown a yellow card in the 76th minute. He will miss the home leg next week after accumulating too many yellow cards in the tournament.

Atlanta United was playing without starting right full back Julien Gressel, who was injured in training earlier in the week.