By Victor Araiza
Chivas de Guadalajara tasted victory for the first time in the Leagues Cup with a 4-2 win on penalties over Charlotte FC, following a 2-2 draw in regulation at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Liel Abada struck the opening goal in the 11th minute to give Charlotte FC the lead. The Israeli forward connected with a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, hitting it with enough power to get past the efforts of Gilberto Sepúlveda and Raúl Rangel.
Richard Ledezma delivered a left-footed rocket to equalize for Chivas de Guadalajara in the 24th minute, scoring his first goal for the club since joining this summer.
The Mexican giants took the lead in the 66th minute when Bryan González connected with a header inside the box on a cross from Alan Mozo.
Kerwin Vargas pulled off the spectacular in the 90th minute with a free kick goal, sparking Charlotte’s comeback and tying the match at two apiece to force a penalty shootout.
Eryk Williamson missed Charlotte FC’s first spot kick, giving Chivas the early advantage. Luis Romo then hit the left post on his attempt, allowing Brandt Bronico to equalize in the third round of kicks.
Rangel denied Tyger Smalls on the next attempt, setting up Armando González to convert the winning penalty as Chivas took two points. Both sides avoided elimination for the moment but now depend on other results to reach the Knockout Round.
REACTIONS
- Chivas de Guadalajara Head Coach Gabriel Milito
- “For 90 minutes, there was a great collective effort to attack and defend. Ultimately, we do everything to get the result we want, which is to win, and once again, the end there cost us the three points as it happened in the debut.”
- Charlotte FC head coach Dean Smith:
- “I actually enjoyed it. I thought it was a really good game. We played against a really good team, got a good squad, and I thought we competed really well in the game.
- "It's a different experience being at your own home ground and having so many of the opposition fans here, but I did say before we knew they were a well-supported club, and their fans have traveled here today.”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- Guadalajara:
- Richard Ledezma struck from just outside the box to deliver the tying goal in the 24th minute and earn Man of the Match honors
- Charlotte FC:
- Kerwin Vargas tied in the 90th minute of a free kick to force penalties
GAME NOTES
- Chivas de Guadalajara got their first even win in Leagues Cup, entered the day at 0-5.
- Newcomers Richard Ledezma and Bryan González both scored their first goal since joining the Liga MX side.
- Raúl Rangel stepped up in the shootout and made a pivotal save.
- Charlotte goalkeeper David Bingham had five saves on the match.
- Liel Abada and Kerwin Vargas each scored their first Leagues Cup goal for Charlotte FC.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT:
- Yellow Cards
- Guadalajara: Richard Ledezma, Gilberto Sepúlveda, Daniel Aguirre
- Charlotte FC: Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, Nathan Byrne
LOOKING AHEAD:
- Chivas de Guadalajara travels to face FC Cincinnati on Thursday and will hope results go their way to arrive with hopes to enter the Knockout Round.
- Charlotte FC meets CF Monterrey on Thursday, likely playing its final encounter of the 2025 edition.
