MATCH RECAP: Keylor Navas leads Pumas to win in another penalty shootout finish

By Emor Villa

Pumas UNAM came from behind to walk aways with 2 points against Orlando City, in what was a tight match at Inter&Co Stadium. Another big win for the Liga MX clubs after Pumas proved more precise in the penalty shootout. One of the "Grandes" from Liga MX were led by another standout performance by Keylor Navas behind the net.

Los Felinos had to push hard against the purple lions to get their equalizer in the second half and force penalties. Orlando took an early lead when Rodrigo Schlegel scored on a header off a corner kick.

The Keylor factor showed itself in the second half. Navas made a great save on a header after an Orlando counter attack in the 60th minute, that gave his team the confidence it needed to tie the score 20 minutes later.

If Keylor wasn't the player of the match, then it must be Coco Carrasquilla. He would score the equalizer with an amazing dribble that ended with the ball in the back of the net in the 80th minute.

But the win in PK's keeps Pumas out of the top four in the Liga MX table and they will need more points in the coming days if they want to reach the knockout stage of the tournament. Efrain Juarez team will try to add more points in their next matchup against Atlanta United.

REACTIONS:

• Pumas UNAM
  • Keylor Navas
    • "I think the team's personality, the willingness to come back, even with being down we never gave up and we were the better team in the penalty shootout"

PLAYERS OF THE MATCH:

• Pumas UNAM:
  • The Panamanian, Adalberto Carrasquilla, showed his class scoring the equalizer and then the clincher in the shootout

GAME NOTES:

• Alex Freeman showed out with another great performance in the right side of the field. The 20 year old footballer is the son of former NFL star Antonio Freeman. He calls his son "little Trent Alexander-Arnold".
• Oscar Pareja got his second victory against Pumas, as he beat them back in 2019 when he coached Tijuana.
• Keylor Navas' legend continues to grow as he now adds another great showing in a penalty shootout, this time at Leagues Cup.

CARDS/INJURY REPORT:

Yellow Cards:

• Pumas UNAM: Ruvalcaba, Silva
• Orlando City: Alex Freeman, Brekalo, Angulo, Pedro Gallese, Rodrigo Schlegel

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Pumas will stay in Florida to play vs Atlanta United on Satuday at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando.
• Orlando City will host Club Atlas de Guadalajara on Saturday at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando.