CONCACAF Champions League semi-final preview: Club America vs Herediano – Mexican giants aim to overcome first leg deficit

Club America will welcome Costa Rican side Herediano to the Estadio Azteca on Wednesday night for the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League semi-final.

Time: 7pm PDT / 10pm EDT / 3am BST
Date: Wednesday 8th April 2015
Where: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

Despite only being a last minute inclusion in this year’s competition after Belize’s Belmopan Bandits were unable to participate, the Costa Ricans have swept all before them. They emerged from a group which included the then reigning Mexican champions Club Leon and El Salvadorian side Isidro Metapan, before beating Honduran champions Olimpia 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-final.

Club America comfortably won their group, beating the Guatemalans Comunicaciones and Puerto Rico’s Bayamon before dispatching Deportivo Saprissa 5-0 in the quarters.

America were the heavy favourites before the first leg, but suffered a shock 3-0 defeat in the brutal humidity and intimidating atmosphere of Herediano’s Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero.

The away goal counts, so America will have to temper their attacking instincts with the knowledge that a Herediano goal would mean they need five to progress.

The winners will face MLS side Montreal Impact in the final. They beat Alajuelense on away goals on Tuesday night after a 4-4 aggregate draw.

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Here are the highlights from the first leg: