Giacomo Vrioni scored a late tying goal and the New England Revolution cruised into the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup after a 1-1 draw against Alajuelense on Thursday in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
The Revolution prevailed 5-1 on aggregate in the two-leg, total-goal series thanks to a blowout home win last week.
New England advances to oppose Mexico City’s Club America in the quarterfinals next month.
In the fourth minute on Thursday, Alajuelense’s Celso Borges made an impressive turn in the 8 yards from goal and fired a shot that Revolution goalie Henrich Ravas saved. Carlos Mora fired in the rebound to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
New England equalized in the 81st minute. Vrioni ran onto a long pass from Esmir Bajraktarevic in the penalty area, then blasted a 12-yard shot with his left foot into the top far corner.
In later action Thursday night, FC Cincinnati was concluding its series against Monterrey in Guadalupe, Mexico.
–Field Level Media