Malte Amundsen, a defender for the Columbus Crew, scored the equalizing goal in the second half of the Campeones Cup match against Club America, leveling the score at 1-1. However, Amundsen’s missed penalty kick in the shootout allowed Club America to win 5-4 and claim the trophy.
Entering the final match, Club America boasted a strong defense and a spirited fanbase that was evident in the crowd at Lower.com Field. After a scoreless first half, Club America took the lead with a goal from Victor Davila in the 68th minute. Amundsen equalized for Columbus shortly after, scoring off a corner kick taken by Diego Rossi.
With the game tied at the end of regulation, the match proceeded to penalty kicks for the second consecutive year. The shootout saw both teams make their initial attempts successfully, but tension mounted as the score reached 4-4. Amundsen’s crucial miss hit the crossbar, allowing Nestor Araujo to score the deciding penalty for Club America.
The shootout sequence was as follows:
1. Rudy Camacho (Columbus) – Made (Crew lead 1-0)
2. Diego Valdes (Club America) – Made (Tied 1-1)
3. Alex Matan (Columbus) – Missed (Tied 1-1)
4. Richard Sanches (Club America) – Missed (Tied 1-1)
5. Jacen Russell-Rowe (Columbus) – Made (Crew lead 2-1)
6. Rodrigo Aguirre (Club America) – Made (Tied 2-2)
7. Cucho Hernandez (Columbus) – Made (Crew lead 3-2)
8. Alvaro Fidalgo (Club America) – Made (Tied 3-3)
9. DeJuan Jones (Columbus) – Made (Crew lead 4-3)
10. Victor Davila (Club America) – Made (Tied 4-4)
11. Aziel Jackson (Columbus) – Missed (Tied 4-4)
12. Ramon Juarez (Club America) – Missed (Tied 4-4)
13. Malte Amundsen (Columbus) – Missed (Tied 4-4)
14. Nestor Araujo (Club America) – Made (Club America wins 5-4)
Throughout the match, the Crew maintained a competitive edge and made a total of five substitutions. The attendance at Lower.com Field was announced as a sellout, with 20,198 fans present.
The matchup saw Columbus Crew holding Club America scoreless in the first half, but ultimately, the Crew couldn’t capitalize on several scoring opportunities, leading to their defeat in the penalty shootout.