PANAMA CITY, Panama – Guillermo Sierra scored early in the second half and host Chorrillo FC earned a 1-0 win over Honduras Progreso in the first-ever Scotiabank CONCACAF League game on Tuesday at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez.
The Round of 16 result means that the Fiebre Amarilla needs only a draw to secure a place in the quarterfinals, when the sides meet again on August 9 at the Estadio Francisco Morazan in San Peedro Sula, Honduras.
In a match brimming with end-to-end action, the only goal was struck in the in the 47th minute. Oscar Villarreal gained possession of his right-sided corner kick that wasn’t fully cleared. The 22-year-old midfielder bounced a pass towards the six-yard box, where an unmarked Sierra reacted quickly to glance a header into the left side of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Villarreal nearly put Chorrillo ahead in the 19th minute, only for goalkeeper Woodrow West to make a tremendous save fully outstretched to his right.
Honduras Progreso had opportunities to score, but Jerrel Britto’s shot from the left side of the box flashed across the net in the 40th minute.
Two minutes later, a snapped effort from the right side of the box by Jose Garcia was well saved by Chorrillo goalkeeper Miguel Vargas. The ball ultimately bounced to Franklyn Morales, who headed over the crossbar.
With five minutes left in normal time, Britto hit the outside netting to halt Honduras’ scoring opportunities.