Late goal lifts Municipal over Puerto Rico 1:0, saves hopes for place in Champions League quarterfinals

The victory was Municipal’s first in five games in the Group Stage, and left it in last place in Group D with five points. But it pulled the Central American club within two of Puerto Rico and Tauro FC with one match remaining. The result also clinched a quarterfinal spot for Mexico’s Santos, which leads the group with nine points.

Municipal will return home to face Santos next week, while the Islanders will travel to Panama City on Wednesday.

Since winning its opening two matches – both at home — in the Group Stage of the Champions League, Puerto Rico has lost once and drawn twice.

Acevedo’s goal, his third in the Champions League, came against the run of play, with Puerto Rico dominating for most of the match. He ran onto a loose ball that pinged into the area and struck a left-footer that slipped under Puerto Rico goalkeeper Bill Gaudette.

Municipal took the initiative early, but Puerto Rico – which hadn’t played in two weeks since the conclusion of the United Soccer Leagues’ season – quickly began to dominate possession and create the better chances.

John Krause and William Yomby both put headers barely wide and Yomby also had a touch that shaved the the left post in the 45th. Pando Ramirez was involved in nearly everything dangerous for Municipal, including a shot from outside of the area in the 42nd that Gaudette initially spilled and had to made a second save on the rebound.

Puerto Rico also had the better of play and chances in the second half, repeatedly threatening but struggling to put anything on frame.