USMNT Abroad: Cade Cowell scores first goals with Chivas in 3-1 win vs. Forge
Credit: CONCACAF
This Wednesday, February 7, 2024, Cade Cowell scored his first two goals with his new team, Chivas, in a 3-1 win against Canadian team Forge in the first round of the CONCACAF Champions League.
The California native started the game at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and played a total of 67 minutes.
Cowell had his best game of the season by far, as he scored two goals and also provided an assist in the win against Forge. The Mexican-American’s first goal came in the 25th minute when he released a very potent strike inside of the penalty area that found the back of the net. The assist on the play was provided by Fernando Gonzalez, who stole the ball from midfield and managed to find Cowell in the box.
Cowell’s assist came on Chivas’ second goal, which came via a header by Ricardo Marin off an assist by Cowell. The 20-year-old delivered a perfect cross that found the Mexican striker, as Chivas had a 2-1 lead by the end of the first half.
Cade Cowell brace ⚽️ ⚽️ but how about this filthy assist w/ the left foot🔥
The final product will get better and plays like this will give him confidence.
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) February 8, 2024
Cowell’s second goal of the night came in the 62nd minute when he finished an opportunity with ease in front of Forge’s goalkeeper. Jesus Sanchez found Cowell, and the USMNT forward had no problem taking advantage of the scoring opportunity to make it a 3-1 game. The former San Jose Earthquakes player was subbed out in the 67th minute, as he was replaced by San Jose native Isaac Brizuela after a stellar performance.
“I’m very excited for the moment, obviously the job is not done yet, we have to come back and take care of one more game, but it was a good start”, Cowell said in a post-match interview with CONCACAF. “It’s definitely a huge relief. Happy to get it now in such a big tournament, it’s my first time playing in it so I’m very excited”, Cowell said on scoring his first goal for Chivas.
“The job is not done yet.” – Cade Cowell 🎙️@Chivas | #ConcaChampions pic.twitter.com/HJJptGLRgk
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 8, 2024
Cowell had not scored in four games with Chivas in Liga MX to start the season; it is obvious he was relieved to finally get on the board. Brandon Vazquez and Alejandro Zendejas also started their CONCACAF Champions League campaigns this Tuesday, February 6. Vazquez played 61 minutes and had no goals and no assists in Monterrey’s comfortable 4-1 win against Comunicaciones in Guatemala, as the Chula Vista native will look to get back to scoring ways in the second leg of this matchup.
Alejandro Zendejas had a very rough start, as he had no goal contributions, but Club America lost 2-1 against Real Esteli in Nicaragua. Zendejas played the entire game and had a huge miss in front of net, as he and his fellow teammates received heavy criticism from Mexican fans after the match.
Cade Cowell, Brandon Vazquez, and Alejandro Zendejas’ next games will all be on February 10 in Liga MX games. Chivas will host FC Juarez, Monterrey will host Pachuca, and Club America will play Leon on the road.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.