It was a clean sweep for all MLS sides in the CONCACAF Champions League, with all five teams making it though to the last eight of the competition.

  • Atlanta 1-0 Alajuelense

A late goal from Jürgen Damm sealed victory for Atlanta United to progress through 2-0 on aggregate against a stubborn Alajuelense side. 

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In the first minute of added time, Ezequiel Barco beat the offside trap and rounded the keeper only for Damm to be in the right place at the right time to make sure of the win against a Alajuelense side who could have tied the game up with a single away goal. Atlanta were the better side and deservedly go through to the last eight of the competition.

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  • Portland 5-0 Marathón

Five-star Portland Timbers cruised through to the last eight of the competition with a thumping 5-0 defeat of Marathón at Providence Park.

Yimmi Chará netted a hat trick as well as Diego Valeri and Marvin Loría adding the other goals as Marathón went down without a whimper. The bigger news from the tie came after the game, however. 

A statement on the official club’s Twitter account claimed that two players abandoned CD Marathón’s delegation in Portland to stay in the US. The club reported the matter to US immigration authorities and is taking legal action for violation of the players’ contracts. 

  • Toronto 2-1 Club Léon

Perhaps the most impressive victory of the week goes to Toronto. After their first leg against Mexican side Léon finished 1-1, the Canadian side could count themselves fortunate not to have lost the first leg.

As it was, goals from Patrick Mullins and Justin Morrow were enough to see FC through. It was a nervous end for them, as Fernando Navarro pulled one back for Léon and Emanuel Gigliotti went close on more than one occasion to levelling the scores - but Toronto advance to the last eight.

  • Philadelphia Union 4-0 Saprissa 

Philadelphia Union swept Saprissa aside 4-0 as they powered through to the last eight of the CONCACAF Champions League.

A brace from Jamiro Monteiro and a goal each for Kacper Przybylko and Anthony Fontana made sure that the Union sailed through after a close first leg that ended in fiery circumstances. Saprissa did not put up much of a fight in the second half and gave the crowd in attendance plenty to cheer about.

  • Columbus Crew 1-0 Real Esteli 

Bradley Wright Phillips opened his account for his new club as the Crew laboured to a 1-0 victory to go through 5-0 on aggregate. 

Real Esteli had a couple of efforts from range, but the Crew were comfortable and eventually broke through the stubborn Nicaraguan defence in the second half. Wright Phillips kept his cool to slot past the keeper after being played in behind the Esteli defence by Zelarayán.

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