Haitian side Violette AC produced a shock first result of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League, defeating MLS’ Austin FC 3-0 in the first leg of the round of 16 competition on Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know:
- The win came in Violette AC’s first competitive game since May 22, 2022 – a span of 289 days.
- Miche-Naider Chery scored the first two goals, both powerful headers from close range in the 13th and 39th minutes respectively.
- The Haitian side’s third came courtesy of the Austin FC defender Amro Tarekwho miscued an attempted clearance into the back of the net after a strong save from his keeper.
CCL fever is a terrible drug pic.twitter.com/NbVBfF29ri
– Tom Bogert (@tombogert) March 8, 2023
The back story
The last time Violette played a competitive game, they beat Dominican side Cibao on penalties in the final of the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship, which qualified the club for the CONCACAF Champions League.
Because of the lack of games and the overall gap in perceived talent between Violette and Austin, Tuesday’s result stands as one of the biggest upsets in the history of the competition.
Violette was playing this, the “home” game in the series, in the Dominican Republic due to security concerns in their country. The second leg at Austin FC’s Q2 Stadium will take place on March 14.
Required reading
(Photo: Erich Schlegel / USA Today)
