Cade Cowell just had his best performance for Chivas and he did it on none other than the continental stage.
Liga MX’s Chivas had their Concacaf Champions Cup knockout stage debut on Wednesday when they travelled to Canada to face off against Forge FC, a club that competes in the Canadian Premier League.
En , y , más de 40 millones unidos por el debut con triunfo en @TheChampions ⚪️ #DaleRebaño pic.twitter.com/vzVYZ5CjKo
— CHIVAS (@Chivas) February 7, 2024
The rojiblancos, who were coming off a two-game win streak in the league following their turbulent start to the Clausura 2024, wanted to continue their good form at the cold Tim Hortons Field.
USMNT’s Cade Cowell — who was making his first start for Chivas — was chosen as the Mexican club’s primary attacking threat in Hamilton, Ontario. And boy did he deliver.
Cade Cowell goals and highlights vs. Forge FC | CONCACAF Champions Cup
The 20-year-old’s first big night with Chivas.
Cade Cowell’s first key moment of the game came in the 25th minute when, after a great outside-the-foot through pass from teammate González, the American slaughtered the ball into the keeper’s net for a superb weak-footed finish.
¡Primer gol de Cade Cowell con las @Chivas! ⚽ pic.twitter.com/OrwPOHMxuh
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 8, 2024
The celebration says it all.
This was Cowell’s first goal since September and his first-ever Chivas goal since signing for the club for $3.5 million in January. It took him five games to hit the back of the net.
Just 20 minutes later, and seconds before the end of the first half, a beautifully placed cross from the American into the 18 for Ricardo Marín returned Chivas the lead before the pause. First goal and assist in 45 minutes as a starter.
El gringito tiene cositas, que asistencia de Cade Cowell y Ricardo Marin que sigue con gol pic.twitter.com/mtRYExzWmj
— Carlos Lamb (@CarlosLamb_) February 8, 2024
Both goal contributions with his weak foot.
Cowell was on fire and it wouldn’t take long for him to double his goal scoring tally with the Rebaño Sagrado, sealing the away win in Canada. Run-in-behind and yet another weak-footed finish to score Chivas' third goal of the game.
¡Doblete de Cade Cowell para @Chivas! ⚽ pic.twitter.com/B9f5IQBwvX
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 8, 2024
The former San Jose Earthquakes man’s goal contributions turned out enough for Chivas in Ontario, taking home a comfortable lead ahead of the second leg to be played next week.
Cowell, with two goals and an assist in 67 minutes, was named as the undisputed Man of the Match.
¡Cade Cowell se estrenó con @Chivas con un doblete! ¡Él es el Jugador del Partido! pic.twitter.com/Yc0h0moyTe
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 8, 2024
"It's definitely a huge relief [to score my first goal for Chivas]" said Cowell in a post-match interview. "I'm happy to have gotten it now in such a big tournament so I was very excited" he added.
