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Red Bulls booted from CCL by Chivas despite valiant effort

KENA BETANCUR / AFP / Getty

The New York Red Bulls were eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions League on Tuesday, but it wasn't for want of trying.

Jesse Marsch's side was in the ascendancy for much of the tie, pinging crosses and launching aerial assaults to test Chivas de Guadalajara's resolve. But the Mexican club held firm, advancing to the competition's two-legged final via a 1-0 aggregate victory.

All it took for Chivas to progress was Isaac Brizuela's 26th-minute breakaway goal in the first meeting, and an ability to soak up pressure in the return bout. Rodolfo Cota was tested a few times between the sticks as the hosts exerted a clear superiority at Red Bull Arena, but they ultimately lacked incisiveness and composure in front of goal.

Chivas fans counted for 75 percent of those in attendance in Harrison, according to Goal's Ives Galarcep, and roared their team onto an opportunity to win its first title in the continental competition since the tournament's inaugural term in 1962.

The Liga MX outfit will face Toronto FC in the final.

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