Cavalier hold Moca in Caribbean Cup semi first leg

MOCA, Dominican Republic (CMC):

Moca FC and Cavalier FC battled to a scoreless stalemate in the first leg of their Concacaf Caribbean Cup semifinal clash on Thursday at the Estadio Moca 85.

Both sides had promising opportunities to take the lead, but neither could find the back of the net. Cavalier’s Jerome McLeary launched a powerful strike from a distance in the 26th minute that narrowly missed the target.

At the same time, Dwayne Atkinson tested Moca’s defence with a low free-kick five minutes later, forcing a solid save from Moca goalkeeper Miguel Báez.

In the second half, Clifford Thomas gave Moca their best chance, firing from outside the box in the 51st minute. Atkinson again sought a breakthrough for Cavalier, attempting a close-range strike in the 55th, but Báez expertly blocked the effort.

The Jamaican club continued pressing, and Atkinson’s ambitious shot from outside the area in the 65th minute sailed over the crossbar.

In the final minute of regulation, Atkinson had a last opportunity to break the deadlock, but his shot inside the box curved just wide of the right post.

Báez finished the match with two saves, securing his second clean sheet of the tournament, while Cavalier’s Vino Barclett earned his first shutout in this year’s competition.

The series heads to Kingston, where Moca and Cavalier will meet again for the decisive second leg on October 30 at the National Stadium. The aggregate winners will advance to the Caribbean Cup Final and earn a 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup spot.