Alan Franco Suspended for Copa Sudamericana Final with Atletico Mineiro

Some red cards sting more than others, and the one shown to Alan Franco in Montevideo is the kind that leaves a bitter taste. The Ecuadorian midfielder picked up his second yellow card in the 74th minute and will now have to watch the final from home: he won't be able to play in the Copa Sudamericana decider with Atletico Mineiro.

The match had been calm for the Brazilian club. 'Galo' was cruising through the tie thanks to the 3-0 result from the first leg, and in Montevideo they were simply managing the game without any real scares. Franco, in fact, was having a solid match, pitching in heavily on defense. But in the 58th minute came the first warning: a foul on Pablo Siles that the referee punished with a yellow card.

Things got worse from there. In the 74th minute, Franco struck Salomon Rodriguez. The referee initially got it wrong and booked Mariano instead. Minutes later, he reviewed the play and corrected himself: the second yellow belonged to the Ecuadorian, who was sent off to the showers.

Down a man, Atletico Mineiro started to feel the pressure. Montevideo City Torque grew bolder and squeezed the Brazilian side, who watched nervously as the hosts crept closer to overturning the first leg's result. Goals from Kevin Silva and Gary Kagelmacher brought the Uruguayan club within a single goal of forcing a penalty shootout. Still, the cushion built up in the first leg proved enough for 'Galo' to seal its place in the final.

The night brought more bad news for the Ecuadorian contingent on the Brazilian roster. Neither Alan Minda nor Angelo Preciado saw any minutes in the tie, and now Franco's absence adds to the list. Remarkably, he will miss his second Copa Sudamericana final while wearing the Atletico Mineiro jersey.

Mineiro Awaits Boca in Barranquilla

With its ticket to the final already punched, Atletico Mineiro now knows its opponent for the big decider: Boca Juniors, led by Enner Valencia, who will look for revenge on behalf of Ecuadorian soccer in the very final where Franco won't be able to take part. The match is set for November 21 in Barranquilla, a venue already shaping up to be the center of South American attention on that date.