With a spot in the tournament final on June 2 on the line, Columbus will look to close out the series when they travel to Estadio BBVA for the second leg on May 1.
Amid a rocky start to the match, Columbus broke through with a deserved series opener in the 25th minute via Cucho. The Colombian star striker produced a clever combination with Russell-Rowe to set up a clinical finish from the top of the penalty area.
The 1-0 lead would not last, however, as the visitors hit back with an all-important away goal in the 58th minute. A gift from Columbus set off Jesús Gallardo on a counter-attack down the left, his cross finding the feet of Maximiliano Meza for a touchline finish.
But the crew ensured they would go into Leg 2 at the Estadio BBVA in command, thanks to Russell-Rowe’s 72nd-minute nod. The 21-year-old Canadian finished a perfectly executed corner routine by returning an assist with a header from Sean Zawadzki.