Shaq Moore and Tenerife were unable to get the job done at home on Sunday night, giving up three goals to Girona to see their opponents earn their place in Spain’s top flight next season.
CD Tenerife 1 – 3 FC Girona (agg. 2-4)
After the two teams drew 1-1 in the first leg in Girona last weekend, the task was simple for the American international and his teammates: win at home, and the lucrative reward of promotion to Spain’s La Liga awaits.
However, they were a clear second-best on the night, ensuring yet another season in the grueling La Liga 2.
Moore, who missed a likely USMNT call-up to participate in the ultimately doomed playoff run, had a proficient night, standing out as one of Tenerife’s better players on both sides of the ball.
He was one of the team’s more active participants, with 66 total touches, 27 of 35 passing, setting up a pair of chances in the process, while firing in four on-target crosses in 12 attempts, and doing work on defense in winning all four of his attempted tackles and eight of 14 duels.
Samuel Shashoua also returned to action for Tenerife, playing the 25 minutes as they tried to find any way to score, completing all 13 of his pass attempts, while attempting one on-target shot.
Both teams held each other at bay until Girona opened the scoring in somewhat fortunate fashion shortly before the halftime whistle. A distance volley from Girona’s Juanpe from just outside the area took a bounce before deflecting off of Sergio González’s outstretched arm on its way towards goal.
The referee immediately pointed to the spot, and after a short delay, Cristhian Stuani coolly hit a soft shot to the left side, fooling Tenerife keeper Juan Soriano, who had lunged in the opposite direction.
Just before the hour mark, Tenerife did give themselves hope. A dangerous Moore cross from the right began a sequence that ended with Alex Corredera firing a cross from 30 yards out towards the far post, where Carlos Ruiz was waiting to pull the teams even with a stooping header.
Their momentary glimpse of hope was only fleeting, with Girona running away in the last 22 minutes of regulation.
First, José Leon deflected a tight-angled, near-post shot by Alejandro Baena into his own net to restore the lead in the 68th minute. Then 12 minutes later, Moore conceded a free kick in the left flank. Alex Garcia sharply hit his long free kick towards the edge of the six-yard box, and Arnau Martinez rushed in behind the defense to poke it past Soriano to secure the final 3-1 victory.
Stuck in Spain’s second level for another season, Tenerife will already find out the schedule for the 2022-23 season on Thursday afternoon, with the first games set to take place in mid-August. However, with Moore heavily rumored be headed for MLS in the summer, he might have played his final game in the Canary Islands.
