Cruz Azul Crushes Seattle Sounders in Concacaf Champions Cup
In a decisive victory, Cruz Azul dismantled the Seattle Sounders 4-1 in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 matchup, advancing to the quarterfinals with a commanding 4-1 aggregate score. The match, played at Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City, saw a dominant performance from the home side, leaving the Sounders' unbeaten streak shattered.
A Dominant Display
Cruz Azul controlled the game from the start. Carlos Rodríguez opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, followed by a penalty conversion from Ángel Sepúlveda in the 71st. While Danny Musovski pulled one back for Seattle, Luka Romero and Jorge Sánchez added late goals to seal the emphatic win. This victory continues Cruz Azul's impressive home record in the competition; they've won all seven matches since 2020 where they scored first.
Key Performances & Statistics
- Ángel Sepúlveda, the tournament's top scorer, netted his fourth goal, extending Cruz Azul's unbeaten streak in matches where he plays to 14 games.
- Charly Rodríguez scored his first-ever Concacaf Champions Cup goal, a headed effort – his first since 2022.
- Cruz Azul unleashed 14 shots on target, showcasing their offensive dominance.
- Seattle's 13-match unbeaten streak, the longest in MLS history for the competition, came to an end.
Looking Ahead
Cruz Azul now awaits their quarterfinal opponent, the victor of the Club América-CD Guadalajara clash. Their convincing win highlights the strength of Liga MX teams in this competition; historically, teams winning or drawing the first leg away against MLS teams advance 20 out of 21 times.
This thrilling match underscores the growing rivalry and competitiveness between Liga MX and MLS teams on the continental stage. For fans wanting to know more about the Concacaf Champions Cup, further research into the tournament's history and future matchups is recommended.