SEATTLE, WASH. – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) today announced the dates and times for Sounders FC’s 2020 Scotiabank Concacaf Dates Champions League Round of 16 matchup with Honduran side CD Olimpia. Olimpia is hosting the first leg on Thursday, February 20 in Tegucigalpa before Sounders FC hosts the return leg on Thursday, February 27 at CenturyLink Field, with both matches set for 7:00 p.m. PT.
Seattle’s matchup with Olimpia was determined at the 2020 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League official draw in Mexico City on December 9. After qualifying for the tournament following the club's 2019 MLS Cup championship, the Rave Green are facing the Honduran side to begin the club's sixth appearance in the regional tournament. The 16 teams will compete in a knockout tournament consisting of two-leg aggregate series, with a champion crowned in May.
Placed in Pot 1 alongside the Montreal Impact, Atlanta United, New York City FC, Los Angeles FC, Club América (MEX), Cruz Azul FC (MEX) and Tigres UANL (MEX), the Rave Green are traveling for Leg One of their Round of 16 tilt before hosting Leg Two. Seattle drew Olimpia from Pot 2, which also included AD San Carlos (CRC), Deportivo Saprissa (CRC), Alianza FC (SLV), Comunicaciones FC (GUA), Portmore United (JAM) and Club Léon (MEX).
This marks Seattle's sixth appearance in the tournament, which crowns the best team from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Sounders FC has advanced to at least the Quarterfinals in four of its previous five appearances, highlighted by a run to the Semifinals in 2012-2013. The Rave Green most recently played in the 2018 tournament, falling to eventual champion Chivas de Guadalajara in the Quarterfinals. The Rave Green previously faced CD Olimpia in the Group Stage of the 2015-2016 tournament, winning 2-1 at home before falling 1-0 on the road.
Sounders FC won the 2019 MLS Cup on November 10 with a 3-1 victory over Toronto FC at CenturyLink Field, marking the club's second championship in four seasons. Seattle previously won the 2016 title before falling in 2017, both against Toronto at BMO Field. The crowd of 69,274 provided the largest standalone attendance for a sporting event in the history of CenturyLink Field, as well as the largest for a soccer match in the history of Washington state. The Rave Green begin the 2020 MLS regular season at home on Sunday, March 1 at 12:00 p.m. PT against Eastern Conference side Chicago Fire FC at CenturyLink Field.
