The Seattle Sounders are taking on Liga MX’s Pumas UNAM on Wednesday in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions League Final. Here is everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT at Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City, Mexico. Leg Two will be held at Lumen Field in Seattle on Wednesday, May 4 (7 p.m. PT | TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on FS1 and TUDN.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air on 950 KJR AM and El Rey 1360 AM.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Sounders defeated Honduras’ F.C. Motagua 5-0 on aggregate in the Round of 16, Mexico’s Club León 4-1 in the quarterfinals and MLS’ New York City FC 4-2 in the semifinals. Pumas defeated Costa Rica’s Deportivo Saprissa 6-3 in the Round of 16, MLS’ New England Revolution on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate in the quarterfinals and Mexico’s Cruz Azul 2-1 in the semifinals.
WHITECAPS MATCH RESCHEDULED: To allow the players to have a full week of rest in between legs, Major League Soccer moved the Sounders’ match against the Vancouver Whitecaps that was originally scheduled for April 30 to June 14.
RUIDÍAZ TIME: The former Morelia man loves the spotlight, especially playing against teams from his old league. Ruidíaz scored twice in the Leagues Cup last year against Mexican opposition, and after missing the León series via injury this year, he’ll be primed for another big showing over the next 180 minutes. He scored a massive away goal at NYCFC in the semifinals, and the Sounders will be hoping he produces similar magic in Mexico City on Wednesday.
TACTICAL BATTLE: Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer will be going against Pumas Manager Andrés Lillini. The 47-year-old Argentine took over on an interim basis in 2020 and ultimately won the job, his first head coaching experience.
Concacaf Champions League Final Tickets On Sale Now
The Seattle Sounders are going to the Concacaf Champions League Final for the first time in club history. Come support the team as we take on Liga MX's Pumas UNAM and try to become the first MLS club to win CCL and go to the FIFA Club World Cup!
MLS CONNECTION: Pumas feature Sebastián “Bofo” Saucedo, an American-born former United States youth international. Saucedo was a product of the Real Salt Lake Academy and spent five years with RSL before moving to Pumas in 2020. His goal equalized against the Revolution in the quarterfinals and sent the series to penalties.
DINENNO INJURY: A huge storyline will be the health of Pumas forward Juan Dinenno. The 27-year-old Argentine has seven goals in six CCL matches and leads Pumas with eight goals in league play as well. He is questionable with an injury and how much he plays could influence proceedings.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
- Alfredo Talavera: The 39-year-old goalkeeper was a Liga MX All-Star last year in their inaugural match against MLS. He has a huge 6-foot-6 frame with nearly 40 caps for Mexico and is one of the better goalkeepers in the region. He joined Pumas in 2020 after over 350 appearances with Toluca.
- Nicolás Freire: The Argentine center back will have to carry an extra load in Leg One, as his running mate Arturo Ortíz is suspended because of a red card he received in the semifinals. Freire has logged almost 2,800 minutes this season in 32 appearances.
- Washington Corozo: The Ecuadorian winger is from the same hometown as Sounders center back Xavier Arreaga, and the pair will likely go head-to-head if Dinenno can’t play. Corozo is currently on loan at Pumas from Peru’s Sporting Cristal, and the winger has seven goals in 32 appearances in league play with an additional tally in CCL.
