The Seattle Sounders fell 2-0 to Liga MX’s Tigres at Estadio Universitario in Monterrey, Mexico, on Wednesday evening in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal series. Ozziel Herrera opened the scoring for the hosts in the 51st minute before a Jackson Ragen own goal in the 76th minute gave Tigres their 2-0 result.
Paul Rothrock had a look at goal on the back post in the 10th minute after an incisive attack on the righthand side, but his effort was blocked at the last second by Jesús Garza.
Tigres nearly opened the scoring in the 18th minute when César Araújo unleashed a shot from 25 yards out that was headed toward the bottom corner, but a diving Stefan Frei pawed away the strike with his right hand.
The Sounders’ best chance of the first half came in the 30th minute off a Tigres slip and turnover in their defensive third. Jordan Morris played a pass into the onrushing path of Paul Arriola, but his shot was saved by Nahuel Guzmán.
Tigres almost turned their error into a goal of their own after they countered hard, leading to a shot from Herrera that Frei got down well to grab.
Seattle stymied several other Tigres attacks in the final third in the first half, deflecting shots and throwing bodies in front of half-chances to quell any danger.
The match took a pivotal turn in the second minute of first-half stoppage time when Nouhou was whistled for a penalty for a foul on Diego Lainez. The foul was originally not called, but the penalty was given after Video Review.
Ángel Correa stepped up to take the ensuing penalty, but he skied his effort over a diving Frei, who had guessed the right way to keep it scoreless at the half.
Seattle had a great opportunity three minutes after halftime when Rothrock had a one-timed chance from the top of the box, but his attempt went over the crossbar.
Tigres found their opener in the 51st minute when Fernando Gorriarán picked up a loose ball in the Sounders’ defensive end and played a cheeky back-heeled pass through for Herrera, who then opened his hips and picked out the far corner.
The Seattle had a gilt-edged opportunity to equalize in the 63rd minute when Cristian Roldan played a beautiful through ball for Arriola, who sent a low cross across the face of goal for Rothrock, but his sliding effort was denied by a kick save from Guzmán.
Tigres was close to doubling their lead in the 75th minute when Rodrigo Aguirre got on the end of a loose ball that fell in the box after Frei jumped to deflect a cross. Aguirre hit a shot on a half-volley that Alex Roldan got big to deflect out of play.
On the ensuing corner, Tigres grabbed their second goal when defender Joaquim rose for a towering header that ricocheted off Ragen for an own goal.
Tigres hit the woodwork in the 81st minute, missing a third goal by just inches on a header from Herrera.
The Sounders will host Tigres in the return leg at Lumen Field next Wednesday (8:30 p.m. PT; FS2, TUDN) looking to erase the deficit and advance to the semifinals.
Tickets for Leg Two of the Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinals against Tigres at Lumen Field are available now. Fans can also attend the match by purchasing a Two Tickets & Two Beers offer for just $48 plus taxes and fees.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Morris back in starting lineup
After exiting the MLS season-opener just eight minutes in with a quad injury on Feb. 22, Morris returned to game action as a substitute over the past couple weeks and finally got back into the Starting XI. He went 71 minutes on Wednesday.
Kingston makes first appearance since contract
After impressing as a loanee from MLS NEXT Pro affiliate Tacoma Defiance this season, the Sounders rewarded Peter Kingston with a First Team contract last Friday. He entered in the 72nd minute as a substitute to earn his first official First Team minutes.
Returning home
The Sounders will head back to the friendly confines for the first time since Feb. 22 while it underwent renovations ahead of the FIFA World Cup this summer. The Rave Green went 5-2-1 in their eight matches away from Seattle, including a nominal home game against the Vancouver Whitecaps at ONE Spokane Stadium in Spokane, Wash., in the second leg of their Round of 16 CCC series.
