The Seattle Sounders are hosting Liga MX’s Club Necaxa on Sunday on Matchday 3 of the 2024 Leagues Cup group stage. Here is everything you need to know:
LEAGUES CUP PRIMER: Held across the United States and Canada, Leagues Cup 2024 is a Concacaf-sanctioned tournament that sees all 47 clubs from MLS and Liga MX compete in a World Cup-style tournament from July 26 to Aug. 25.
WHAT’S AT STAKE: In addition to region supremacy, Leagues Cup will determine three qualifiers for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, offering a pathway to potentially representing the region at the FIFA Club World Cup.
SOUNDERS GROUP: Seattle is in a three-team group with fellow MLS club Minnesota United and Liga MX side Club Necaxa. The top two teams will advance to the knockout stages beginning with the Round of 32.
MATCHDAY 3 WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT at Lumen Field (TICKETS).
WATCH FOR FREE: Sunday’s match will be available to watch for free on Apple TV. You can also listen in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
OPENING MATCH RESULTS: The Sounders defeated Minnesota United 2-0 at Lumen Field on Matchday 1 before the Loons beat Necaxa 1-0 at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minn., on Matchday 2.
HOW THE SOUNDERS ADVANCE: Seattle will move on to the knockout rounds with a win or a draw. The Sounders can also advance if they lose by no more than three goals.
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: 10-8-7 (37 points, 7th MLS West), Necaxa: 1-2-1 (4 points, 11th Liga MX Apertura)
PREVIOUS MEETING: The Sounders and Club Necaxa played to a 1-1 draw at Lumen Field in an international friendly on March 25, 2017. Álvaro Fernández opened the scoring for Seattle in the 83rd minute before Alejandro Díaz equalized in the 90th minute.
RECENT SUCCESS AGAINST MEXICAN OPPOSITION: The Sounders have been well-acquainted with Liga MX teams over the last few seasons. Seattle rolled past Mexican giants Tigres 3-0 in the 2021 Leagues Cup quarterfinal before dispatching Santos Laguna 1-0 in the semifinal. Despite losing the final to Club Léon, the Sounders exacted revenge a year later when they defeated Léon and fellow Liga MX side Pumas en route to capturing Major League Soccer’s first modern Concacaf Champions Cup title.
LOCAL CONNECTION: The Sounders were buoyed in their opening match against Minnesota by the play of many Seattle-area kids. The first goal was scored by a combination of three Sounders Academy players, with Danny Leyva slipping in Paul Rothrock, who picked out Jordan Morris at the back post. Rothrock found the insurance tally after Morris returned the favor after a turnover on the counterpress.
NECAXA PLAYER TO WATCH: Diber Cambindo, F
Cambindo has had great success on loan from fellow Liga MX side Cruz Azul. The 28-year-old Colombian international has 11 goals in 20 matches in all competitions since joining Necaxa.
