Sounders FC plays pair of preseason friendlies in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY – Sounders FC on Wednesday played a pair of preseason friendlies at the Mexican National Team training facility, drawing 2-2 with Club Atlético Zacatepec before defeating the Pumas UNAM U-20s 2-1. Raúl Ruidíaz, Jordan Morris, Handwalla Bwana and Danny Robles scored for the Rave Green, who continue preseason training camp in Mexico City before heading to San Pedro Sula, Honduras to face CD Olimpia on February 20 in Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League action.

In the first match against Zapatepec, Sounders FC came out with a lineup comprised of First Team players and got off to an early lead via Ruidíaz. In the 14^th minute, Nouhou flew past three opponents on a run up the left flank and crossed to Ruidíaz, who took two touches before blasting a shot from the top of the 18-yard-box into the upper corner to give Seattle a 1-0 lead. Morris made it 2-0 in the 33^rd minute on an assist from Stefan Frei, with the Mercer Island native collecting a goal kick deep in the final third as multiple defenders converged and putting a low shot past the Zacatepec keeper. The 2-0 lead lasted into the final 30 minutes, as the Mexican side got on the board in the 63^rd minute before equalizing with a penalty kick with just a few minutes remaining in the contest.

For the second match, a squad mixed with First Team, Tacoma Defiance and Sounders Academy players faced the Pumas U-20s, with the Rave Green prevailing 2-1. Bwana recorded a goal and assist, putting Seattle on the board in the 20^th minute following a corner kick before assisting Danny Robles’ second-half winner. The University of Washington product poked a through-ball behind the Pumas defense in the 61^st minute to Robles, who scored in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper to give Sounders FC the win.

Sounders FC continues camp this week before facing CD Olimpia in the first leg of Round of 16 action on the Concacaf Champions League next Thursday before heading to Seattle for the return leg on February 27. Brian Schmetzer’s club begins MLS regular season action on Sunday, March 1 vs. Chicago Fire FC at CenturyLink Field.

MATCH SUMMARY VS. ZAPATEPEC

Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Club Atlético Zacatepec 2
Wednesday, February 12, 2020

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Raúl Ruidíaz (Nouhou) 14’
SEA – Jordan Morris (Stefan Frei) 33’
ZAC – 63’
ZAC – (penalty) 87’

Seattle Sounders FC Lineup & Subs – Stefan Frei; Kelvin Leerdam, Xavier Arreaga, Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Nouhou; Jordy Delem, Danny Leyva (Miguel Ibarra* 12’, Alex Villanueva^ 75’); Cristian Roldan, Harry Shipp, Jordan Morris (Danny Robles+ 85’); Raúl Ruidíaz (Eric Kinzner^ 89’)

MATCH SUMMARY VS. PUMAS U-20

Seattle Sounders FC 2 – Pumas UNAM U-20s 1
Wednesday, February 12, 2020

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Handwalla Bwana 20’
PUM – 40’
SEA – Danny Robles (Handwalla Bwana) 61’

Seattle Sounders FC Lineup & Subs – Stefan Cleveland (Trey Muse HT); Alex Roldan*, Shane O’Neil, Sam Rogers+, Joevin Jones; Josh Atencio+, Danny Leyva; Chris Hegardt^ (Eric Kinzner^ 74’), Dany Robles+, Handwalla Bwana; Justin Dhillon (Alex Villanueva^ 69’)