Lodeiro’s penalty brace has Sounders return home for the Second Leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Final tied at 2-2

The Seattle Sounders weathered an early storm and settled into the game. The surprise was that the  Storm weathered by the Rave Green was not from home side Pumas.  The kick-off at Estadio Olimpio saw a deluge of rain that made for a field soggy and a heavy ball making it hard to execute crosses which is Puma’s favored style of attack.

As a result of the unrelenting rain, Puma’s high octane offense was slowed to a crawl. Despite being unable to move the ball with pace Pumas had the early possession but were unable to create dangerous shots  After the tenth minute it was the Sounders who dominated the run of play using Jordan Morris’s speeds on the left side. Despite the vast space and possession, Morris created the Sounders were never quite able to get that last goal dangerous pass inside the box

While they might have slowed their attack Pumas continued to try and spread the Sounder’s defense. The continued shifting of players paid dividends in the 38 minutes when Xavier Arreaga conceded a  penalty kick when he fouled Juan Ignacio Dinenno inside the box.

With the 1-0 lead, the home side became lethargic in their attack and on defense. The Sounders took advantage of the lackadaisical play and came close to scoring before the break. The Rave Green manufactured a corner kick that was blocked on its way to the goal and saw a header by Joao Paulo sail over the crossbar. The Sounder’s offensive surge went begging and the half ended with the visitors down 1-0.

DANGEROUS LEAD

Out of the halftime break, it was Pumas that was full of determination and vigor to get that second goal. It a mere three minutes for the home side to get a second goal.  Pumas tight back Jesus Rivas sent a curling cross that found a wide-open Dinenno who headed it into the back of the Sounders net to complete his brace.

RESILIENCE

  As head coach, Bria Schmetzer likes to remind fans and press his team never gives up. Full marks to the Sounders who kept pressing Pumas with wide runs from Cristian Roldan, and Jordan Morris. Raul Ruidiaz’s slashing runs inside the Pumas penalty box created space for Nicolas Lodeiro and Albert Rusnak. A  Cristian Roldan towards the goal box forced a penalty decision on Puma’s defender Sebastian Saucedo who was whistled for a handball. Ruidiaz wasted no time in cutting the deficit to just one goal when his left-footed spot kick found its way to the back of the Pumas goal.

CONTINUED ATTACK

The Sounders continued to attack the Puma’s defense from every angle. Runs from the wings, through balls from the middle, and attacking runs into the  Pumas goal box. Cristina Roldan’s streaking run with the ball into the heart of the Pumas’ defense resulted in a clumsy challenge by  Puma’s defender  Efrain Velarde. The Sounders were awarded their second penalty of the game. And without a slight hesitation, Lodeiro rifled the ball back into the back of the Pumas net for the equalizer in the 9^th minute of stoppage time.

Following tonight’s first leg in Mexico City, the series shifts to the Emerald City, where Sounders FC is hosting Pumas on Wednesday, May 4 (7:00 p.m. PT / FS1, TUDN, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM). The continental title is on the line at Lumen Field, along with a slot in the FIFA Club World Cup, a competition no MLS team has ever reached.

With more than 50,000 tickets sold for the second leg at Lumen Field, seats in the 300 level of Lumen Field are still available via SoundersFC.com/Tickets. Fans are encouraged to secure their tickets for this historic match, with one of the largest crowds in Seattle soccer history expected to be on-hand.

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