Three things that will impact Sounders vs Puma Champions League Final

After playing to a 2-2 draw last Wednesday in Mexico City in the first leg of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Final, Sounders FC and Liga MX side Pumas UNAM are set to face-off tonight in the second leg at Lumen Field (7:00 p.m. PT / FS1, TUDN, 93.3 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM). Over 67,000 are set to be in attendance tonight as the Rave Green look to become the first MLS team to lift the continental trophy. Despite the hype both teams have the  offensive prowess to score goals. Here are three things to watch for.

HOME CROWD ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGE

The Emerald City has been awash in Rave Green all week and  it’s been a week of celebration , reminiscing and dreams of what could be. Soccer games are rarely won in  the first twenty minutes. Those first twenty minutes of  a soccer are vital in that they set the tone for the game. The first  stake in the ground. Who and what that stake  will be of vital importance?

Will the cheering, chanting and  singing crowd spur the Sounders to bust out of the gates  breathing fire push forward for an early goal? If the Sounders start out on the front foot how will Pumas react? Will the visitors throw in a high press early to take  of advantage a reckless Sounders side?  Will the Sounders  start with a high and composed press that will try to force PUMAS into an early mistake ?  How will the crowd affect PUMAS composure early in the game?

HALFTIME ADJUSTMENT

Regardless of the score. Who will make the best halftime adjustments? Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer is one of the best coaches at making  effective tactical changes at half time. The advantage goes to the Sounders because of their deep bench but that is no knock-on Pumas coach Adres Lillini. Puma’s  strategy of streaking down the flank then crossing the ball into the box  worked to perfections in the first leg and if the game is close at half Lillini could tinker with that strategy  confuse the  Sounders. In the first Leg Lillini surprised the Sounders by sitting back for the first ten minutes of the game. The point is both coaches know their teams well and  more  willing to completely change their strategies. 

WHO WANTS TO MAKE HISTORY

Both sides will have a chance to  make history for their clubs. For the Sounders a winner would give them the distinction of being the first MLS Team  to win the CONCACAF Champion League Trophy. For Pumas this would be their fourth Champions League Trophy. Pumas is a proud club  that is coming off an impressive 2-0 league play victory that stopped a two-game  league losing streaking and clinched a spot in the Liga MX Playoffs.  Pumas forward  Juan Ignacio Dinneno recorded the brace. If that name and script sound familiar and it should Dinneno recorded a brace in last week’s   game between the two clubs.

 Which of the two teams will have the extra drive and determination to cross the finish line ? Look for fast paced physical game that will be decided in the last  20 minutes of the second half.