The Sounders took a leg up in game one of their two-game Concacaf Champions Cup tie with a 3-1 victory over Antigua. Goals from Paul Arriola, Pedro de la Vega, and Albert Rusnáck put the Rave Green in a commanding position to advance to round Two and face Cruz Azul. Yes, we are jumping the gun here. The Sounders would have to lose by a three-goal aggregate score. Antigua proved it has the firepower to score against the Rave Green. Three goals? It’s highly unlikely, but since no game has ever been won on paper, the two teams will play face-off Wednesday Night at Lumen Field.
MATCH NOTES
- Following today’s result, Sounders FC now hosts the second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round One matchup next Wednesday, February 26 on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field. Should Seattle advance, it would face Liga MX side Cruz Azul in the Round of 16.
- Tonight marked the first all-time meeting between Sounders FC and Antigua GFC. It’s the second matchup for the Rave Green against a team from Guatemala, as Seattle previously faced Comunicaciones in the 2011-2012 edition of the tournament.
- Paul Arriola scored a debut goal in the third minute, becoming the first Sounder to score in his debut since Pedro de la Vega did so last year against LAFC on February 24, 2024.
- Pedro de la Vega’s goal in the 61st minute was his second for Seattle since signing with the club prior to the 2024 season.
- Albert Rusnák’s goal tonight comes after a 2024 season that saw the midfielder tally 30 goal contributions (11g/19a) in all competitions, set the club record for most single-season assists and win the Sounders FC Team MVP award.
- Three goals are the most Seattle has scored in its first match of the season since 2021 when it defeated Minnesota United FC 4-0 to open its MLS campaign.
- This is Seattle’s eighth appearance in the Concacaf Champions Cup, and its first since becoming the first MLS side to win the competition in 2022.
- Midfielder Obed Vargas recorded assists on the first two Seattle goals tonight. The Alaska native tallied seven helpers in all competitions last year.
- New signings Jesús Ferreira and Arriola were in Brian Schmetzer’s starting XI this evening. The pair of players came to Seattle from FC Dallas in separate transactions during the offseason.
- Prior to next Wednesday’s second leg, the Rave Green begin their 2025 MLS regular season campaign on Saturday, February 22 against Charlotte FC on the EQC Pitch at Lumen Field (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM).
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 3 – Antigua GFC 1
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Venue: Estadio Pensativo
Referees: Katie García
Assistants: Sandra Ramírez, Karen Díaz
Fourth Official: Francia Gonzalez
Weather: 65 degrees and clear
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Paul Arriola (Jesús Ferreira, Obed Vargas) 3’
ANT – Óscar Santis (Romario Luiz da Silva, José Rosales) 24’
SEA – Pedro de la Vega (Obed Vargas) 61’
SEA – Albert Rusnák (Georgi Minoungou) 90’+5’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
ANT – Cristian Hernández (caution) 10’
ANT – José Gálvez (caution) 35’
ANT – Óscar Santis (caution) 81’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei; Alex Roldan, Yeimar, Jackson Ragen, Nouhou; Cristian Roldan (João Paulo 85’), Obed Vargas, Pedro de la Vega (Georgi Minoungou 76’), Jesús Ferreira (Albert Rusnák 67’), Paul Arriola (Paul Rothrock 67’); Jordan Morris (Danny Musovski 76’)
Substitutes not used: Andrew Thomas, Jacob Castro, Stuart Hawkins, Jonathan Bell, Cody Baker, Danny Leyva, Travian Sousa
Total shots: 9
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 7
Offside: 0
Corner-Kicks: 4
Saves: 0
Antigua GFC – Luis Morán; Alexander Robinson, José Ardón, Kevin Grijalva; Óscar Santis, Óscar Castellanos (José Espinoza 68’), Cristian Hernández (Diego André Fernández Chinchilla 85’), José Rosales, José Gálvez (Diego Santis 46’); Derwinder Deesmith Bradley Jolón (Francisco Apaolaza 68’), Romario Luiz da Silva (Robinson Daniel Flores Barrios 73’)
Substitutes not used: Juan Guillermo Carbonell Rivera, José Daniel Franco Aldana, Ángel Santiago Díaz, Brandon de Leon, Héctor Prillwitz, Selvin Saúl Sagastume Morales, Estuardo Santiago Sican Avila
Total shots: 12
Shots on goal: 1
Fouls: 16
Offside: 2
Corner-kicks: 7
Saves: 1
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