Men Of The Match

• Alvaro Fernandez#15 Midfielder
• Osvaldo Alonso#6 Midfielder
• Fredy Montero#17 Forward
• Leonardo Gonzalez#12 Defender
• James Riley#7 Defender

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - Alvaro Fernandez's header in the second half earned the Seattle Sounders FC a 1-1 draw against AD Isidro Metapán in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League preliminary series at Estadio Cuscatlán on Tuesday night.

With the result, Sounders FC advances to the group stage on aggregate goals, 2-1. Seattle defeated Metapán, 1-0, in the first leg last week at Qwest Field.

Fernandez scored the equalizer in the 73rd minute, just nine minutes after entering the match. James Riley crossed a ball into the box from the right side and Fernandez snapped a header inside the near post.

It was the first goal by Fernandez for Sounders FC. He made his debut last Saturday in San Jose after signing with the club on July 29. 

Metapán took the early lead with a goal in the 17th minute. Rodolfo Suarez chipped a cross from the end line that found Anel Canalez in the box. Canalez's header from 6 yards snuck inside the far post.
 
In the 53rd minute, Roger Levesque knocked in the rebound of Osvaldo Alonso's long range shot but the goal was disallowed due to offside.
Seattle held the advantage in shots 9-7 (7-5 on goal), including six second-half shots on target.

Kasey Keller made four saves with three before halftime.

Sounders FC (7-8-4, 25 points in MLS) is unbeaten in its last seven games in all competitions (6-0-1).
 
Sounders FC joins the group stage with Monterrey (Mexico), Saprissa (Costa Rica) and the winner of the preliminary round matchup between Tauro (Panama) and Marathon (Honduras). Marathon defeated Tauro, 3-0, on the road in the first leg. They meet again Wednesday.
 
In group play each team plays one another twice, home and away. Seattle would visit Marathon or Tauro on August 19 and host Monterrey on August 25. The remainder of the group stage schedule will be announced following completion of the preliminary round.
 
Seattle returns to MLS play when it hosts the Houston Dynamo on Sunday night on the Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. PT.