SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC took a break from MLS play on Saturday evening at CenturyLink Field, as Brian Schmetzer’s side played Mexico’s Club Necaxa to a 1-1 draw in an international friendly. For Seattle, the contest was the club’s 11th all-time international friendly in the MLS era, and the third overall contest against Mexican opposition, having previously defeated Chivas Guadalajara 3-1 in 2010 and playing Club Tijuana to a 2-2 draw in 2015.
Following Saturday’s contest, the club readies itself for a return to competitive action after the current FIFA international window, with the MLS champions preparing to take on surging expansion side Atlanta United FC at CenturyLink Field on Friday, March 31 (7:00 p.m. PT / FS1, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM).
Seattle struck late into the contest to go ahead 1-0, as Harry Shipp played the role of creator during a Sounders raid into the Necaxa area, offloading the ball to an advancing Alvaro Fernandez. The Uruguayan midfielder hit a right-footed shot aimed at Necaxa’s far post, with goalkeeper Yosgart Gutiérrez left helpless to watch the shot sail past him.
The Mexican side found an equalizer seven minutes later, as substitute Alejando Diaz converted a Jesús Isijara cross past Seattle netminder Tyler Miller. Scored in the 90th minute, Necaxa’s strike was the final goal of the contest, leaving the scoreline at 1-1.
Brian Schmetzer’s side returns to MLS play at CenturyLink Field on Friday, March 31 against Atlanta United, with the expansion club currently sitting third in the Eastern Conference and riding a hot start to their MLS tenure. With 11 goals, Atlanta is second in the league in scoring, led by a Designated Player triumvirate of playmaker Miguel Almirón and forwards Josef Martinez and Hector Villalba. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. PT, with a national broadcast scheduled for FOX Sports 1, and KIRO Radio 97.3 FM and El Rey 1360 AM providing local radio coverage.
2017 Season Ticket Memberships are still available by calling 877-MLS-GOAL or emailing Sales@SoundersFC.com. Complete information on all Sounders FC ticket packages can be found at SoundersFC.com/Tickets.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 1 – Club Necaxa 1
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Venue: Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field
Referee: Tim Ford
Assistants: Eduardo Jeff, T.J. Zablocki
Fourth Official: Levi Rippy
Attendance: 38,045
Weather: 48 degrees and cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Alvaro Fernandez (Harry Shipp) 83’
NEC – Alejandro Díaz (Jesús Isijara, Xavier Baéz) 90’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
NEC – Nicolás Maturana (caution) 31’
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC – Tyler Miller; Jordy Delem (Brian Nana-Sinkam – 78’), Gustav Svensson, Tony Alfaro, Nouhou; Cristian Roldan – captain, Zach Mathers (Seyi Adekoya – 67’), Henry Wingo, Harry Shipp, Alvaro Fernandez; Will Bruin
Substitutes not used: Bryan Meredith, Chad Marshall, Irvin Parra, Ray Saari, Shandon Hopeau, David Olsen
Total shots: 13 (Bruin, 6)
Shots on goal: 4 (Bruin, 3)
Fouls: 10
Offside: 3
Corner-kicks: 6
Saves: 2
Club Necaxa – Marcelo Barovero (Yosgart Gutiérrez – 45’); Xavier Baéz, Nicolás Maturana (Alejandro Díaz – 67’), Diego Riolfo (Jesús Isijara – 45’) Jorge Sánchez; Manuel Iturra (Michel García – 62’), Félipe Gallegos, Maximiliano Barreiro (Jairo González – 82’), Jonas Aguirre, Mario De Luna – captain; Diego Hernández
Substitutes not used: Roberto Salcedo, Emilio Mac Eachen, Marcos González
Total shots: 14 (Maturana, 3)
Shots on goal: 3 (three players, 1)Fouls: 11
Offside: 1
Corner-kicks: 4
Saves: 3
MATCH NOTES
- Sounders FC improves to 4-5-2 all-time in international friendlies at CenturyLink Field, including an unbeaten streak of four consecutive contests (2-0-2).
- Seattle has never lost to a Liga MX side in a friendly, with a 3-1 win over Chivas Guadalajara in 2010 and a 2-2 draw against Club Tijuana in 2015.
- Including tonight’s friendly and the MLS Cup Playoffs, Sounders FC is unbeaten at home in 13 consecutive home matches, with the last loss coming on July 9, 2016 to the LA Galaxy.
- In the 83rd minute, midfielder Alvaro Fernandez scored the club’s second-latest goal in friendly history. In 2010, Sanna Nyassi recorded a goal in the 90th minute against C.D. Guadalajara.
- Four Seattle players made their club debuts on Saturday: forward Seyi Adekoya, midfielder Jordy Delem and defenders Brian Nana-Sinkam and Nouhou.
