Before Club Puebla defender Nicolás Díaz stepped up to the spot for a do-or-die penalty kick in the bottom of the fifth round on Wednesday night at Lumen Field, Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Andrew Thomas turned to the crowd behind his net and made an encouraging gesture to supporters. The sentiment, more or less, was, “I got this.”
Díaz tried to go to Thomas’ right, but the 26-year-old guessed correctly and dove confidently to deny the effort and send the Sounders to a 4-3 win on penalties and into the Leagues Cup Semifinals.
“I was feeling fairly confident going into that one,” Thomas said. “I tried to smile at the guy a little bit. He’s feeling the pressure more than I am. So, as much as I can get in his head, make him realize how big the moment is, the better it is for me.
“In the shootout, there’s five chances,” he added. “I want to go the right way on one or two. If I go the right way, I’ll make the save.”
Thomas is an excellent penalty stopper, having famously propelled the Sounders to the Round of 16 in the 2024 U.S. Open Cup after stopping three of Louisville City’s seven attempts before burying the winner himself.
Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer said going into the tournament that the Leagues Cup would be Thomas’ to own, even with No. 1 Stefan Frei returning from injury last week. Thomas repaid Schmetzer’s faith on Wednesday evening, recording a clean sheet in addition to his penalty kick heroics.
“Andrew did what he needed to do tonight,” said Schmetzer. “He did what he’s good at, which is penalty kick shootouts.
“He [did] his job,” Schmetzer continued. “That’s my expectation. That players come in and they do the work and play to their best abilities. [Wednesday] was Andrew’s night. He helped the team win.”
The Sounders advance to an all-MLS Leagues Cup Semifinals where they’ll take on the LA Galaxy, who disposed of CF Pachuca, in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Aug. 27 (7:45 p.m. PT; Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV). Inter Miami and Orlando City SC will battle in a Florida derby in the other semifinal after taking down Tigres and Toluca, respectively.
Seattle returns to MLS play on Sunday at home against Sporting Kansas City (6:15 p.m. PT; FS1, FOX Deportes, Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV | TICKETS) in a match where Frei, who started last weekend in MLS action against Minnesota United, seems likely to get the nod in goal.
For Thomas, he’s focused on keeping his head down, working hard and making the most of the next opportunity.
“I’m trying to put my best foot forward on the field as much as I can,” said Thomas. “Not every game is going to go exactly how I want it to…but I’m not trying to get too high, not trying to get too low and taking it one game at a time.
“Getting through is the most important thing. It’s the only thing that really matters…We got through. We’re playing in a semifinal.”