2015-2016 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League
Score: Sounders FC 0 at CD Olimpia 1
Goal-scorers: Alberth Elis (60’)
Site: Estadio Nacional (Tegucigalpa, Honduras)
Man of the Match: No stranger to playing in Honduras, veteran Gonzalo Pineda was a calming presence in the midfield for a Sounders FC lineup full of young players. Although he did pick up a yellow card for a shove in the back sticking up for Cristian Roldan after a foul, Pineda remained under control for the majority of Wednesday’s match and was solid with both his offensive and defensive responsibilities in the central midfield.
Telling Stat: When the two teams met at CenturyLink Field last week, Sounders FC owned 70 percent of possession and completed 489 passes to CD Olimpia’s 221. It was a bit of a different story this time around, as the Honduran side held 58 percent of possession and took eight more shots than Seattle. The Rave Green managed just one shot on target in the game.
What You Missed: Head Coach Sigi Schmid fielded the exact same starting XI that battled Olimpia one week ago. Six members of the squad have started all three SCCL matches so far: Roldan, Lamar Neagle, Troy Perkins, Micheal Azira, Dylan Remick and Aaron Kovar. Neagle has remarkably played in every game across all competitions this season.
Midfielder Marco Pappa came on as a substitute Wednesday night, appearing in a match for the first time since July 18. He entered with 20 minutes left and played as an attacking midfielder.
So What: Sounders FC remains atop Group F with one match to go, a September 23 game against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at CenturyLink Field. Vancouver hosts Olimpia on September 16 and plays in Honduras on October 22 to close out the Group Stage. Seattle, meanwhile, returns to action on Sunday with a rivalry match against the Portland Timbers at CenturyLink Field.
