The Seattle Sounders defeated Antigua GFC 3-1 on Wednesday at Lumen Field in the second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup First Round series to advance to the Round of 16 on a 6-2 aggregate score after winning by the same score line last week in Guatemala. Pedro de la Vega recorded a brace sandwiched by a Paul Arriola goal, while José Gálvez tallied for the visitors.
The Sounders found the breakthrough in the 24th minute when Jordan Morris was played in behind on the right side, held the ball up and waited for the late-arriving run of de la Vega in the box. The Argentine’s first attempt was blocked, but he collected the rebound and snuck it past goalkeeper Luis Morán.
Antigua tried to answer by peppering the Sounders goal over the ensuing minutes, but nothing troubled Seattle goalkeeper Andrew Thomas.
Morris thought he had bagged a goal of his own in the 32nd minute, but he was whistled offside and the goal was called back. He then was played through on a breakaway two minutes later, but Morán charged out quickly to deny the angle and Morris’ attempt.
The Sounders were close to finding a second goal again in the 45th minute when Morris flicked a header on a corner to the far post for Jackson Ragen, but the Sounders’ center back’s one-timed effort went over the crossbar.
One minute later, Antigua had a goal initially ruled out due to offisde, but Gálvez’s redirected goal on a cross to the back post was given after Video Review.
The Sounders knocked on the door to open the second half with Morán coming up big on more than one occasion. Seattle finally iced the series in the 53rd minute when Jesús Ferrerira was played through down the left line where he dropped a pass back for Arriola, who coolly slotted his shot into the back of the net.
Antigua nearly went level on the evening in the 87th minute when Dewinder Bradley’s looping header hit the crossbar.
Seattle added an extra goal for good measure in the 88th minute when João Paulo slipped in de la Vega on the right side of the box where he fired home a right-footed shot to the far post.
Seattle advances to the Round of 16 where it will play a home-and-home series with Liga MX’s Cruz Azul beginning on March 5. The Sounders first head to Sandy, Utah, on Saturday to take on Real Salt Lake (1:30 p.m. PT; Watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV) in their second MLS match of the season.
Real Salt Lake were eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup when they fell to Costa Rican side CS Herediano 2-1 on the evening (and 2-1 on aggregate) on Wednesday in their opening round series.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Ferreira to Arriola x2
Just like in leg one in Guatemala, Ferreira assisted Arriola, putting their strong FC Dallas connection on full display.
de la Vega stays hot
Arriola wasn’t the only Sounders to score in both legs, as de la Vega got on the score sheet for the second straight CCC match. He earned a brace and recorded his first two career goals at Lumen Field.
Morris’ quest for history on hold
Morris entered Wednesday’s match tied with former teammate Raúl Ruidíaz for the most goals in club history in all competitions (86). Despite getting close on the evening, his next opportunity to set the mark will come this weekend against RSL.
