The Seattle Sounders gear up to face a familiar foe on April 8 in Monterrey, Mexico.
Just like in 2013, the Rave Green will meet Liga MX side Tigres UANL in the Concacaf Champions Cup Quarterfinals, beginning with Leg 1 on Wednesday night.
“It's obviously a big matchup,” said Head Coach Brian Schmetzer.
The Sounders’ previous Concacaf showdown with Tigres marked a significant moment for the club, as they not only advanced to the Semifinals but also became the first MLS team to eliminate a Mexican opponent in the continental competition. After going down 1-0 in the first leg, the Rave Green climbed back with three second-half goals in Leg 2 to defeat the Mexican powerhouse 3-2 on aggregate.
This 2013 series laid the foundation of what Major League Soccer clubs are capable of against top-tier Liga MX teams. For the Seattle Sounders specifically, it proved they can compete against anybody.
Fast forward to today, the Rave Green are the only MLS team in the modern era to win the continential tournament, beating Pumas UNAM 5-2 on aggregate in the 2022 Concacaf Champions League Final. Wednesday night is the next step in becoming two-time CCC champs, with a stellar add-on of a third appearance at FIFA Club World Cup 2029.
“We have to manage the game,” said center back Jackson Ragen. “If we make a mistake, then we can't let it compound and turn into more mistakes.”
He continued: “I think scoring away goals [will be] huge. Obviously, it's a tough place to play…We can't win the whole series in the first leg, but we can definitely lose it.”
Along with the lively atmosphere that comes with facing Liga MX teams on their home turf, the Sounders’ next opponent is more than ready to put up a fight after what went down in the previous round versus FC Cincinnati.
Tigres found themselves down 3-0 on aggregate after the first leg in the Round of 16. However, an incredible 5-1 comeback performance in Leg 2 on March 19 kept them alive for another day with a ticket to the next round.
“Anybody that watched that Tigres-Cincy series knows how dangerous they can be at home,” said Schmetzer. “So it'll be a challenge.”
The Sounders have defeated Tigres twice in historic fashion. Whether it’s their aggregate win nine years ago or their 3-0 Leagues Cup quarterfinal victory in 2021 — featuring goals from club legends Raúl Ruidíaz, Fredy Montero and Nicolás Lodeiro — the Sounders know what it takes to beat the biggest clubs in North America. And they are not stopping now.
“At the end of the day, I think this group has enough experience and we're going to go down there and try and get a result,” said Schmetzer.
