SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR - Sounders FC began its 2018 campaign on Thursday evening with a 2-1 loss at Salvadoran side Santa Tecla FC in the first leg of the Round of 16 matchup in the 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League. Nicolás Lodeiro scored an early goal by catching the opposing goalkeeper off his line from 35 yards out, but the home side prevailed with two late goals. The two clubs meet in Seattle for the second leg next Thursday, March 1 on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. PT.
Lodeiro put Seattle up 1-0 in the 15th minute, beating the Santa Tecla goalkeeper from 35 yards. After an attempted through-ball to Henry Wingo was stopped by a defender, the ball fell to the feet of Lodeiro, who noticed the goalkeeper off his line, sending a deep shot that sailed over his head and into the net.
Frei preserved the lead in the 40th minute, stopping a point-blank attempt in the area after a Santa Tecla attacker got behind the defense.
Santa Tecla equalized in the 67th minute, courtesy of Gerson Mayen. After a cross from the left wing, the initial attempt was stopped, with an ensuing scramble taking place inside the area. Mayen found and opening and knocked a shot in past Frei to bring the game level at 1-1. The home side took the lead less than 10 minutes later via a penalty kick. After Seattle was whistled for a foul near the edge of the area, Mayen converted the following spot-kick past Frei to make the score 2-1 and earn a brace on the night.
Sounders FC season tickets are still available, including new 2018 seating options in the 300 level, with full information available at SoundersFC.com or by calling 877-MLS-GOAL. For complete information, details and pricing on 2018 Sounders FC season tickets, fans should call 877-MLS-GOAL or email Sales@SoundersFC.com. Complete information on all Sounders FC ticket packages can be found at SoundersFC.com/Tickets. Single-match tickets are available for all 17 MLS home matches and the club's Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League matchup on March 1 vs. Salvadoran side Santa Tecla FC. Seating for all games is subject to availability at time of purchase. Single-match tickets can be purchased via the following link: SoundersFC.com/Tickets/Single-Match-Tickets.
The Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League match on March 1 vs. Santa Tecla FC at CenturyLink Field is included in 2018 Season Ticket Membership packages. Should the club advance to the Quarterfinal Round of the CONCACAF Champions League, the home match scheduled for March 7 at CenturyLink Field would serve as the 19th game in the Season Ticket Membership package. If Seattle advances to that stage of the tournament, the club would face the winner of storied Mexican club Chivas Guadalajara versus Dominican side Cibao.
MATCH SUMMARY
Seattle Sounders FC 1 - Santa Tecla FC 2
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Venue:
Estadio Las Delicias
Referee:
Melvin Matamoros
Assistants:
Melvin Cruz, Helpys Feliz
Fourth Official:
Hector Said Martinez
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA
-
Nicolás Lodeiro 15'
ST
-
Gerson Mayen 67'
ST
-
Gerson Mayen (penalty) 76'
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
SEA
-
Jordy Delem (caution) 68'
ST
-
Gerson Mayen (caution) 90'+4'
LINEUPS & STATS
Seattle Sounders FC - Stefan Frei; Jordan McCreary, Chad Marshall, Tony Alfaro, Waylon Francis; Henry Wingo (Alex Roldan 59'), Jordy Delem (Gustav Svensson 78'), Cristian Roldan, Harry Shipp (Will Bruin 57'); Nicolás Lodeiro - captain, Jordan Morris
Substitutes not used: Bryan Meredith, Nouhou, Zach Mathers, Lamar Neagle
Total shots:
5 (Lodeiro, 2)
Shots on goal:
4 (Lodeiro, 2)
Fouls:
14 (Roldan, 5)
Offside:
0
Corner-kicks:
3 (Lodeiro, 3)
Saves:
5 (Frei, 5)
Santa Tecla FC - Joel Almeida; Bryan Tamacas, Yosimar Quinones, Roberto Dominguez, Juan Barahona; Fernando Quintanilla, Aldair Rivera (Gilberto Baires 66'), Gerson Mayen, Marlon Cornejo; Ricardinho (Liber Quinones 82'), Wilma Torres (William Canales 90'+2')
Substitutes not used: Hector Ramirez, Alexander Mendoza, Jacobo Moreno, Harold Alas
Total shots:
15 (Mayen/Ricardinho, 3)
Shots on goal:
7 (Mayen, 3)
Fouls:
12 (Quintanilla, 3)
Offside:
1 (Ricardinho, 1)
Corner-kicks:
6 (Mayen, 6)
Saves:
3 (Almeida, 3)
