Cruz Azul hosts Seattle Sounders in a showdown that will determine who stays alive in the Concacaf Champions Cup. After a scoreless draw in the first leg in Seattle, the decisive match now takes place in Mexico City, a setting that historically favors Liga MX clubs. But can the Sounders challenge that trend and shock La Máquina at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario?
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This game has huge emotional implications for both clubs. Cruz Azul possesses the history and dedicated home crowd, but a string of three consecutive draws creates doubts. Meanwhile, Seattle rode a dominating MLS win, but now they will need to weather the intensity of Mexico's stadium. A quarterfinals spot is at stake, and for both sides, it is a day of reckoning.
Cruz Azul and the necessity of taking command
Cruz Azul approaches the second leg aware that they need to seize control. A scoreless tie in Seattle was a decent outcome, but another collapse at home will turn pressure into crisis. And La Máquina is not precisely firing on all cylinders: three consecutive draws have created alarm for a team accustomed to competing at the highest level.
Their biggest hope from this game? Ángel Sepúlveda. The tournament leading scorer with three goals, he was held out of the first leg but could be the difference-maker to trigger the Mexican attack. With an attack that needs to become more efficient, Sepúlveda's play could be just what is needed against a solid Seattle defense.
But there is one red flag. Historically, Liga MX clubs have dominated MLS competitors in this tournament. In fact, Cruz Azul has beaten each of the last three two-legged confrontations against MLS teams in the history of the tournament since the MLS era. However, recent abject failure on the final whack by Vicente Sánchez's charges is a concern.
If La Máquina are to look forward, they have to impose themselves from the very first minute. The fans will demand a more aggressive offensive display, and the team cannot afford to let chances go. Seattle Sounders and the challenge of breaking barriers
Seattle Sounders and the challenge of breaking barriers
If there's any team in MLS that knows how to win knockout matches, it's the Seattle Sounders. The 2022 Concacaf Champions Cup winners arrive in Mexico City with a veteran-rich squad and game-breakers.
Their attack, led by Jordan Morris, Paul Arriola, and Jesús Ferreira, gives Seattle a deadly forwards trio. That said, they won't make it easy for themselves to get on the score sheet against Cruz Azul with the Mexican squad yet to conceding a goal in this season's tournament.
Another letdown for the Sounders? Pedrito de la Vega's injury. The Sounders' most expensive player left the field in the first half of their 5-2 win at LAFC with a quadriceps injury and could be out for this important game.
In spite of that, Seattle enters the game confident having beaten LAFC, which will be a huge psychological boost to enter Mexico. Albert Rusnák was incredible with a goal and two assists, and Jordan Morris broke the franchise record for most goals scored in all competitions at 87. These are clear indications that Seattle's offense is on fire.
But their biggest challenge will be dealing with Mexico City's elevation and Cruz Azul's intensity. The Sounders will need a flawless tactical performance, knowing when to push forward and when to drop back and absorb pressure.