Seattle Sounders kick off their Leagues Cup campaign this week by hosting Cruz Azul, the reigning Concacaf Champions Cup winners, at Lumen Field. The matchup brings both tradition and pressure: on one side, the Americans are looking to extend their unbeaten run and show defensive improvement; on the other, the Mexicans arrive full of confidence after recent blowout wins and carry the status of the team to beat in the tournament. This game also marks a reunion between the clubs after their Round of 16 clash in the Champions Cup, when La Máquina came out on top with a 4-1 aggregate victory.
Seattle Sounders aim to turn goals into wins
Seattle enters the tournament in a mixed moment. Brian Schmetzer’s team is riding a six-game unbeaten streak, but the defensive numbers are worrying. They’ve conceded ten goals in their last five matches and haven’t managed a single clean sheet in that span. At home, the Sounders have won only once in their last four games, even though they’ve scored at least twice in each of them.
Albert Rusnák and Danny Musovski lead the attack and represent the team’s hope of converting offensive volume into actual results. Last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Atlanta United showed that the attack can produce, but defensive lapses need to be fixed to avoid another setback against a dangerous opponent.
Cruz Azul arrives confident and chasing continental dominance
Cruz Azul lands in Seattle flying high. The Mexican club lifted the Concacaf Champions Cup in June after a dominant 5-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, returning to the international spotlight after more than a decade without an overseas trophy. In the Liga MX Apertura, they sit fifth with five points from three matches and come in with momentum after a 4-1 victory over León.
Ángel Sepúlveda is the player in form, scoring four goals in his last two outings. Alongside the experienced Juan Ignacio Rivero, who controls the midfield, he’s the key weapon of a team that has grown into the season after a slow start.
Even without an away win in 2025, Cruz Azul is counting on its in-form attack to try to replicate its Champions Cup success and start the Leagues Cup with a result that would reinforce its status as one of the tournament favorites.