Seattle Sounders carved out one of the biggest nights in their history, crushing Cruz Azul 7-0 at Lumen Field in the first round of the 2025 Leagues Cup. Up against the reigning Concacaf Champions Cup holders, the American side exploded after halftime, taking a balanced match and turning it into a rout.
The game flipped in stunning fashion
The opening half had chances both ways but stayed scoreless. Cristian Roldan nearly struck first with a low drive that slipped just wide. A few minutes later, Ferreira put the ball in the net, but the flag went up for an offside on Alex Roldan earlier in the move. Cruz Azul’s best moment came from Omar Campos, who smashed a shot off the post at the end of a counter. That was about as dangerous as the visitors would get.
Everything changed once play resumed. Barely three minutes into the second half, Yeimar rose above the defense and powered in a header from Rusnák’s corner. Almost immediately, Vargas tried his luck from distance, the ball clipped Ditta, and looped past Kevin Mier for the second. Two quick blows and Cruz Azul looked shaken.
Ferreira, denied twice already by offside calls, finally had his goal. Cristian Roldan flicked on another corner, and the forward reacted first at the back post to finish it off. The fourth came soon after, a sharp passing move with Vargas and Kent setting up De Rosario inside the box.
From then on, it was all Seattle. The Sounders kept pushing and piled on three more. De la Vega came off the bench and, with his very first touch, smashed in a strike after Ferreira found him in the area. In the closing minutes, Nouhou headed home a rebound off the crossbar to make it six. And deep into stoppage time, De la Vega capped the night with a brilliant volley, probably the best goal of the lot.
A match that shifts perception
The scoreline is historic, but what gives it extra weight is the opponent. Cruz Azul arrived as the continental champion and walked away dismantled. Seattle, meanwhile, stretched their unbeaten run to seven matches since playing in the FIFA Club World Cup. That streak now carries a statement win, one likely to be remembered not just for the number of goals, but for the meaning it holds.