Takeaway
The Seattle Sounders struck first in the 41st minute, but Liga MX’s Club América took under 60 seconds to respond, then scored twice more in next eight minutes at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The 3-1 victory made for a 5-3 aggregate score to eliminate the Sounders from the CONCACAF Champions League knockout round Wednesday night.
Scoring
41st minute: After a back-and-forth opening, Sounders midfielder Osvaldo Alonso struck a cross from the right alley intended for Nelson Valdez. Valdez was hit from behind by defender Pablo Aguilar, and the ball struck Aguilar’s backside before rolling into the net to give Seattle, which drew 2-2 with America a week earlier at the Clink, the lead for the third time in the two matches.
42nd: América responded almost instantly to Aguilar’s miscue. Rubens Sambueza struck a long cross that scuffed the top of Darwin Quintero’s head and found the side netting.
45th+1: América stretched its lead in first-half stoppage time, after Sambueza crossed a ball in from the left that Oribe Peralta headed in past a diving GK Stefan Frei.
50th: Andres Andrade put the final dagger into Seattle’s hopes, scoring on a first-touch left-footed effort from above the 18 in transition.
Words
“Club America is fitter than we are, plus they have more understanding and cohesion because they’ve played many more games together than we have. We have new players, new formations, guys are trying to get used to each other. They have an advantage this round, for sure.” — Sounders coach Sigi Schmid
Next
The Sounders open the MLS season at home against Sporting Kansas City Sunday (4 p.m., FOX Sports 1). Seattle will not play in the Champions League group stage during the summer, having failed to qualify last season.