Sounders Lose to Club America 3-1
By Ben Renner
The Sounders missed an opportunity to take the world stage by losing to Club America in Mexico City 3-1. They are eliminated from the CONCACAF Champions League tournament with a 5-3 aggregate loss.
The Sounders had a chance to step onto the world stage, if only for a moment, with a win over a tough international opponent. Unfortunately, Club America showed why it’s still ahead of most American soccer clubs with a 3-1 victory over the Sounders in Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Sounders coach Sigi Schmid summed it up perfectly after the game, saying, “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.”
Club America certainly looked like the better side last night. The Sounders took an early lead, however, on an own goal by defender Pablo Aguilar in the 41st minute. The Sounders can at least take heart in the fact that they took three leads over Club America in two matches. But America struck back almost immediately after Aguilar’s ricochet off of his backside into his own net. Sounders menace Darwin Quintero redirected a cross from Rubens Sambueza in the 42nd minute for the equalizer.
Club America would strike again in first half stoppage time on an Oribe Peralta header from another Sambueza cross. They would put the match away with a beautiful strike from Andres Andrade past Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei in the 50th minute.
The Sounders showed some heart in their 5-3 aggregate score loss to Club America after drawing them 2-2 in Seattle. Winning in the heart of Mexico City against a tough side after you lose your top scorer over the offseason isn’t easy.
Next: Sounders vs. Club America Leg Two Preview
The Sounders will now prepare to take on Sporting Kansas City in their MLS opener on Sunday.