MIAMI, Florida – 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League finalists Seattle Sounders and Pumas both found the scoresheet in their respective domestic matches prior to Wednesday’s Final first leg in Mexico City.
The Sounders were involved in a wild affair, falling just shy in a 4-3 final with the San Jose Earthquakes in San Jose, California.
The visitors took a 1-0 lead in the 14’ when Nicolas Lodeiro calmly converted from the penalty spot after Raul Ruidiaz was fouled in the area. It was then 2-0 to Seattle on 19 minutes with Lodeiro serving as playmaker, whipping in a free kick that Cristian Roldan headed into net.
The earthquakes pulled a goal back right before halftime, with Cristian Espinoza scoring the first of his three goals in the 45+2’ to make it 2-1. But back came the Sounders and it was 3-1 in the 57’ thanks to Jordan Morris redirecting in a shot off a cross from Lodeiro.
But a strong close from San Jose eventually resulted in the 4-3 win for the home side, with Espinoza scoring in the 64’, followed by Jackson Yueill’s 3-3 equalizer a minute later in the 65’ and then capped by Espinoza’s game-winning goal in the 90+4’ from the penalty spot.
Meanwhile, down in Guadajalara, Pumas were on the short end of a 3-1 final scoreline with Chivas.
Alexis Vega earned Chivas a 1-0 lead in the 11’ thanks to a great solo run, followed by Roberto Alvarado doubling the advantage to 2-0 in the 45’ by taking a pass from Vega to finish off a counterattack.
Pumas were able to cut into the deficit in the 58’ when Rogerio fired in a right-footed shot to make it 2-1, but Chivas would restore their two-goal lead for good just three minutes later in the 61’ with Jesus Ricardo Angulo stripping the ball away from the Pumas defense and scoring with a left-footed shot.
