SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC v. CRUZ AZUL CONCACAF CHAMPIONS CUP - ROUND OF 16, 1ST LEG - ROYAL BROUGHAM PARK, OCCIDENTAL AVENUE, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

“Now is the winter of our discontent

Made glorious summer by this sun of York

And all the clouds that lour’d upon our house

In the deep bosom of the ocean buried…”

– William Shakespeare, from Richard III

Greetings to my brothers and sisters in Green. The midweek/Saturday grind continues this week as Sounders host nine-times Mexican league champions, and six-times CONCACAF Champions Cup winners, Cruz Azul. Pack those lunch pails, lads. It’s time to put in a double-shift against Los Cementeros.

What: CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 1st Leg, Seattle Sounders FC v. Cruz Azul.

Where: Royal Brougham Park, Occidental Avenue, Seattle, Washington.

When: 7:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, Wednesday 5 March 2025 CE.

At Stake: Heart vs. cash. Which will win out? The winner of this tie will advance to the Quarter-Finals. The true stakes in this contest are the zonal relevance of our salary-capped league when pitted against clubs who can outspend us at a ratio of nearly 2:1.

Where to Watch: Fox Sports, ViX, and the CONCACAF YouTube channel.
I recommend YouTube, because Fox are shite, and I don’t know what ViX is and I don’t want to know.

Where to Listen: The Sounders FC website does not list any radio outlets that plan to broadcast the match.

I’m not gonna lie, this cup tie is going to be extremely difficult. It’s a gross mismatch economically that favours our friends from Mexico, with MLS bound by shackles of their own making. Super fun.

If you crunch the numbers, these are likely to cut us apart, but it is important to hold out hope. Numbers don’t win football matches. Teamwork, endeavour, grit, heart, and technique win football matches. Make no mistake, this will be a benchmark match for the Sounders FC. These two matches against Cruz Azul will paint the true picture of where we are as a club.

If you’re only going to go to one match this season, you should go support the Sounders FC Reserves at Starfire when they face Washington Athletic Club in the US Open Cup. If you’re only going to go to two matches this season, the midweek fixture against Cruz Azul is clearly the second choice.

Round up your mates. Link up at Pioneer Square for the march, or at the pub with the Faithful. It would be a shame if this match didna sell out. In a more just world, the upper bowl of Royal Brougham Park would be opened and the ground would have the better part of 69,000 supporters making enough noise to wake the dead and trip the seismic alarms.

So you know the drill, you lot. All hands to action stations. This is not a drill…this is not a drill. Sound collision. Damage control parties stand by. Prepare for boarders. It’s Sounders FC cup football, under the lights at Royal Brougham Park. We welcome our rivals to the roar of our voices and the damp cold of the Pacific Northwest winter. They say revenge is a dish best served cold. Welcome to Green Hell, Cruz Azul. COME ON YE! GO ON YOU SOUNDERS!!! GET IN!!!

Before kick-off, please join me in the auld toast: “TO THE SEATTLE SOUNDERS FOOTBALL CLUB…AND VICTORY!!!”

So shiny. So elusive.

The Good News

We have a fine, hard-working squad. There will be no effort spared. Commitment will be absolute. For this is our way.

Nearly the full squad is healthy, with only Baker-Whiting still nursing a hamstring injury.

The word from on high is that Sounders FC are creating chances. These chances are simply not going into the net. Football can be such a cruel game sometimes. For the most part, we are playing football of a decent quality. The polish though, the finish, is just eluding us.

The Bad News

We are not using the fullness of the squad to keep our players rested and fit. It can’t just be a rotation of 12 or 13 players. We’ve tried that many times over already, it doesn’t really work, and it is unsustainable for a squad with so many veteran players.

The management’s approach to matches played at altitude is a joke. This needs sorting, immediately. I don’t care if we have to carve a training pitch into the bloody side of Mount Daniel itself. Something must be done.

The Salt Lake match showed that our tactics are questionable, our wing play undisciplined. There were times in the match when ¼ of the pitch to ⅓ of the pitch vertically was absolutely vacant. We crimp our own space, rather than creating it. This makes it much easier for our opposition to defend us.

Whether we’re undisciplined in remaining onside, or whether the officials are getting it wrong, something has to change in this equation for us to be effective in attack.

Two own-goals in two league matches doesn’t seem like Sounders football. There are serious issues that need sorting in training to be sure.

Cruz Azul plays very well away from home. They have a 4-1-2 record in all competitions this season as the visiting side.

We have not played Cruz Azul since 1997, when we lost 11:0 to Cruz Azul, and crashed out of the Final Group Stage losing all three matches to Comunicaciones, Necaxa, and the aforementioned thrashing from Cruz Azul.

The Side I Would Select

This is going to be an extremely difficult match. So we have to play our best, even though our best selection might not be enough to get a victory.

GK     Frei

LB     Nouhou

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB     Alex

LDM    Vargas

RDM   Cristian

LF     Arriola

CAM   Rusnak

RF     de la Vega

CF     Morris

The Side I Think The Gaffer Will Select

I would be shocked if this weren’t the lineup for the midweek CONCACAF Champions Cup fixture.

GK     Frei

LB     Nouhou

LCH    Ragen

RCH    Gomez Andrade

RB     Alex

LDM    Vargas

RDM   Cristian

LF     Arriola

CAM   Rusnak

RF     de la Vega

CF     Morris

Intangibles

Unusual 1st Leg pressure.

Not only do we face a very skilled opponent that has more resources, the 2nd Leg will be played at Estadio Olimpico Universitario, the ground that Cruz Azul is currently sharing with UNAM Pumas at an elevation of 7,402’. This places additional pressure on us to win by enough goals so that the heavy lifting will be done before playing at altitude in a week’s time.

Economic inequalities.

Sounders off-season transfer spend: €1.45M.

Cruz Azul off-season transfer spend: €50.78M.

Estimated transfer value of entire Sounders FC squad: €51.6M.

Estimated transfer value of entire Cruz Azul squad: €91.55M.

Poor form.

Sounders FC have demonstrated they are ‘beat-one-of-the-best-teams-in-Guatemala - good’, but have struggled against league opposition, and have not had a victory in the league in their first two matches.

Poor rotation and Substitution choices.

Although it’s too early in the season to give up on the league, we really need to be playing two separate selections for midweek fixtures in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and league fixtures on Saturday, with the first-choice players playing in the cup. We have the depth to do this. Our Manager isn’t using the fullness of the squad to keep our players fresh. Again, the bulk of the minutes in the league are being played by 12-13 players. If you were to tally up the minutes also in the CCC, you would probably see a similar pattern. This is not sustainable.

Undisciplined wing play, crimping space.

In the Salt Lake match there were often vast swathes of open space with no players in them. Sometimes up to a third of the pitch was vacant, with no wing player to stretch the defence. That makes it a whole lot easier for opponents to defend us. This must be addressed in training.

¿Revancha en la cancha?

Last time we played Cruz Azul in this tournament, back in 1997, we lost 0:11. That smarts. To be fair, this result occurred during the Sounders USL era, and our talent is at a higher level now. We’re going to find out how much we’ve closed the talent gap come Wednesday night. That much is for certain.

General notes on personnel

Cruz Azul transfers IN:

Chiquete (CD Guadalajara) €10.74M

Giakoumakis (Atlanta United FC) €9.33M

Bogusz (Los Angeles FC) €8.5M

Romo (Monterrey) €6.5M

Campos (Los Angeles FC) €3.8M

Montano (Mazatlan FC) €3.72M

Romero (AC Milan) €3.3M

Sanchez (Ajax) €3M

Ochoa (San Jose Earthquakes) €1.9M

Gutierrez (San Luis) free

Garcia (UNAM Pumas) undisclosed

Samano (UNAM Pumas) undsiclosed

Rubio - reserves

Cambindo (Necaxa) end of loan

Escobar (Toluca) end of loan

Lotti (Lanus) end of loan

Jurado (FC Juarez) end of loan

Tabo (UNAM Pumas) end of loan

Cruz Azul transfers OUT:

Antuna (Tigres UANL) €7.21M

Romo (CD Guadalajara) €6.3M

Cambindo (Necaxa) €3.9M

Huescas (FC Copenhagen) €1.85M

Salcedo (FC Juarez) free

Lotti (Platense) free

Tabo (Liverpool FC Montevideo) free

Jurado (FC Juarez) undisclosed

Guerrero (Tigres UANL) undisclosed

Candido (Atletico Nacional) loan

Escobar - released

Levy - reserves

Jimenez (Necaxa) end of loan

Comparison against common opponents

n/a

Know Thine Enemy

Cruz Azul as they lined up against Mazatlan in their 1:1 draw at Estadio El Encanto on 28 February 2025.

GOALKEEPER

Kevin Mier, 24

Colombia

Notable Clubs: Atletico Nacional (86/0), Valledupar (16/0), Cruz Azul (54/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €8M

Notes: Full name: Kevin Leonardo Mier Robles. Developed by Oro Negro and Atletico Nacional. Won a league title, two Copa Colombias, and a Columbian Superliga with Atletico Nacional.

DEFENCE

Rodolfo Rotondi, 28

Argentina

Notable Clubs: Newell’s Old Boys (2/0), San Luis (17/4), Santiago Wanderers (28/7), Defensa y Justicia (49/8), Cruz Azul (100/18)

Estimated Transfer Value: €6M

Notes: Developed by Newell’s Old Boys. Won a Recopa Sudamericana with Defensa y Justicia.

Jesus Orozco, 23

Mexico (4/0)

Notable Clubs: CD Guadalajara (97/2), Tapatio (24/2), Cruz Azul (8/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €8.5M

Notes: Full name: Jesus Gilberto Orozco Chiquete. Developed by CD Guadalajara.

Gonzalo Piovi, 30

Argentina

Notable Clubs: Velez Sarsfield (2/0), Argentinos Juniors (35/0), Racing Club (47/7), Gimnasia La Plata (18/0), Defensa y Justicia (8/0), Colon (37/2), Cruz Azul (50/0)

Estimated Transfer Value: €3M

Notes: Developed by Velez Sarsfield. Won an Argentinian second division league title with Argentinos Juniors. Won a Trofeo de Campeones with Racing Club.

Erik Lira, 24

Mexico (5/0)

Notable Clubs: UNAM Pumas (57/0), Cruz Azul (119/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €7.5M

Notes: Full name: Erik Antonio Lira Mendez. Developed by UNAM Pumas and Necaxa. Won a Supercopa with Cruz Azul. Named to Liga MX Best XI 2021 Apertura.

Ignacio Rivero, 32

Uruguay

Notable Clubs: Central Espanol (68/13), Defensa y Justicia (55/3), Tijuana (80/6), Cruz Azul (174/18)

Estimated Transfer Value: €2M

Notes: Full name: Jose Ignacio Rivero Segade. Won a Liga MX title, Campeon de Campeones, and Supercopa with Cruz Azul.

MIDFIELD

Carlos Rodriguez, 28

Mexico (55/0)

Notable Clubs: Monterrey (110/4), Toledo (30/3), Cruz Azul (117/6)

Estimated Transfer Value: €6M

Notes: Full name: Carlos Alberto Rodriguez Gomez. Won a Liga MX title, Copa MX, and two CONCACAF Champions Leagues with Monterrey. Won a Supercopa with Cruz Azul. Won two CONCACAF Gold Cups with Mexico. Named Liga MX Best XI Apertura 2019. Named to CONCACAF Champions League Team of the Tournament 2019.

Mateusz Bogusz, 23

Poland (2/0)

Notable Clubs: Ruch Chorzow (32/5), Leeds United (1/0), Los Angeles FC (60/18), Cruz Azul (5/1)

Estimated Transfer Value: €10M

Notes: Developed by Gwiazda Ruda Slaska and Ruch Chorzov. Won an EFL Championship with Leeds. Has played for Poland (44/7) at youth levels. Won a US Open Cup with LAFC.

Lorenzo Faravelli, 31

Argentina

Notable Clubs: Newell’s Old Boys (24/1), Union Espanola (30/2), Gimnasia La Plata (84/13), Huracan (8/0), Independiente del Valle (106/18), Cruz Azul (51/10)

Estimated Transfer Value: €2.5M

Notes: Developed by Newell’s Old Boys. Won an Argentinian league title with Newell’s Old Boys. Won an Ecuadorian league title and Copa Sudamericana with Independiente del Valle.

FORWARD

Angel Sepulveda, 34

Mexico (9/2)

Notable Clubs: Morelia (62/9), Queretaro (171/34), CD Guadalajara (5/0), Necaxa (29/2), Tijuana (19/2), Cruz Azul (62/21)

Estimated Transfer Value: €750,000

Notes: Full name: Angel Baltazar Sepulveda Sanchez. Won a Copa MX with Queretaro.

Giorgos Giakoumakis, 30

Greece (22/4)

Notable Clubs: Platanias (59/14), AEK Athens (30/1), OFI Crete FC (10/2), Gornik Zabrze (12/3), VVV Venlo (30/26), Celtic FC (40/19), Atlanta United FC (38/22), Cruz Azul (26/9)

Estimated Transfer Value: €9M

Notes: Developed by Atsalenios. Won a Greek Super League title with AEK Athens. Won a Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup double with Celtic FC. Won a Golden Boot for VVV Venlo, scoring 26 goals. Shared a Golden Boot, scoring 13 goals with Celtic FC. Won a Golden Boot in the Scottish Cup with Celtic FC. Named Best Greek Player Playing Abroad 2020-21 by the Greek Pro Footballers Union. Named MLS Newcomer of the Year 2023. Named to MLS Best XI 2023.

Familiar Faces

None.

Squads

Sounders FC from:

Frei, Thomas, Baker, Bell, Burney, Gomez Andrade, Hawkins, Kim, Kossa-Rienzi, Nouhou, Ragen, Alex, Sousa, Joao Paulo, Leyva, Cristian, Rusnak, Vargas, Arriola, de la Vega, Ferreira, Morris, Minoungou, Musovski, Rothrock.

Note: I’m not certain if Sounders FC extended Kalani Kossa-Rienzi to another short-term loan or not, so he may or may not be available for selection.

Cruz Azul from:

Mier, Gudino, Ochoa, Sanchez, Campos, Ditta, Orozco, Rubio, Carlos Vargas, Piovi, Suarez, Esparza, Lira, Bogusz, Faravelli, Montano, Gutierrez, Rivero, Garcia, Rodriguez, Morales, Duran, Velazquez, Sepulveda, Giakoumakis, Romero, Fernandez, Rotondi, Valdivia, Gamboa, Levy.

Note: This is the entirety of the Cruz Azul squad that I can verify. If there are any injuries, I would be the last to know about it.

Injury List

(Best guess)

Sounders FC -

OUT: Baker-Whiting (hamstring).

MATCHDAY DECISION: none.

Cruz Azul -

OUT: No information.

MATCHDAY DECISION: No information.

Discipline

Sounders FC: No players suspended. Nouhou and Musovski out next match if booked.

Cruz Azul: No players suspended. Garcia out next match if booked.

Fun Fact

Sounders FC have qualified for CONCACAF Champions Cup nine times in their history. This includes an appearance by their USL iteration in the 1996-97 tournament.