Press Conference

MATCH RECAP: Sounders FC's Leauges Cup 2026 Campaign Ends with 2-1 Loss to Chivas de Guadalajara

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SEATTLE, WASH. – Sounders FC concluded its Leagues Cup 2026 campaign on Wednesday evening, falling 2-1 to Chivas de Guadalajara on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field. After Seattle took an early lead courtesy of a goal from Gallatin Sandnes, the visitors scored a pair of second-half strikes to earn the victory. The match marked the final Phase One match for the Rave Green in Leagues Cup 2026, with the club compiling a 1-2-0 record and not advancing to the Knockout Stage. Brian Schmetzer’s side returns to MLS action on Sunday, August 16 with a home fixture against Vancouver Whitecaps FC (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM).

MATCH NOTES

  • With the loss, Seattle’s Leagues Cup 2026 campaign comes to an end after tallying three points (1-2-0) in Phase One. The top four clubs from both the MLS and Liga MX tables make it to the Knockout Rounds.
  • Seattle is now 11-7-1 all-time in Leagues Cup play and has a 14-15-6 all-time record against Liga MX opponents.
  • This was the third all-time meeting between Sounders FC and Chivas, playing a friendly in 2010 and meeting in a two-leg aggregate matchup in 2018 Concacaf Champions Cup play.
  • Tacoma Defiance defender Gallatin Sandnes – available for selection via Short-Term Agreement and making his first-ever start for Seattle, scored in the 13th minute – his first goal for the Rave Green as well. He made one previous appearance for the club, a substitute appearance against the Philadelphia Union on July 25.
  • Antino Lopez assisted Sandnes’ goal, his first career assist for Seattle.
  • Six Tacoma Defiance players were available for selection for tonight’s match via Short-Term Agreement, with Edson Carli, Mark O’Neill, Sandnes and Charlie Gaffney all recording their first starts for the club. Xavi Gnaulati and Rafael Jauregui were available off the bench. 
  • Defender Ryan Sailor also made his first start for the Rave Green tonight.
  • The Rave Green now return to MLS play with a home matchup against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday, August 16 on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field (7:30 p.m. PT / Apple TV, 93.3 KJR FM, El Rey 1360 AM).

MATCH SUMMARY

Seattle Sounders FC 1 – Chivas de Guadalajara 2

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Venue: Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field

Referee: Marco Nava

Assistants: Christian Zavala, Michel Morales

Fourth Official: Lizzet Olvera

VAR: Edvin Jurisevic

Weather: 70 degrees and sunny

Attendance: 35,286

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Gallatin Sandnes (Antino Lopez) 13’

CHV – Luis Rey 61’

SEA – Santiago Sandoval (Luis Romo) 72’

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

CHV – Luis Rey (caution) 45’

LINEUPS & STATS

Seattle Sounders FC – Stefan Frei – captain; Ryan Sailor (Kim Kee-hee 72’), Stuart Hawkins, Gallatin Sandnes\; Charlie Gaffney\ (Kalani Kossa-Rienzi 72’), Mark O’Neill*, Antino Lopez, Sebastian Gomez (Peter Kingston 63’); Edson Carli, Osaze De Rosario, Jesús Ferreira (Paul Rothrock 63’)

Substitutes not used: Andrew Thomas, Max Anchor, Jackson Ragen, Nouhou, Peter Kingston, Alex Roldan, Paul Rothrock, Rafael Jauregui\, Xavi Gnaulati\, Danny Musovski

*Tacoma Defiance player available via Short-Term Agreement

Total shots: 10

Shots on goal: 2

Fouls: 6

Offside: 1

Corner-kicks: 5

Saves: 10

Chivas de Guadalajara – Oscar Whalley; Diego Campillo, Luis Romo – captain, Miguel Gómez; Fernando González; Luis Rey, Brian Gutierrez, Jordan Carrillo (Armando González 70’), Bryan González (Hugo Camberos 25’); Roberto Alvarado (Santiago Sandoval 70’), Ricardo Marín (Kevin Castañeda 71’)

Substitutes not used: José Rangel, Ángel Sepúlveda, Efraín Álvarez, Jonathan Perez, Richard Ledezma, Ángel Chávez, Inda Cristian, Ángel Romero

Total shots: 24

Shots on goal: 12

Fouls: 7

Offside: 2

Corner-kicks: 13

Saves: 1