The Seattle Sounders visit Honduran powerhouse C.D. Olimpia in Leg One of their Round of 16 tilt in the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League on Thursday, February 20. Here’s everything you need to know:
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT at Estadio OlÃmpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be televised on FOX Sports 2.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will not be broadcasted on the radio.
RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Sounders: First match of 2020, Olimpia: 4-2-2 (14 points, 3rd in Liga Nacional de Honduras)
ALL-TIME HISTORY: The Sounders are 16-5-5 all-time in Concacaf Champions League play, including one win and win loss against C.D. Olimpia in the 2015-16 group stage.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: The Sounders qualified for the 2020 edition of CCL by winning the 2019 MLS Cup, defeating Toronto FC 3-1 at CenturyLink Field on November 10.
BAD BLOOD: There will be no love lost between the two clubs as they take the pitch on Thursday. In Seattle’s 2-1 win over Olimpia at CenturyLink Field in August 2015, a brawl broke out on the field after Brad Evans scored the game-winning goal in the 97th minute.
FAMILIAR FACES: Sounders stalwarts Cristian Roldan and Stefan Frei were both on the roster the last time these two clubs met in the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League.
NEW DIGS: Originally slated to be played at Olimpia’s home stadium in Tegucigalpa, Leg One was moved to San Pedro Sula when Estadio Riburcio CarÃas Andino failed to meet the federation’s current standards.
MLS PATHWAY: C.D. Olimpia has become a proving ground for future MLS players – in particular, future signings for the Houston Dynamo – as MLS standouts Boniek Garcia, Romell Quioto and Alberth Elis all secured moves to the United States after impressing with Olimpia in the Champions League.
SHINY NEW SIGNINGS: Two new Sounders, midfielder João Paulo and center back Yeimar Gómez Andrade, could make their club debuts for Seattle in Honduras on Thursday. Hailing from the first divisions of Brazil and Argentina respectively, the pair have bolstered the reigning champions’ roster ahead of the continental competition.
CHANGE THE NARRATIVE: In the history of the SCCL, no MLS club has ever won the continental competition. The Sounders have a favorable draw, as they can't face a Liga MX side until the Semifinals.
WATCH OUT FOR NO. 9: Striker Jorge Benguche is the danger man up top for the hosts. A force to be reckoned with in domestic league play, the 23-year-old striker has already knocked in two goals from his first three caps with the Honduran national team.
