The Seattle Sounders left Lumen Field on Wednesday night in a scoreless draw against Cruz Azul in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16.
Jordan Morris almost got the go-ahead for Seattle in the 15th minute when Obed Vargas found the striker on the run behind Cruz Azul’s defense, but a last minute sliding effort from Willer Ditta kept the score level.
In the 24th minute, Cruz Azul had a chance at goal with a set piece just outside the eighteen-yard box, but Mateusz Bogusz’s free kick attempt was stopped by the Sounders’ sturdy wall.
Less than 10 minutes later, Cruz Azul found themselves in the Sounders defensive half once again when Gabriel Fernández looked to get a shot off inside the box, but he was no match for Nouhou who shutdown the attempt right away with a full body block.
Morris nearly closed out the first half with a goal in the 43rd minute when a lofted ball from Pedro de la Vega found the head of the forward at the top of the six, but his header attempt went over the goal.
Nouhou had a similar opportunity three minutes into the second 45 when a Cristian Roldan cross landed near the far post for the Cameroon international to redirect with his head and into the back of the net, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out for a goal kick.
Seattle’s biggest chance came in the 51st minute after Albert Rusnák split Cruz Azul’s defense from half field for Paul Arriola to retrieve the ball on the run. Goalkeeper Kevin Mier was forced to come off his line to prevent the scoring opportunity, but a mis-clearance from the Liga MX keeper landed in the feet of de la vega who managed to rocket the ball into the back of the net. While it looked as though the home side earned the lead, the center referee determined Arriola offsides during the run of play.
In the 70th minute, Morris was inches away from becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer after an Arriola slide tackle in the center of the pitch put the ball in position for the Mercer Island native to go on a breakaway, but his shot attempt hit the post.
The Sounders dominated the remaining minutes of the match, but were unable to finish the 90 minutes with a goal to show for. Seattle will have another opportunity to take on the Liga MX side next Tuesday, when the team travels to Mexico City for Leg 2 of the CCC Round of 16.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Lockdown Defense
Along with the shutout, Stefan Frei only had to make two saves throughout the 90 minutes of the match. Seattle finished the night with 16 interceptions, 3 blocks and 24 clearances, preventing any legitimate chances from Cruz Azul.
Morris on a Mission
Morris’ performance in tonight’s Leg 1 match showcased just how determined he is to break the club’s all-time scoring record. The forward finished the night with some of the team’s biggest opportunities at goal, with three total scoring attempts.
Leg 2 Showdown
With the night ending in a 0-0 draw, the Sounders fate in the tournament will be dependent on the Leg 2 match on March 11. If Seattle wins or ties with one or more goals on the score sheet, the team will move on to face the winner of the Club America-Chivas de Guadalajara series. If the result ends in a 0-0 draw once again, it will go to extra time and potentially penalty kicks to determine the winner of the Round of 16.
