By Steven Agen
Defending CONCACAF Champions League champions Club America cruised to a date with Santos Laguna in the Semfinals with a decisive 3-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders at Estadio Azteca on Wednesday night. The win propelled them to a 5-3 aggregate advantage, the third straight victory by a Liga MX side over an MLS counterpart in this year’s Quarterfinals.
Strong start by Sounders undone by goals near halftime for second straight week.
Nelson Valdez celebrates Seattle’s 1-0 lead on 41 minutes. Photo by Max Aquino
Seattle managed a 1-0 lead on the night and 3-2 on aggregate on 41 minutes when Osvaldo Alonso sent in a low cross from near the right endline for striker Nelson Valdez to run on to. The Paraguayan redirected the ball goalward and, with the help of a touch off a Club America defender, found the net. The lead was a well-deserved reward for an organized and efficient approach from the visitors. Stefan Frei was forced to parry America captain Ruebens Sambueza’s half volley at the near right post on . Brad Evans, recipient of multiple knocks throughout the match, cleared Darwin Quintero’s effort from a low cross off the line prior to that. Otherwise, the Sounders looked more or less comfortable. They conserved energy by possessing for large intervals of the first half and by maximizing rests on restarts.
The lead wouldn’t last long, however, as Darwin Quintero popped up moments later to level the score on aggregate. Sambueza one-timed a deflected ball into the area from the right flank, and the Colombian slipped between Chad Marshall and Brad Evans to head home low to the far post on 42 minutes. It was a familiar sight, Seattle taking the lead and America responding immediately via Quintero. The goal once again moved him into second place all time in CCL goalscoring with 22.
That wouldn’t last long, either. Just as in the first leg, Sambueza popped up again. This time on the left endline in first half stoppage, the MVP of the tie crossed for an open Oribe Peralta. The forward found space between Seattle’s centerbacks, just as Quintero had a moment before. He headed past Frei easily to the far post, and tied Quintero for second in CCL goalscoring on 22. America regained the lead on aggregate but didn’t change the game state for the Sounders, who would’ve needed another goal even without Peralta’s. Still, the two goals just before the half undid Seattle’s best chance at advancing. The sudden shift in momentum from leading on aggregate to needing a goal to force extra time was the defining quale of the series. “We have three leads in the two games, and our three leads lasted like two minutes,” lamented Sounders manager Sigi Schmid.
Andres Ivanschitz caused America problems with his set piece service all game, particularly to start the second half. Seattle forced several corners and free kick opportunities, with Jordan Morris having the best look off a set piece from deep on the right side. All the chances came to nothing, though, and America put the tie beyond reach on 50 minutes. Paul Aguilar’s cross from the right ran through the area to Andres “Rifle” Andrade, who finished smartly low to the far post against Frei’s momentum. The defending champions threatened to bust the tie open at several moments throughout the two legs, but this was the first and only real daylight they’d need to wrap up their advancement. The match was comfortable for them after their fifth goal on aggregate.
Seattle substituted Cristian Roldan, Aaron Kovar, and Darwin Jones on, just as in the first leg. Jones created several chances with his pace and combined well with Valdez. Roldan fit in well as a box to box player in the 4-3-3. The game, and the cavernous pitch, looked a little beyond Kovar, who failed to make an impact. Erik Friberg was removed following a collision in the area with Chad Marshall. The Swedish midfielder was hurrying back to help deny a three on two counter attack. He and Marshall failed to see each other, and the big centerback elbowed Friberg in the head as he ran into him at full speed. There was no word from Sigi Schmid after the game on his condition, or on his status for this weekend’s MLS opener against Sporting KC.
Schmid did speak on America’s four-assist man Ruebens Sambueza. calling him the most influential player in the series, “He got open all the time. We gave him way too much space, and he was really able to run the game, make the game, for Club America, and he was the player that probably hurt us the most.”
Club America will play their first leg of the Semifinals away at Corona Stadium two weeks from now. For Seattle, their league campaign begins this Sunday. Despite being knocked out, the Sounders performed admirably over the course of the two legs. In addition to running into the defending champions, the Pacific Northwest club were playing their first competitive matches of the year. The strong showing bodes well for a good start to the MLS season.
Players like Jordan Morris and Joevin Jones, who showed flashed of brilliance against America, should do much more when facing more routine opposition. We’ll get our first chance to see this weekend, but it may be a while before we a CCL Championship Stage series for the Rave Green again.
