On March 11, 2025, Cruz Azul played against Seattle Sounders at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, aiming to secure their place in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup. This much-anticipated second leg followed a scoreless draw and had fans buzzing with excitement. The match kicked off at 18:30 hours, with both teams eager to stamp their authority on the game.
Cruz Azul came out firing, and the fans didn’t have to wait long to erupt as Carlos Rodríguez scored the first goal at the 32nd minute, giving the home team the lead. Rodríguez found the back of the net with precision, genuinely boosting the confidence of his teammates and supporters alike. This goal quickly set the tone for the rest of the evening.
The intensity heightened as the game progressed, with Cruz Azul pushing for another score to cement their advantage. Their efforts bore fruit when Ángel Sepúlveda converted from the penalty spot at the 71st minute, putting Cruz Azul two goals up. The team exuded confidence, knowing they could afford to take calculated risks against their rivals.
Seattle Sounders, not ready to back down easily, managed to find the net at the 74th minute through Danny Musovski. This goal, which narrowed Cruz Azul's lead to 2-1, reignited hope among Sounders fans, who have watched their team struggle historically against Mexican sides. “Danny Musovski finds the net for The Seattle Sounders!”, stated the official Concacaf Champions Cup account, emphasizing the excitement surrounding the match.
Despite this glimmer of hope, Cruz Azul’s response was swift. Just eleven minutes later, Luka Romero scored to bring the tally to 3-1. The home side rallied even harder, fully aware of the stakes involved. Jorge Sánchez rounded off the high-intensity display with another goal at the 87th minute, finalizing the score at 4-1. The jubilant Cruz Azul supporters celebrated as the final whistle blew, marking their team’s successful advancement to the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Notably, the victory allows Cruz Azul to chase their seventh title, which would tie them with América as the most decorated team in the tournament’s history. The team, guided by Uruguayan coach Vicente Sánchez, continues to demonstrate why they are serious contenders.
Cruz Azul will now watch with anticipation as they await the outcome of another key match between Chivas and América. The winner of this encounter will face Cruz Azul next. The stage is set for thrilling clashes as fans of La Máquina dream of lifting the trophy this season.
The victory over Seattle Sounders adds to Cruz Azul’s confidence after they had recently drawn against Monterrey. This win also marks Seattle Sounders’ eighth consecutive match without victory on Mexican soil—a trend they will need to change as the season progresses.
Fans are already discussing the upcoming matches and the potential for their team to make history. Cruz Azul not only secured their spot in the next round, but they also reaffirmed their strength, giving them the momentum needed to carry through the remainder of the tournament.
Cruz Azul's convincing performance served as a reminder to other contenders: they are here to win, and they will not easily relinquish their title aspirations. The spotlight is now firmly on them as they prepare for what lies ahead.