The first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 concluded without any goals as Seattle Sounders faced Cruz Azul at Lumen Field on March 5, 2025. Despite the thrilling atmosphere and aggressive play, the match ended in a 0-0 draw.
Seattle Sounders, aiming to leverage their home advantage, produced numerous offensive actions but failed to find the back of the net. Their best opportunities were highlighted by two strikes hitting the post, leaving the scoreline frustratingly blank.
Cruz Azul arrived with the ambition to secure at least one away goal, which would provide them with leverage for the return leg. Nonetheless, the Mexican side struggled to convert their limited chances, managing only one shot on target throughout the match. The team had strategic substitutions — Luis Gutiérrez and Amaury Morales stepped onto the field, replacing Alexis Gutiérrez and Guillermo 'Toro' Fernández. This was part of their effort to spark some offensive flow.
The match itself was characterized by strong defensive plays. Seattle's players Jordan Morris and Nouhou Tolo were particularly impactful. Tolo's header struck the crossbar shortly after the halftime mark, reitercing the Sounders' offensive efforts. The frustrations peaked when Seattle thought they had scored through Pedro de la Vega, only for VAR to rule the goal offside. Such letdowns were felt deeply, as Morris hit the post again with just 20 minutes remaining, adding to the Sounders' woes.
Actions off the ball also defined the match; several fouls and tactical plays created stoppages. Lorenzo Faravelli of Cruz Azul received the first yellow card for his aggressive play early on. Albert Rusnák of Seattle followed suit later, indicating the physical nature of the encounter which transitioned from technical soccer tactics to raw competitive spirit.
Both teams share compelling histories, with Seattle having eliminated Antigua GFC with relative ease earlier, and Cruz Azul demolishing their competition, Real Hope PA, with remarkable scores. This background set expectations high for the clash.
The result leaves both teams with pressing questions as they prepare for the second leg at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario. Seattle needs to turn defensive prowess and near misses from the first match to actual goals when playing away. Cruz Azul, on the other hand, must break free from their attacking malaise to leverage the advantage of their home crowd.
Now, as they shift to Mexico, both clubs will be under pressure to adapt their strategies. Seattle must maintain defensive resilience, knowing they have avoided conceding away goals, which is beneficial. Conversely, Cruz Azul’s focus will be on converting chances, especially if they hope to expand their successful history within the competition.
The underlying tension of this draw sets the stage for what promises to be another riveting encounter, with both teams vying for the all-important spots in the quarter-finals. Fans can expect dramatic buildup as both teams look to return to form and capitalize on their capabilities and weather the pressure of this competitively historic club matchup. The stakes are ever high, and the next match is bound to be even more exhilarating as head coach Vicente Sánchez seeks balance and control against Schmetzer's approach.