The Estadio Azteca (pictured) will be the venue for the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal, second-leg encounter between host Club America and the Seattle Sounders on March 2, 2016. (Photo: Mexsport)
MEXICO CITY – It’s hard to believe, but a team from the United States has never played a Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League game at the famed Estadio Azteca.
That will change Wednesday, when the Seattle Sounders visit defending champion Club America in the second leg of their quarterfinal series that opened with a 2-2 draw last week.
Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid was impressed by the venue and its place in football lore.
“Obviously, it’s an historic stadium. It’s got so much history to it here,” the 62-year-old, a former United States under-20 national team head coach, said at Tuesday’s training session. “For some of the players, it’s their first time here, so it’s good for them to be able to practice and see it.
“I’ve been here before. It holds a lot of memories for a lot of people. This is a fantastic place to play.”
A win and the resulting semifinal berth would make it even better for the MLS power.
NOTES:
- In SCCL competition, the Seattle Sounders have played in three Mexican stadiums (twice in the Estadio Tecnologico, Monterrey; twice in the Estadio Corona, Torreon; and once in the Estadio Universitario, San Nicolas de los Garza).
