MIAMI, Florida – The Seattle Sounders and Pumas both survived tough road tests in their semifinal second legs to reach the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Final.
Here is a look back at the top five moments from the two games.
Frei's big saves
There is just something about the spotlight of a big game that brings out the best in Frei. Seattle fans will always remember his heroics in the Final of 2016 MLS Cup against Toronto FC, and it is safe to say that his performance on Wednesday night in the semifinal second leg against New York City FC will rank up there. Frei finished with six saves, including a pair of stops when it seemed like an NYCFC goal was evident. With Frei in goal, Seattle will fancy their chances in the Final.
Another chance for Talavera
Pumas GK Alfredo Talavera has enjoyed a storied career with titles at both the club and national team level, but one trophy that has eluded the 39-year-old is the SCCL. After his clean sheet on Tuesday, Talavera will get another shot at being a Concacaf champion. His previous opportunity came in the 2013-14 edition as a member of Toluca, who narrowly fell to Cruz Azul in the Final, 1-1 with Cruz Azul winning on the away goal tiebreaker. Now eight years later, opportunity has come knocking for Talavera in the SCCL.
Seattle become fifth MLS team in Final
The Sounders etched their names into the SCCL history books on Wednesday night by becoming the fifth MLS team to advance to the Final. Seattle joins Real Salt Lake (2010-11), Montreal Impact (2014-15), Toronto FC (2018) and Los Angeles FC (2020) as MLS teams to have reached the SCCL Final. The Sounders will also be just the third MLS team to host the second leg of the Final. Both Real Salt Lake and Montreal hosted the second leg of their respective Finals after earning draws away in the first leg, but were unable to claim the title.
Pumas’ first Concacaf final since 2005
Pumas also made some history this week in reaching their first Concacaf Final since 2005 when they faced Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica in the Final of the Concacaf Champions Cup. Ironically, that was also the last time a team not from Liga MX was crowned champions of Concacaf. Prior to that 2005 Final, Pumas’ last Concacaf Final was in 1989 when they defeated Pinar del Rio of Cuba to take the title.
Liga MX-MLS rivalry set to continue in Final
This year’s Final will also see a continuation of the great Liga MX-MLS rivalry in SCCL Finals. Liga MX captured the crown in the previous four finals, with Monterrey defeating Real Salt Lake in 2010-11, Club America topping the Montreal Impact in 2014-15, Chivas edging Toronto FC in 2018 and Tigres downing LAFC in 2020. Fans in both countries will be eagerly waiting to see if Liga MX’s title streak will be finally broken or not.
