SEATTLE, Washington – The stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League, as the Seattle Sounders host Pumas of Liga MX in the second leg of the 2022 SCCL Final on Wednesday night at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington.
The two sides played to a thrilling 2-2 draw last Wednesday in the first leg in Mexico City in which Pumas FW Juan Dinenno scored a pair of goals and was matched by Seattle MF Nicolas Lodeiro, who tallied a pair of his own.
In the SCCL era, Liga MX sides have fared very well in the away leg of the Final versus MLS teams, as Monterrey in 2010-11, Club America in 2014-15 and Chivas in 2018 all earned victories in their respective series.
The margins have also been as thin as they come in regards to teams from the United States playing at home versus Mexican clubs. In 44 total matches, U.S. teams have a 17W-10D-17L record, with 52 goals scored and 53 conceded.
The Sounders follow a similar trend at home against Mexican sides, with four wins, one draw and three defeats against Liga MX opponents in the SCCL.
Game Notes, Stats Seattle Sounders FC and Pumas in SCCL
There is no shortage of playmakers and attacking stars on each side, with Seattle boasting the ever-dangerous Lodeiro, who has four goals in the tournament, while MF Cristian Roldan has been a consistent force in collecting five assists and drawing two penalties.
Pumas will be led by their talisman, Dinenno, who has enjoyed a scorching run of form with nine goals in the 2022 SCCL. Not to be overlooked though are players like Diogo and Rogerio, plus MF Sebastian Saucedo, who often provides a spark.
In goal, both teams enjoy two of the best in the region. Seattle shot-stopper Stefan Frei leads the 2022 SCCL in saves with 24, while Pumas counterpart Alfredo Talavera is right behind in second with 19 saves.
In a series that shapes up to be very even, things could well come down to which GK makes the game-saving save at the most pivotal moment.
Match Officials Seattle Sounders FC (USA) vs Pumas UNAM (Mexico)
Referee: Said Martinez (Honduras)
1st assistant referee: Walter Lopez (Honduras)
2nd assistant referee: Raymundo Feliz (Dominican Republic)
Fourth official: Jose Torres (Puerto Rico)
VAR: Ricardo Montero (Costa Rica)
AVAR1: Selvin Brown (Honduras)
