Behind two second-half penalty kicks from Nicolas Lodeiro, Seattle Sounders FC secured a 2-2 draw in Leg 1 of the their Concacaf Champions League Final series against Liga MX side Pumas UNAM on Wednesday evening at Estadio Olímpico Universitario.
Three goals were scored from the penalty spot, including Pumas' opener in the 38th minute through CCL leading scorer Juan Ignacio Dinenno. Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei saved Dinenno's initial attempt from the spot, but Pumas were awarded a re-take on Video Review after it was determined Frei came off his line early. Dinenno drilled the ensuing opportunity, affording the hosts a 1-0 first-half lead.
That advantage was extended to 2-0 shortly after the second-half kickoff, as Dinenno struck for his brace. The Argentine striker headed home a pinpoint cross from Jesús Rivas, directing a ball that Sounders center back Yeimar Gomez Andrade misjudged.
With their series hopes on the ropes, the Sounders struck back twice from the spot, both lifelines delivered by Lodeiro. The first came in the 77th minute for a handball in the Pumas area, with the second coming in the 99th minute after Cristian Roldan won a spot-kick. The Uruguayan midfielder went to goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera's left-hand side both times.
Video Review confirmed the initial Lodeiro opportunity after Raul Ruidiaz's cross was blocked, then Roldan was fouled in the box deep into second-half stoppage time – a call awarded following a closer look at the monitor.
The road result from Mexico City delivered the Sounders a level scoreline heading into Leg 2 at Lumen Field on May 4, with their quest at becoming Major League Soccer's first CCL champion squarely within their grasp.
Goals
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: It’s hard to overstate how drastically the script changed for Seattle during the second half, with the Rave Green facing what would have been a daunting 2-0 deficit until Lodeiro’s two PKs. They're now in great position to see out a historic victory thanks to the late rally, which bookended an all-around wild first leg. They still need to take care of business in Leg 2, but returning home to the friendly confines of Lumen Field, Seattle have a strong outlook.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Lodeiro's 99th-minute equalizer flipped this whole series on its head, giving Seattle a comeback result that's yet another chapter in CCL lore.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Could it be anyone else? Lodeiro added to his already entrenched status as a club legend with a pair of ice-cold PKs.
Next Up
- SEA: Wednesday, May 4 vs. Pumas UNAM | 10 pm ET (FS1, TUDN) | CCL Final Leg 2
