The Seattle Sounders are visiting Honduran side F.C. Motagua in the Round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions League on Thursday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. PT. The second leg of the home-and-home aggregate series will be played at Lumen Field the following Thursday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 p.m. PT (TICKETS).
Here is everything you need to know about the Sounders’ first-round opponent.
Full club name: Club de Fútbol Motagua
Nickname: Ciclón Azul (Blue Cyclone)
Founded: 1928
Location: San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Stadium: Estadium OlÃmpico Metropolitano
Club honors:
- 17-time Honduran league champion (Last: 2018-19 Clausura)
- 2016-17 Honduran Super Cup winner
Manager: Diego Vásquez
The 50-year-old Argentine has led Motagua since 2013 after retiring from his playing career in 2011, which included several years at Motagua.
2022 Clausura standings: 2-1-1 (7 points, 3rd place)
Players to know:
- Roberto Moreira: The 34-year-old Paraguayan forward has enjoyed a ton of success since joining Motagua from the Argentine first division in 2018. He has 54 goals in 131 appearances.
- Juan Delgado: The 29-year-old midfielder is in his second year with Motagua after spending his first seven seasons as a professional with fellow Liga Nacional side Honduras Progreso. The Honduran international has four caps for Los Catrachos, including a start in a 3-0 loss to the United States in 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying on Feb. 2.
- Denil Maldonado: The 23-year-old center back rejoined Motagua on Feb. 8 after going out on loan to Mexico’s Pachuca and Chile’s Everton. The young defender has a bright international future, with 13 caps already including seven during this most recent World Cup Qualifying window. Like Delgado, he started for Honduras against the United States on Feb. 2.
