Liga MX side Club Necaxa defeated the Seattle Sounders 3-1 at Lumen Field on Sunday in the final group stage match of the 2024 Leagues Cup. Obed Vargas opened the scoring for Seattle before Necaxa scored three unanswered by AgustÃn Palavecino, Diber Cambindo and Kevin Rosero.
The Sounders took the lead inside eight minutes when Cristian Roldan played a great ball into space in the box for Vargas, who struck a one-timed effort that snuck inside the far post.
Pedro de la Vega almost doubled the lead two minutes later when Roldan again played a great ball across the front of goal, but de la Vega’s shot was blocked away at the last moment.
De la Vega found the net just a minute after that with a golazo from distance that deflected off the far post and into the net, but Video Review determined Vargas was offside in the buildup and the goal was negated.
Necaxa leveled the match in the 24th minute when Palavecino beat Andrew Thomas from the top of the box.
Necaxa took the lead in the 44th minute after a counterattack on a Sounders attacking corner kick led to a goal from Cambindo.
The Sounders dominated much of the ball and field position in the second half but never really tested goalkeeper Ezequiel Unsain.
Necaxa found a crucial third goal in the third minute of stoppage time that effectively won the group.
Seattle will advance to the Round of 32 where it will take on the LA Galaxy, who were West Group 2 winners.
THREE TAKEAWAYS
Sounders still advance
Despite the loss, the Sounders finish second in West Group 6 with Necaxa coming in first. Minnesota United have been eliminated.
Vargas delivers
The breakout season for Vargas continues with his second goal in all competitions after scoring his first MLS goal earlier this year.
De la Vega exits early
After a promising start to the match, de la Vega exited the match in the 33rd minute for precautionary reasons. The Argentine playmaker has been working his way back into fitness after battling hamstring injuries for much of the season.
