On Thursday evening, the Sounders will play the first leg of the 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League against Santa Tecla FC. This is the fifth edition of the tournament for the Rave Green, having qualified for the regional competition after winning MLS Cup in 2016. Let’s take a look at how the club has fared up to this point.
Note: There is no Group Stage this year, which cuts the number of clubs from 24 to 16 and total matches from 62 to 30. In recent years, the Sounders would compete in one of eight, three-team groups. Now it just goes straight to a 16-team draw, which was held last December.
2010-2011
Qualification
Winning 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Results
Play-in
Sounders FC 1 vs. Metapan 0
Seattle, Washington
Sounders FC 1 at Metapan 1
San Salvador, El Salvador
Group Stage
1-5-0 record
Best Moment:
Alvaro Fernandez’s goal in the 71st minute against Metapan put the Rave Green ahead 2-1 on aggregate. The club held the scoreline for the remaining 20 minutes, advancing the Sounders to the Group Stage in their first CONCACAF Champions League.
2011-2012
Qualification
Winning 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Results
Group Stage
3-2-1 record
Quarterfinals
Sounders FC 2 vs. Santos Laguna 1
Seattle, Washington
Sounders FC 1 at Santos Laguna 6
Torreon, Mexico
Best Moment
Once again Alvaro Fernandez provided the club’s best moment of the tournament, scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 win over reigning CCL champion CF Monterrey in Mexico. The momentum of this massive victory propelled the Rave Green to the quarterfinals for the first time.
MORE: All you need to know for Santa Tecla FC
2012-2013
Qualification
Winning 2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Results
Group Stage
4-0-0 record
Quarterfinals
Sounders FC 0 at Tigres UANL 1
Monterrey, Mexico
Sounders FC 3 vs. Tigres UANL 1
Seattle, Washington
Semifinals
Sounders FC 0 vs. Santos Laguna 1
Seattle, Washington
Sounders FC 1 at Santos Laguna 1
Torreon, Mexico
Best Moment
One of the most illustrious goals in club history, defender Djimi Traore blasted an absolute screamer from 30 yards out against Tigres UANL, giving Seattle the series lead and sending CenturyLink Field into a frenzy. With the series win, the Sounders became the first MLS club to oust a Mexico side from the tournament.
2015-2016
Qualification
Winning the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
Results
Group Stage
2-2-1 record
Quarterfinals
Sounders FC 2 vs. Club America 2
Seattle, Washington
Best Moment
The first of two goals from Deuce that evening, Clint Dempsey gave the Sounders a 1-0 lead with a beautiful, curling free kick against Club America. Although the Rave Green would eventually fall to the Mexican giant, Dempsey providing one of the top goals we’ve seen at CenturyLink Field. Also of note, Brad Evans scored a game-winning penalty kick seven minutes into second-half stoppage time in an intense moment with heated emotions on both sides against CD Olimpia in Group Stage.
