The Seattle Sounders are hosting Liga MX’s Pumas UNAM on Monday in the Round of 16 of the 2024 Leagues Cup. Here is everything you need to know:
LEAGUES CUP PRIMER: Held across the United States and Canada, Leagues Cup 2024 is a Concacaf-sanctioned tournament that sees all 47 clubs from MLS and Liga MX compete in a World Cup-style tournament from July 26 to Aug. 25.
WHAT’S AT STAKE: In addition to region supremacy, Leagues Cup will determine three qualifiers for the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup, offering a pathway to potentially representing the region at the FIFA Club World Cup.
WHEN AND WHERE: Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT at Lumen Field (TICKETS).
WHERE TO WATCH: The match will be available to watch on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. It will also be televised in English on FS1 and in Spanish on UniMás.
WHERE TO LISTEN: The match will air in English on 950 KJR AM and in Spanish on El Rey 1360AM.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Sounders: West Group 6 runners-up, defeated LA Galaxy 3-1 in Round of 32; Pumas: West Group 1 runners-up, defeated Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 in Round of 16
2024 RECORDS AND STANDINGS: Seattle: 10-8-7 (37 points, 7th MLS West), Pumas: 3-0-1 (10 points, T-1st, Liga MX Apertura)
FORM GUIDE (all competitions, most recent first): Sounders: WLWLW, Pumas: WWLWW
CCL FINAL REMATCH: A little more than two years ago, the Sounders and Pumas faced off for continental supremacy in a two-leg final in the Concacaf Champions League. Seattle came back to draw 2-2 in Mexico City in the first leg before a resounding 3-0 win at home in the return leg gave the Sounders and MLS their first regional title in the modern era.
DEFENSIVE ATTACK: The Sounders blew past the Galaxy in the Round of 32 behind three goals from three different defenders. Yeimar, Jackson Ragen and Alex Roldan all found the score sheet to pave the way.
SUCCESS AGAINST MEXICAN OPPOSITION: Despite falling to Club Necaxa in the final group stage match this year, Seattle has had strong showings against its opponents from south of the border. The Sounders took down Tigres and Santos Laguna en route to the 2021 Leagues Cup Final before ousting Club Léon and Pumas in their 2022 Champions League-winning run.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Chino Huerta, winger
Huerta has been one of the best attackers in Liga MX since he joined from Chivas two years ago. The 23-year-old Mexican international has three goals in seven matches in all competitions to start this year and has been linked with a big-money move to La Liga’s Girona.
