Chivas de Guadalajara vs. Seattle Sounders FC
2018 Concacaf Champions League – Quarterfinals, Leg 2
Estadio Akron - Jalisco
10 pm ET – March 14, 2018
WATCH: UDN, UnivisionDeportes.com, go90.com for English audio
A week ago, Seattle Sounders FC completed the historic sweep of MLS sides against Liga MX opposition in the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over Chivas de Guadalajara at CenturyLink Field.
The result put Clint Dempsey’s celebratory mug on the cover of ‘Record’ above the headline “Es Insolting & Unacceptabol” which sets the table for an spicy second leg at Estadio Akron Wednesday night with all the pressure squarely on one of Mexico’s biggest teams.
- Sounders get performance from "big-game" Dempsey
- Rookie Bwana gets sage advice before first start
- Will Bruin expects physicality from Chivas at home
- Tigres, Chivas bosses "respect" MLS rivals
Chivas de Guadalajara
Three changes were made for their next league match following a 1-0 loss to the Sounders FC. Chivas coach Matias Almeyda bringing on fullback Edwin Hernandez, along with midfielder Gael Sandoval and forward Jose Macias to partner with Alan Pulido, who is suspended for the second leg due to yellow card accumulation.
Chivas bounced back with a 1-0 win over Lobos BUAP as Isaac Brizuela made a darting run through the defense to set up Jose Macias in the sixth minute. Guadalajara snapped a seven-match Clausura winless streak that dated back to Jan. 20, and are 15th in the Liga MX Table after picking up 11 points from 11 matches.
“The feeling is one of joy because we needed a win,” Almeyda said. “The players delivered everything on the field and I thank them very much. It is important to add three [points], considering that on Wednesday, we will have a final.”
- Suspended: Alan Pulido
- Suspended after next caution: Jesus Godinez, Rodolfo Cota, Carlos Cisneros
- Injury Report: OUT: D - Jesus Sanchez (right knee); M - Alan Cervantes (left knee); D - Hedgardo Marin (right thigh); QUESTIONABLE: D - Jair Pereira (knee)
Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Rodolfo Cota — Carlos Cisneros, Carlos Salcido, Oswaldo Alanis, Alejandro Mayorga — Michael Perez, Orbelin Pineda — Rodolfo Pizarro, Eduardo Lopez, Isaac Brizuela — Jesus Godinez
Seattle Sounders FC
Like Toronto FC, Seattle didn’t have an MLS matchup in Week 2, allowing the squad to slowly, but surely, get healthier with Kelvin Leerdam fully training with the first team following a sprained right ankle. In his stead, rookie Jordan McCrary has played well at right back, earning praise from Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer.
“Jordan has been a surprise for us. He came into camp just working to get a job and we enjoyed that out of him because we like guys who work hard,” Schmetzer said. “But then he started to catch fire a bit, you could see his confidence grow, his attacking movements are pretty good, his timing going forward is pretty good and he started to impress with some of his soccer. That’s been really pleasant to see.”
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Jordy Delem, Gustav Svensson, Clint Dempsey, Roman Torres, Jordan McCrary
- Injury Report: OUT: F - Jordan Morris (right ACL tear); QUESTIONABLE: M - Victor Rodriguez (right quad strain); D - Kelvin Leerdam (right ankle sprain); M - Osvaldo Alonso (right quad strain)
Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Stefan Frei — Jordan McCrary, Roman Torres, Chad Marshall, Waylon Francis — Gustav Svensson, Cristian Roldan — Nicolas Lodeiro, Clint Dempsey, Handwalla Bwana — Will Bruin
All-Time Series
- Seattle Sounders FC’s 1-0 win over Chivas de Guadalajara in the first leg was the first competitive meting. The sides met in a friendly in Seattle on Oct. 12, 2010 with the Sounders claiming a 3-1 win.
- CONCACAF Champions League history: Seattle Sounders – 4 appearances (2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2015/16) 16 wins, 14 losses, 5 ties (54 goals) … Chivas de Guadalajara - 1 appearance (2012/13) 4 wins, 2 loss, 1 tie (14 goals)
Referees
To be announced …
