SOUNDERS THROUGH TO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTERFINALS

Major League Soccer (MLS) giants Seattle Sounders have qualified for the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals after seeing off Motagua FC of Honduras in their last 16 tie. Seattle Sounders did a good job in the first leg after forcing hosts Motagua to a goalless draw in Honduras last week Thursday. The job was then finished in the second leg at Lumen Field on Thursday thanks to the emphatic 5-0 win for an aggregate victory of 5-0. Five different players found the back of the net for the Seattle Sounders in the second leg and they are Nicholas Lodeiro, Leo Chu, Jordan Morris, Kelyn Rowe and Cristian Roldan.

Uruguayan midfielder Lodeiro started the scoring for Sounders on 33 minutes for what was the first goal of the year. Seattle Sounders led 1-0 at the half-time interval thanks to the goal from Lodeiro. Lodeiro then turned provider at the start of the second half after his free-kick was turned into the back of the net by Roldan from point-blank range. It took just one second half minute for Seattle Sounders to double their lead.

Ten minutes after their second goal, Sounders added a third goal through Morris off the assist from Roldan. It was afirst goal for Morris since the 2020 MLS Cup playoffs. Roldan then claimed his second assist of the game when he crossed the ball for substitute Rowe to score the fourth goal just after the hour mark. Chu wrapped the big win on 74 minutes after he applied the finish from a tight angle.

The reward for seeing off Montagua in the last 16 for Sounders is a two-legged tie with Club Leon of Mexico in the quarterfinals. The two teams last met during the 2021 Leagues Cup final with Club Leon running out 3-2 winners in Las Vegas.