The Seattle Sounders are poised for a significant challenge as they enter the Leagues Cup, facing off against a formidable opponent in their opening match. This tournament holds immense importance, not only for potential silverware but also for securing coveted berths in future CONCACAF competitions.
Their initial test will be against Cruz Azul, the reigning CONCACAF Champions Cup winners, a team that previously defeated Seattle with a decisive 4-1 aggregate score in the regional tournament’s Round of 16. This past encounter serves as a crucial backdrop for the upcoming Leagues Cup clash, highlighting the quality of the Liga MX side.
Midfielder Albert Rusnák, reflecting on that previous series, acknowledged Cruz Azul as one of the best teams he had faced since joining MLS in 2017. While his perception slightly shifted after recent FIFA Club World Cup matches against European and Brazilian giants, his respect for the Mexican club remains. “Realistically, over the two games we played [Cruz Azul] in Champions Cup, they were the better team,” Rusnák stated, emphasizing their fluid play and aggressive style.
Rusnák anticipates a high-paced and physically demanding game, drawing parallels to their match against Botafogo. He noted, “It’s going to be high paced, a lot of tackles, a challenging game. But these are the games that we want to play.” Such encounters are vital for the Sounders to test their mettle against top-tier international competition within the Football Tournament format.
The stakes in the Leagues Cup are substantial, with automatic berths to the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup tournament on the line for the two finalists. The eventual Leagues Cup winner also advances directly to the CCC Round of 16, and the third-place match winner secures the final CCC berth, making every game critical for future continental aspirations.
This year’s Leagues Cup features a drastically different format from its prior iteration, now including all 18 teams from Mexico’s Liga MX, who will play all their tournament matches in the U.S. For MLS Soccer, only 18 clubs are participating, a strategic move to manage player workload given the 30-team league’s limit of two North American tournaments per club. Both leagues have paused their respective seasons for this Phase One, with knockout rounds scheduled for mid-week and the final on August 31.
Despite recent Club World Cup losses at Lumen Field, the Sounders have historically thrived in their home stadium for MLS and CCC matches. Their impressive 7-1-4 league record at Lumen this season, combined with nine goals scored there since the CWC tournament, suggests a strong home advantage. Rusnák highlighted the added motivation of facing Cruz Azul again, expressing a drive for victory without calling it revenge, acknowledging the previous competitive and high-level games.
This rematch with the reigning CONCACAF Champions Cup winners, who are familiar opponents, injects a unique blend of challenge and motivation for the Sounders. Their previous encounters underscore the quality of play that fans can expect, and the pursuit of a CONCACAF Champions Cup berth adds significant weight to every match.
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