April 14 – After the cauldron of El Volcan and Tigres UANL’s home support, the Seattle Sounders will look forward to a return to their own Lumen Field that has been undergoing renovation ahead of the 2026 World Cup this summer.
In Monterrey Tigres made their home advantage count with two second half goals to run-out winners 2-0 winners and prevent a Sounders away goal. They will start as favourites to go through to the semi-finals where they winners will meet either Club America or Nashville.
Sounders have form in the Champions Cup, being the only MLS side to have own the title in 2022. That qualified them for last year’s Club World Cup and generated an appetite for more international club football.
Tigres also have one Champions Cup title, won in 2020.
In the Estadio Universitario Tigres peppered the Sounders goalmouth before an Oziel Herrera strike broke the deadlock. The Sounders would have been comfortable returning home with just a one-goal deficit but an own goal by Jackson Ragen in the 76th night spoiled what would have been an outstanding night of defensive work.
Over the tie the Sounders were outshot 22-4 and they know they will have to come out to chase the game if they are to progress.
They will also know that Tigres have been vulnerable away from home. In the first round they left Canada’s Forge FC without scoring, and in the round of 16 went into their home leg against FC Cincinnati 3-0 down.
If the Sounders can sustain periods of meaningful possession in Tigres half and force an early goal then Tigres could crumble. But Sounders have all the work to do and will need to play with more intent than they showed in Mexico.
Champions Cup quarter final second leg
Seattle Sounders – Tigres UANL, April 15, Lumen Field, 8.30pm kick off