By Tony Álvarez
If you thought the fun was over, think again, as the first series of Leagues Cup games will end with a bang when Seattle Sounders receive Cruz Azul this Thursday at Lumen Field at 10:30 p.m. ET.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
- Third ever matchup between teams
- CF Cruz Azul has the advantage in two matchups with a win (4-1) and a draw (0-0)
- They faced each other in the round of 16 of the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup
- Record at Leagues Cup: Cruz Azul (3-4), Sounders (3-4)
LAST FIVE GAMES
- Seattle Sounders FC:
- 2 Wins, 3 Draws, 0 Losses
- 4th place in MLS Western Conference
- CF Cruz Azul:
- 3 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Loss
MAIN STORYLINES
- CF Cruz Azul looks to qualify for the Concacaf Champions Cup after winning it in 2024
- Seattle Sounders FC have allowed 10 goals in the last five games
- La Máquina has scored seven goals in their last two games
- Sounders have only one loss at home this season
- Los Cementeros have not won on the road this season
KEY FACTORS:
- Seattle Sounders FC
- Have scored two or more goals in each of their last four games
- Short summer after playing in the FIFA Club World Cup
- No clean sheets in their last five games
- CF Cruz Azul
- Ángel Sepúlveda has scored four goals in the last two games
- Juan Ignacio Rivero is the heart and soul of the team
- Only one clean sheet in the current season
WHAT TO EXPECT?
These two teams have a lot more in common with each other than what people think, as they are both Concacaf Champions Cup winners and they also started their current seasons slow and that´s not the case anymore. Now, the future looks bright for them, and they come in hot.
Sounders are looking solid on offense, scoring plenty of goals as of late and look to capture an eight home win this year with Albert Rusnák and Danny Musovski leading the way, however there are things to fix in their back line after receiving 10 goals after resuming their MLS season and during the FIFA Club World Cup they lost every game they played and conceded seven goals.
CF Cruz Azul on the other hand started they Liga MX season with a with a 0-0 draw at home against Mazatlán FC and then their offense woke up. A 3-3 tie and a 4-1 win lifted their spirits, especially after Ángel Spúlveda's hat trick in their tie at Atlas and another goal in a dominating win versus Club León.
This one will be another nailbiter and people should expect goals from both teams in their 2025 Leagues Cup openers, after all a win to begin the tournament increases a squad´s chances to advance to the knockout stages.
