By Tony Álvarez
Chivas had only pride to play for, and they made it count with a 2-1 comeback victory over Seattle Sounders FC at Lumen Field. In an atmosphere that at times felt more like a home game for Guadalajara, El Rebaño Sagrado rallied from an early deficit to eliminate the Sounders from contention for the Leagues Cup Quarterfinals.
The match began at a slow pace, with neither side creating much danger from open play. It seemed as though a set piece might be needed to break the deadlock, and that is exactly what happened. Seattle found the breakthrough from a corner kick on the left, as Jesús Ferreira headed the delivery back across the goalmouth and Gallatin Sandnes applied the finishing touch to give the Sounders a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.
Chivas then had to deal with an unfortunate setback when Bryan González suffered an injury. His departure opened the door for youngster Hugo Camberos, fresh off his participation with the Mexican National Team at the Concacaf U-20 tournament, and the substitute quickly made his presence felt.
Camberos provided a spark going forward and produced one of Chivas’ best opportunities of the first half. In the 32nd minute, he unleashed a long-range effort from outside the box that forced the goalkeeper into a save and earned Guadalajara a corner. Despite showing more attacking intent as the half progressed, Chivas could not find the equalizer and went into the break trailing by a goal.
That changed in the second half.
More young players entered for Guadalajara, and as the visitors began creating more dangerous opportunities, their confidence grew. The equalizer finally arrived in the 61st minute. After a cross into the area and a series of rebounds, Luis Gabriel Rey reacted quickly and drilled a left-footed finish inside the near post to make it 1-1.
It did not take long for Chivas to complete the comeback. Just 11 minutes later, Luis Romo controlled the ball on the left and delivered a precise cross into the area, where Santiago Sandoval directed a header toward the far corner to put Guadalajara ahead 2-1.
From there, El Rebaño Sagrado took control. Chivas managed possession, limited Seattle’s opportunities and saw out the result to secure its first and only victory of the 2026 Leagues Cup.
For Guadalajara, it was a positive way to close out its tournament despite already being eliminated. For Seattle, the defeat proved much more costly, ending the Sounders’ hopes of advancing to the Quarterfinals and bringing their title defense to an abrupt end.
REACCIONES
- Chivas Head Coach Gabriel Milito:
- “We have a style of play that doesn't depend on specific big names; we don't have a squad of superstars—we aren't a team where there is a clear divide between starters and finishers—but the level is very even. I consider ours to be a very balanced squad”
- "The format of this competition doesn't allow you to play poorly for five minutes, let alone twenty minutes or an entire half, because you're up against good teams, and turning the situation around afterwards isn't that easy”.
- Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer:
- "What I told the team in there is the effort, starting with the captain and (the rest of the players), that’s what it means to wear the jersey, that’s what it means, the way those guys fought was the best thing about this evening”.
JUGADORES DEL PARTIDO
- Chivas
- Luis Rey and Santiago Sandoval each scored key second half goals to give their team the win.
DATOS DEL PARTIDO
- Chivas earned their first 2026 Leagues Cup win.
- Both teams are eliminated from Leagues Cup tournament.
- Seattle Sounders FC only won one game in 2026 Leagues Cup.
- Large number of Chivas supporters were in the stands.
TARJETAS/REPORTE DE LESIONES
- Tarjetas Amarillas:
- Chivas: Luis Rey
PRÓXIMO JUEGO
- Chivas de Guadalajara, eliminated from Leagues Cup contention, will play Santos Laguna on August 16 in Liga MX.
- Seattle Sounders FC, eliminated from Leagues Cup contention, will play Vancouver Whitecaps FC on August 16 in MLS play.
