📰 Table Of Contents
Recommended bets
[RECOMMENDED_BETS]
First leg score: Pumas U.N.A.M. 2-2 Seattle Sounders
Three of the last five times that an MLS team had avoided first leg defeat in Mexico, they’ve gone onto win the tie. The two exceptions both occurred in finals. Seattle have won their last three home games against Liga MX clubs, losing just two of eight such match-ups.
bet365 Sports
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets
Both teams to score is 4/5.
Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals is 13/10.
Seattle Sounders to win and both teams to score is 3/1.
Match preview
After an eventful first leg at Estadio Olímpico Universitario, it all comes down to this, with CONCACAF’s biggest club silverware on the line.
Juan Ignacio Dinenno saw a penalty saved by Stefan Frei but, with goalkeeper off his line, a retake was ordered and Dinenno made no mistake second time.
Then, just moments after half time, Jesús Rivas’ cross picked out Dinenno and his powerful header doubled the Mexican club’s advantage.
Seattle were handed a lifeline when Raúl Ruidíaz’s cross was blocked by Sebastian Saucedo’s arm; Nicolás Lodeiro converting from 12 yards.
Then, in the 96th minute, Cristian Roldan went down in the area following a challenge by Efraín Velarde.
After a long VAR delay, referee Iván Barton pointed to the spot four a third time and, with 98:12 on the clock, Lodeiro fired home his second.
So, 2-2 it finished in Mexico City; there’s no away goals in the final but, back at home, you’d think it’s advantage Seattle in this tie.
The Sounders are aiming to become the first MLS winners of this competition since LA Galaxy lifted the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup way back in 2000.
To get this far, the Rave Green have put out F.C. Motagua, Club León and then reigning MLS champions NYCFC in the semi-finals.
Under Head Coach Brian Schmetzer, Seattle have reached four MLS Cups in just six years, lifting the trophy in 2016 and then 2019.
But, having lost the Leagues Cup Final to León in Las Vegas just last September, they’re desperate to win the club’s first continental silverware.
Pumas U.N.A.M. are aiming to maintain Mexico’s monopolisation of this competition, seeking to lift the trophy for the fourth time, last doing so in 1989.
Andrés Lillini’s side have put out Deportivo Saprissa, New England Revolution and six-times winners Cruz Azul to reach this final.
Against the Revs, despite losing the first leg 3-0 in Foxborough, they fought back, eventually advancing via a penalty shootout.
However, their domestic form hasn’t been much to shout about.
Los Universitarios did beat Pachuca 2-0 on Saturday, but this means they’ve finished 11th in the Torneo Clausura, just about qualifying for the Reclassification.
Also, Pumas have won just two of 12 away matches in 2022, form that’ll worry them coming into this final on enemy turf.
Lumen Field will be packed to the rafters, with over 60,000 in attendance, but will they witness history in the CONCACAF Champions League Final?
Seattle Sounders team news
Brian Schmetzer’s side didn’t have an MLS fixture at the weekend to help them prepare for this historic occasion.
So, it seems likely that their XI will be similar to the one that drew in Mexico City last Wednesday.
36 year old goalkeeper Stefan Frei made his Sounders debut over eight years ago and is looking to win his fifth major trophy with the club.
Left-back Nouhou is also a key figure; he helped hosts Cameroon reached the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals earlier this year.
The star men though are in attack where captain Nicolás Lodeiro will be flanked by Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan.
Peruvian striker Raúl Ruidíaz has scored 62 goals in 104 Seattle appearances, so can he now fire them to Champions League glory?
Pumas UNAM team news
As was made abundantly clear in the first leg, Pumas’ danger man is Juan Ignacio Dinenno.
He scored twice in that game, before bagging two more at the weekend, taking his tally to 19 for the campaign, having scored 16 last season.
Fellow key figures, such as Favio Álvarez and Leonel López, were also only on the bench against Pachuca, but will come back in for this one.
Alan Mozo went off injured at half time a week ago, meaning Jesús Rivas is expected to come in at right-back.
– 101 Great Goals may earn commission from links on this page. Our content is always original. Note that all of our reviewers are compensated for contributing content to 101 Great Goals. Learn more.
