Introduction

Cruz Azul and Seattle Sounders faced off in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. After a tightly contested first leg in Seattle that ended in a draw, the second leg in Mexico City saw Cruz Azul assert their dominance with a commanding victory to secure their place in the quarter-finals.

First Leg Recap: Seattle 0 – 0 Cruz Azul

The first leg took place at Lumen Field in Seattle and ended in a goalless draw. Both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances. Seattle showed defensive discipline, while Cruz Azul fielded a rotated squad. Despite the home-field advantage, the Sounders were unable to find a breakthrough, and the match concluded with neither side taking control of the tie.

Second Leg Recap: Cruz Azul 4 – 1 Seattle

The return leg was a different story. Played in Mexico City, Cruz Azul came out with intensity and precision. The Mexican side scored four goals, overpowering the Sounders and exposing gaps in their defense. Seattle managed to score once but never truly threatened Cruz Azul’s control of the game.

Goals Summary

• Carlos Rodríguez opened the scoring in the first half, giving Cruz Azul a much-needed lead.

• In the second half, Ángel Sepúlveda converted a penalty to extend the lead.

• Danny Musovski scored Seattle’s only goal, briefly cutting the deficit, but it wasn’t enough to shift the momentum.

• Late goals by Luka Romero and Jorge Sánchez sealed the win for Cruz Azul and put the tie beyond doubt.

Tactical Analysis

Cruz Azul played with aggression, pressing high and forcing Seattle into mistakes. Their midfield dominated possession, and their attackers were clinical when opportunities came. Defensively, they stayed compact and denied Seattle space in the final third.

Seattle, on the other hand, struggled to adjust to the intensity of the game. Their defense was frequently caught out of position, and the midfield failed to maintain consistent pressure. The lone goal was a bright spot, but overall, their attack lacked sharpness.

Key Takeaways

• Cruz Azul won the tie with a 4–1 aggregate score, advancing to the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

• The Sounders’ run ended after a competitive first leg, but the second leg showed the gap in quality and execution.

• Cruz Azul demonstrated depth, tactical discipline, and finishing quality—key traits for progressing further in the tournament.

• Seattle will return to focus on their domestic campaign, where they’ll aim to build momentum and address the defensive lapses exposed in this matchup.

Conclusion

Cruz Azul’s experience and quality proved too much for Seattle Sounders in the second leg. The Mexican side showed why they remain a top contender in the region, while the Sounders exit the competition with valuable lessons ahead of their MLS season. The matchup highlighted the importance of depth, composure, and tactical awareness at the international level.