CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage Takes Shape

by Jeremiah Oshan on Jul 28, 2011 4:39 PM PDT in Sounders: CONCACAF Champions League

Seattle Sounders FC forward, Mike Fucito (2) dribbles up field in the attack during the 2nd half of the Seattle Sounders FC vs. San Francisco FC match in Panama City, Panama. San Francisco FC won the opening leg of the CCL qualifier 1-0. The teams will meet again in the 2nd leg on 8/3 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA. (Chris Coulter / SoundersPhotos.com)

Facing a 1-0 deficit heading into the home half the CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round, advancing to the Group Stage is far from a foregone conclusion for the Seattle Sounders. If they get there, though, they'll at least know a home match awaits them.

The CCL released the schedule for the first two rounds of the Group Stage on Thursday. The Sounders learned they will host Guatemalan side Comunicaciones on Aug. 16. They will then visit defending CCL champion Monterrey on Aug. 23. The rest of the schedule will be announced after the preliminary round.

The draw would give the Sounders at least one winnable game early in tournament, something they really didn't have last year when they opened with three of four on the road. Their only home game of those four was against Monterrey. The Sounders opened CCL group stage with a loss at Marathon and followed that up with a loss at home against Monterrey. The Sounders then lost road matches at Saprissa and Monterrey, effectively eliminating them from advancement.

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Thank you immesely for posting this!

My hope of a Guatemala away trip lives and is now achievable since it won’t be in August.

by Matthew on Jul 28, 2011 4:48 PM PDT reply actions

Any word on how ticketsales are going for Wednesday the 3rd?

I bought my STH seats for game but hopefully there won’t be empty rows in front of me. I am taking someone who has never been to a Sounders game and hopefully it will be a good crowd.

Nos audietis in somniis, Nos audietis in altum: You will hear us!

by chrisso on Jul 28, 2011 4:53 PM PDT reply actions

If I remember correctly

Last year there were about 8-10k people at the CCL games. The stadium feels pretty cavernous and quiet, but you can go down and chat with the players early :)

by Milo1 on Jul 28, 2011 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions

actually

There were about 17k there for the Metapan game and 22k for Monterrey. It was only after they had lost four straight that attendance fell off.

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by Jeremiah Oshan on Jul 28, 2011 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I just bought tickets today

There were still a few $15 GA tickets left, but the ticket indicated they’re close to sold out. There were also plenty of good $22 tickets left in the 200 levels.

by Dizzo on Jul 28, 2011 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions

I heard that 17k had already been sold as of last Saturday. I’m pretty sure that was said on the Sounder Weekly radio show. I’ll be happy with anything over 20k.

by lefthand on Jul 28, 2011 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions