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The Seattle Sounders have played in three U.S. Open Cup title games and three MLS Cup playoff series, but the match against Santos Laguna in the CONCACAF Champions League on March 7 may be the biggest match in franchise history. Not to be too much of a shill, but if you're enough of a fan of this team to be reading this blog, you probably should plan on being at Century Link Field that day. If you aren't a season-ticket holder, today's your chance to get tickets, as they go on sale at 10 a.m.
Just to put a little more added importance on this game, the Sounders' claim as kings of attendance is already being challenged by Toronto FC. When they last reported on ticket sales, they had surpassed 35,000 for their CCL quarterfinal against the LA Galaxy, which will be held indoors at Rogers Centre. The current capacity is 45,000.
It's not clear whether or not the Sounders plan on opening seating beyond the 38,500 that is the new "normal" capacity, but even if they don't a sellout would be a pretty strong message to send to the world about how we view CCL. Just imagine how cool it would be to say that more than 80,000 people attended CCL matches hosted by MLS teams on March 7. It's not UEFA Champions League, but it's the closest thing we have.
Just a small reminder: The away leg for this quarterfinal will be on Wednesday, March 14 at 5 p.m. Sounder at Heart is hosting a viewing party that day, at which we'll be handing out the 2012 scarves (still available for order). Whether or not you ordered a scarf, you are invited. We should have details finalized this week, but we can tell you that it looks like it will be all ages and be held at a facility in Capitol Hill.