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Using Steve Zakuani and Eddie Johnson as forwards Sigi Schmid's Seattle Sounders created numerous chances, held their own in Mexico and still fall to Santos Laguna in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals. Carlos Quintero opened the scoring for the home side with a 21st minute free kick placed as well as can be. The Rave Green would battle back getting a rebound goal from Lamar Neagle in the 73rd minute after a Zakuani shot.
There were positives. There were negatives. Against a strong favorite, that does not give up goals at home the Sounders managed to challenge one of the top two or three teams in the region. Chance creation favored Seattle. Duels and passing in the attacking third were owned by Santos.
In the end it was the result at home that ended Seattle's run, not their performance in Mexico. Like too many games in the recent Sounders history you can interpret the result to the two leg series how you please. Seattle did not advance, but performed against Mexican sides well enough to see hope for the future of the league season.
This is your measuring stick. Nothing more, nothing less. It is not a great result. It is not a poor result. It is a result that exists.