The Seattle Sounders find themselves in an enviable position heading into their final match of Leagues Cup’s Phase One. A win of any kind over Club Tijuana tonight would ensure them a spot in the quarterfinals, and a regulation win likely pushes them to the top of the MLS standings. Their +8 goal difference also gives them a five-goal cushion on any team they’d potentially be tied with as long as they can claim at least a point.
Although there will likely be at least some rotation from the Santos Laguna match on Sunday, the Sounders are expected to roll out a lineup that has plenty of first-choice players and should be capable of securing the result.
Tijuana are coming off a 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids, but also lost 5-2 to the LA Galaxy in their first game. They have already been eliminated from Leagues Cup advancement. More broadly, they have been a solidly mid-table team in Liga MX for most of the past decade.
They do have arguably the most promising Liga MX prospect in 16-year-old Gilberto Mora, who had two goals against the Galaxy, scored in the MLS All-Star Game and started against the United States in the Gold Cup final.
Notes
- Georgi Minoungou is suspended for this match after picking up two yellow cards against Santos Laguna.
- Stefan Frei has cleared concussion protocol, according to head coach Brian Schmetzer, and could potentially be available off the bench tonight.
- Although the the Sounders have faced Tijuana in a friendly, this will be their first competitive meeting.
- The Sounders have an all-time record of 11-12-5 against Liga MX opponents across competitions during their MLS era.
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Absences: Injury, international duty and suspension
Seattle
OUT: João Paulo (knee); Jordan Morris (shoulder); Paul Arriola (knee); Stuart Hawkins (quad); Georgi Minoungou (suspended)
Tijuana
not available
Recent form
Sounders: WWDWD
Tijuana: WLDLW
Referees
REF: Katja KOROLEVA (USA); AR1: Felisha MARISCAL (USA); AR2: Shirley PERELLO (HON); 4TH: Marianela ARAYA CRUZ (CRC); VAR: Francia María GONZÁLEZ MARTÍNEZ (MEX); AVAR: Oscar MACÍAS ROMO (MEX)
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How to Watch
Match date/kickoff time: Wednesday, August 6, 8 PM PT
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle
Global Streaming English: MLS Season Pass (Chris Wittyngham & Lori Lindsey)
Global Streaming Spanish: MLS Season Pass (Diego Pessolano & Daniel Brailovsky)
Local English Radio: none
Local Spanish Radio: El Rey 1360 AM (Rodriguez, Maqueda, Tapia)
Is this game available to stream for free? No
Will Sounders radio be available as an alternate feed? No
