The Seattle Sounders will likely face the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16, following the tournament draw on Tuesday. Thanks to winning the Leagues Cup, the Sounders received a bye into that round. The Whitecaps, who are the No. 6-ranked team in Concacaf’s club rankings, are the highest-ranked team the Sounders could have possibly faced in the Round of 16.
The Whitecaps will first have to navigate a First Round series against Costa Rican side CS Cartaginés, who finished third in their domestic league’s most recent season and earned qualification through the Concacaf Central American Cup. They are currently competing in the Apertura playoffs.
Whoever the Sounders face, the home leg on March 15-17 won’t be at Lumen Field, which is unavailable due to grass being installed ahead of the Men’s World Cup. The Sounders have not confirmed where that match will be played instead. The away leg is scheduled for March 10-12.
Last year, they had planned to play their quarterfinal home leg at One Spokane Stadium after Starfire Stadium was rejected by Concacaf officials as a possible location. Lumen Field should be available if the Sounders advance to the quarterfinals this year. It is not currently clear if Lumen would be available if the Sounders were to advance to the Concacaf Champions Cup final and collect enough points to have hosting privileges. The final is scheduled for May 30, 16 days before the first World Cup match is scheduled to be played at Lumen Field.
Most likely waiting in the quarterfinals is Liga MX giants Tigres UANL or FC Cincinnati.
