One of Mexico's most storied teams in Cruz Azul will make its debut at Lumen Field on Wednesday. La Máquina (The Machine) will play the Sounders in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16 series.
Cruz Azul is a six-time CCC winner and nine-time Liga MX champion, but the last international title was in 2014. The club is currently unstable after an abrupt coaching change and lost stadium lease in January. On the field La Máquina coach Vicente Sánchez, who had the interim tag removed last month, might not field his first-choice lineup against the Sounders.
According to FOX Sports, the club traveled without six players, including former Atlanta United striker Giorgos Giakoumakis, due to fitness. Top center back Willer Ditta is questionable due to food poisoning.
It may not matter for the Sounders since attacker Mateusz Bogusz is reportedly ready for the match. The Polish international caused problems when he suited up for Los Angeles FC the past two years.
Bogusz, who had 20 goals across all competitions last year, was transferred to Cruz Azul for a reported $10 million fee.
The Sounders are one of seven MLS clubs remaining in the tournament. They're looking to rebound from a 2-0 road loss to Real Salt Lake on Saturday. Seattle flopped on both sides of the ball, including giving up an own goal and getting shut out after bagging eight goals in its previous three matches to open the 2025 campaign.
Here's a look at the match:
Sounders (2-0-0) vs Cruz Azul (2-0-0)
Time/place: 7:30 p.m. at Lumen Field in Seattle
TV: FS2 and ViX
Radio: None
Series history: This is the first meeting.
Storylines
Defense wanted
Away goals are the first tiebreaker in CCC competitions, so the Sounders need to lock down their goal Wednesday. Cruz Azul was 7-0 against Haiti's Real Hope to advance to the Round of 16. Mexican striker Ángel Sepúlveda led with three goals in the series, but he's one of the players expected to not play against Seattle.
The Sounders have conceded six goals across all competitions to start the season, and each had basic defensive errors -- two being own goals. Seattle needs to improve quickly to set itself up for a tough second leg at Estadio Olímpico Universitario in Mexico City on March 11.
Standing out
Sounders midfielders Pedro de la Vega and Paul Arriola have stood out in CCC play with a combined five goals. Another player making an early mark is trade acquisition Jesús Ferreira. He had the assists on both of Arriola's goals against Antigua.
Ferreira started the season building strength in his legs and could be ready for a full 90-minute run. The Sounders could use his attacking ability and hold up play in creating scoring chances. Ferreira only played 21 minutes against RSL.
Quotable
"Whenever you face a Mexican side, they're exceptionally aggressive," said Sounders keeper Stefan Frei, who could be replaced by Andrew Thomas due to playing 90 minutes Saturday. "They don't beat around the bush. They really go for goal. The tension is going to be high and there isn't much room for error. It's probably a good thing for us. We've made some errors in the past, lapses here and there, which is to be expected in the beginning of the season. Some good wake up calls because against a Mexican side, they'll pounce on that. If they smell blood, they'll go for it. I'm confident that we have enough leadership that has experienced that before to pass that along to guys who haven't."