Seattle Sounders Come Back to Tie Pumas UNAM in Champions League Finals First Leg

Pumas' Brazilian player Higor Meritao (R) vies for the ball with Cristian Roldan (L) of the Seattle Sounders during their first leg CONCACAF Champions League final match at the Olimipico Universitario, in Mexico City, on April 27, 2022. (Alfredo Estrella/Getty Images)

In the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Finals, the Seattle Sounders scored two late goals from penalty kicks to draw 2–2 against Pumas UNAM on Wednesday in Mexico City; the draw gives the Sounders a great advantage as the second leg returns to Seattle next Wednesday.

The Seattle Sounders hope to make history, as the only U.S. clubs to win this competition are DC United in 1998 and the LA Galaxy in 2000.

The CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football) Champions League is an annual continental club soccer competition organized by the governing body of CONCACAF beginning in 1962.

To qualify, a team must finish in the top several positions within their respective home leagues for a berth in the regional tournament.

The winner of the CONCACAF Champions League automatically qualifies for a spot in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup champions. This year will mark the 57th anniversary of the event.

The final 1st leg match between Pumas UNAM and Seattle Sounders as part of the CONCACAF Champions League 2022 at Olimpico Universitario Stadium, in Mexico City, on April 27, 2022. (Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)

The tournament currently uses a knockout format since 2018, as it was structured with an initial group stage, similar to the World Cup.

It was initially called the CONCACAF Champions Cup, won by 28 clubs; 13 of whom have won multiple titles.

Mexican clubs have hold the highest number of titles with 36 titles, while Costa Rica’s Primera Division is second with six titles.

The UEFA (European) Champions League is the most coveted of the six international regions and has produced the most FIFA Club World Cup champions.

converted two second-half penalties, including one in the ninth minute of stoppage time, to lift the Seattle Sounders to a 2-2 draw against Pumas UNAM on Wednesday at Mexico City in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final.

Game Recap by Field Level Media

Nicolas Lodeiro converted two second-half penalty kicks, including one in the ninth minute of stoppage time, to lift the Seattle Sounders to a 2–2 draw against Pumas UNAM on Wednesday at Mexico City in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final.

Juan Ignacio Dinenno had scored goals on either side of halftime to give Pumas a 2-0 lead.

The final 1st leg match between Pumas UNAM and Seattle Sounders as part of the CONCACAF Champions League 2022 at Olimpico Universitario Stadium, in Mexico City, on April 27, 2022. (Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)

The two-leg, total-goal series will conclude in Seattle on May 4.

In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Pumas’ Efrain Velarde pulled down Cristian Roldan in the penalty area. No call was initially made, but a penalty was awarded after a video review, and Lodeiro fired home the penalty kick in the ninth minute of stoppage time.

Lodeiro’s penalty kick in the 77th minute came after a hand-ball call against Pumas’ Sebastian Saucedo in the 18-yard box.

Dinenno converted a 38th-minute penalty kick after drawing a foul in the penalty box. He went down when sandwiched between two Seattle defenders when receiving a pass near the top of the box.

In the 48th minute, Pumas’ Jesus Rivas delivered a perfect cross from the right flank, and Dinenno headed home the ball from 12 yards out to double the advantage. Rivas entered the game as a substitute just before halftime when Alan Mozo exited due to an injury.

Pumas, playing in the CONCACAF Champions League final for the first time, are trying to become the 17th straight Mexican club to claim the confederation championship. Pumas won the precursor to the CONCACAF Champions League, the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, in 1980, 1982, and 1989 and finished as runner-up in 2005.

The final 1st leg match between Pumas UNAM and Seattle Sounders as part of the CONCACAF Champions League 2022 at Olimpico Universitario Stadium, in Mexico City, on April 27, 2022. (Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)

The Sounders are in their first CONCACAF final. The last U.S. team to capture the confederation championship was the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2000.

UEFA Champions League Results: (first leg, home team on left)

Manchester City 4–3 Real Madrid

Liverpool 2–0 Villareal

Field Level Media contributed to this report.