Brad Evans (black jersey) celebrates after converting a penalty kick in the Seattle Sounders’ Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League win over visiting Olimpia on August 19, 2015.
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When the CCL draw was made, Group F – consisting of MLS sides Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps and CCL stalwart Olimpia of Honduras – was tabbed by many as the “group of death”, and it has lived up to the billing.
Seattle undoubtedly controlled Olimpia throughout the match, unable to find a breakthrough route until the very end. “With about 15 minutes to go, I was thinking, “We don’t deserve to lose this game. I’m sure he’s mad but I’m going to reach out to him, and hopefully we can come to an agreement that the three points is the best overall outcome”. There’s no team we can take lightly.
Peralta made another costly mistake three minutes later when he fouled Seattle’s Dylan Remake in the box and a penalty was awarded to the Sounders. He’s talking trash, so I score a PK [in the] 97th minute he’s going to hear back.
The inability to clearly communicate on defense cost the Sounders dearly as the Honduras side got on the the board early when Oscar Sala’s sent a curling ball that found an open Alberth Elis who promptly snap headed the ball it into the back of Sounders goal to give the visitors a 1-0 lead after just five minutes of play. And I know for Olimpia it helps get the atmosphere that is positive for us and creates more issues for them, makes them think that they’re playing away: not only that they have to travel, but they can feel that they’re away because the crowd’s there. Thomas was also denied by an acrobatic Vallarde save, and though Lamar Neagle caught the ‘keeper in no-man’s land midway through the second half, his lofted header floated wide of the second half.
Seattle had multiple opportunities to tie or take the lead before their late-game comeback.
The active Kovar almost brought the teams on level terms in the 77th minute only for his bending free kick from 32-yards out beat the Olimpia wall, but not the post. Seattle had an 18-3 advantage in shots and almost 70 percent of the possession. I thought we were the better team throughout the match.
Seattle Sounders FC’s Zach Scott, left, fights for control of the…
The Sounders will likely used a reserve-heavy lineup in this match, which follows a 4-0 MLS win over Orlando on Sunday, and precedes a Saturday date at RSL.
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The Sounders concluded work today for their CCL group-stage match with Olimpia of Honduras, 7 p.m. Wednesday at CenturyLink Field.
