The Seattle Sounders advance to the group stages of the CONCACAF Champions League after 120 harrowing minutes of football, beating San Francisco FC 2-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate. After a disappointing reverse in Panama, where the Sounders dominated but lost 1-0, the Sounders needed to score at least twice to avoid extra time at Qwest CenturyLink Field.
Seattle Sounders Vs. San Francisco FC, CONCACAF Champions League: Sounders Pull Off Extra Time Win
They didn't quite manage that, although an Alvaro Fernandez goal in the 40th minute courtesy of a Leonardo Gonzalez delivery did manage to avoid an embarrassing aggregate defeat. Despite a huge amount of pressure by the hosts and almost ludicrously easy opportunities to score in the second half, the ninety minutes passed with the score 1-0 to the Sounders, and the game progressed to extra time.
A single goal from San Francisco would have seen them holding a commanding aggregate/away goals lead, and that if the visitors scored Seattle would then have to win 3-1 to avoid being dumped out. Small wonder that the home crowd appeared somewhat anxious during the opening stages of extra time. In fact, that aura of vague fear didn’t dissipate even after Nate Jaque slammed home a loose ball to give Seattle a 2-0 lead - San Francisco would still go through if they scored.
Fortunately for the enraptured home crowd, their guests never really threatened to crack the Sounders’ defence, and it was the hosts who threatened more for the remainder of extra time. San Francisco gave it a good run, but like many teams far better than they are, failed to get the result they needed in the Northwest. Seattle, in the meantime, limp into the group stages. The fact that their performance was pretty poor is neither here or there - they got in, and that’s what matters.
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