Cesar Delgado scored a 60th minute goal and backup goalkeeper Juan de Dios Ibarra made a point-blank save a few minutes later as Monterrey held off the Seattle Sounders for a 2-1 win in CONCACAF Champions League group play on Tuesday. The win allowed Monterrey, the defending CCL champions, to win Group D. The Sounders had already clinched a berth in the quarterfinals, but would have won the group witha tie.
Seattle Sounders Vs. Monterrey, 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League: Los Rayados Win Group D
Delgado's goal came off some pretty shoddy defensive work from the Sounders. The Monterrey attack was started on a turnover in the defensive third and created an odd-man rush. Humberto Suazo took the first shot of the sequence, which deflected off a Sounders defender and went out to Delgado. It was Delgado's second goal of the tournament in just his second appearance.
The Sounders had a golden opportunity to equalize when Patrick Ianni got a free header inside the goal box, but Ibarra was able to make a diving save. Ibarra had entered the match only moments earlier for an injured Jonathan Orozco.
Until Delgado’s goal, the Sounders seemed to be in good position to pull out the tie and become just the second MLS team to win their CCL group. It would have also marked the first time a MLS team had gone undefeated against a Mexican team.
Fredy Montero scored the Sounders goal on a well taken free kick in the 42nd minute. It was his third goal of the tournament and his 18th goal in all competitions this season.
Dario Carreno gave Monterrey the early lead with his fifth goal of the tournament.
For more on the Sounders, be sure to check out Sounder at Heart. For all the latest updates on CCL action, be sure to follow this StoryStream.
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