Seattle Sounders Unleash Historic Leagues Cup Fury in Stunning Revenge Performance
History was quickly written in the 2025 Leagues Cup tournament.
Thursday evening witnessed Seattle Sounders absolutely crushing the defending Concacaf Champions Cup champions, Cruz Azul, in a stunning 7–0 victory, showing no restraint in their opening tournament display, delivering breathtaking moments right until the final whistle.
Six distinct players found the back of the net, all scoring during the second period after a goalless first half against the identical opposition that had previously eliminated the Sounders in the Champions Cup round of 16 earlier this campaign.
However, while Yeimar, Obed Vargas, Jesús Ferreira, Osaze De Rosario, Nouhou and Pedro De La Vega will cherish their scoring moments, none shone as brightly as De La Vega's exquisitely struck volley, which might compete for the FIFA Puskas Award recognizing 2025's finest goal worldwide.
Simultaneously, the seven-goal difference established a new record for the most decisive victory by any MLS team against a Liga MX opponent across all competitions. It additionally represented the most commanding winning margin in any tournament for the Sounders since their MLS debut in 2009.
This outcome also elevated MLS to 10 victories in 18 encounters during the 2025 Leagues Cup, with the American top flight now outscoring their Mexican rivals 40-30 across those combined fixtures.
"We understood this would be a rematch from Concacaf. They represented a formidable opponent; they're the team that knocked us out," Ferreira explained. "We sought retribution...we entered with the mindset that we are a quality side."
Seattle's Outstanding Performance Since FIFA Club World Cup
While the Rave Green dominated La Maquina, who had defeated Vancouver Whitecaps FC 5–0 in the Concacaf Champions Cup final, this merely extended their exceptional run since participating in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Following their group stage elimination against Atlético Madrid, Botafogo and Paris Saint-Germain, the Sounders have remained unbeaten across seven MLS matches. Currently, they sit in an excellent position to progress from Phase One in the Leagues Cup.
"I genuinely didn't know what words to share with them in the dressing room because it represented such an extraordinary victory for our organization," stated Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer following the contest. "In our club's timeline, this ranks among all the significant triumphs we've achieved. While it's not a championship fixture, so I'd probably moderate that statement, it certainly represented an incredible display."
Additionally, De La Vega's sustained excellence provides encouragement, following the young Designated Player's struggles to maintain consistency since arriving at the Sounders in 2024. Recently, however, he has emerged as one of the team's standout performers and has reached seven goals plus three assists, with Thursday's strike being the latest demonstration of his talent.
"The execution, the technical skill, the delivery from Alex [Roldan]. I mean, it's exceptional," Schmetzer commented regarding the goal and Alex Roldan's assist. "That represented an incredibly technically demanding finish, and he executed it effortlessly."
Following this triumph, the Sounders can focus on their upcoming fixtures against Santos Laguna and Club Tijuana, hoping to secure qualification for the tournament's quarterfinal stage.
"[The players] are propelling us forward," Schmetzer continued. "That group is completely unified, driven. They recognize they're a talented team." Cruz Azul will undoubtedly be acutely conscious of this reality.