Seattle Sounders x Pumas Unam

The Seattle Sounders delivered a dominant performance, defeating Liga MX’s Pumas UNAM 4-0 on Monday night at Lumen Field, advancing to the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup. Paul Rothrock's first-half header set the tone, with a second-half barrage led by Albert Rusnák and Jordan Morris, who added a brace, sealing the victory for the Sounders.

Seattle weathered an early storm from Pumas, who had a few ambitious attempts and a golden opportunity in the 17th minute that was squandered when Guillermo Martínez fired over the bar from close range. Pumas briefly thought they had equalized in the 26th minute, but the goal was disallowed after Piero Quispe was ruled offside following a VAR check. The Sounders made the most of their chances, with Rothrock opening the scoring in the 32nd minute by heading in a Rusnák cross off the far post.

The second half saw Seattle take complete control, as Morris doubled the lead with a clinical finish after chesting down a flicked header from Rusnák. Rusnák then converted a penalty in the 71st minute after Obed Vargas was fouled in the box. Pumas’ frustrations culminated in stoppage time when Lisandro Magallán brought down Morris on a breakaway, earning a second yellow card and a dismissal. Morris calmly slotted home the ensuing penalty to cap off the 4-0 rout and ensure Seattle’s passage into the next round.

[Photography by Alejandro Sanchez Ochoa and Erick Ramirez]