Sounders FC is getting a taste of international soccer this week, facing opponents and issues stretching from the west coast of Mexico to the east coast of Africa.
Tonight, the Sounders continue group play in CONCACAF Champions League, taking on Monterrey of Mexico at Qwest Field.
The club also is reported to be on the verge of bringing in an even more popular Mexican club to Qwest for a fall friendly, and it is even considering the purchase of a soccer team from Tanzania.
For now, the only certainty is the match against Monterrey. It is the second match of the six-game Champions League group stage.
So far, home teams have held serve in Group C, with Monterrey beating Saprissa of Costa Rica, 1-0; and Marathon of Honduras edging Seattle, 2-1. That puts added pressure on the Sounders to earn three points tonight against the team that generally is considered to be the class of the group.
“(The U.S.-Mexico angle is something) the fans look at maybe more so sometimes than we look at it, but it’s certainly a benchmark in that regard from the fan perspective,” coach Sigi Schmid said Tuesday. “For us, it’s all about getting to the next round and winning our home games – whether it’s Monterrey, Saprissa or Marathon.”
Sounders rookie David Estrada has a dual perspective on the game as both a player and a longtime fan of Mexican soccer, which he followed while growing up in Southern California.
“(Monterrey has) a very good following back in Mexico,” he said. “They’re one of the top clubs. … They’re the toughest team in this group, I think. (It would be meaningful to play) any Mexican team, just because I’d get to play against some of the guys I grew up watching. … Monterrey is definitely a team it would be an honor to play against.”
Monterrey is a popular club, but Estrada recognizes that Mexico has more popular teams. Club America and Chivas de Guadalajara are the nation’s equivalent to Manchester United or the New York Yankees.
Chivas announced on its website this week that it will visit Seattle for a friendly on Oct. 12.
Although he did not confirm the report, Sounders general manager Adrian Hanauer said he would view Chivas as an appealing opponent.
“Huge soccer brand, finalist in Copa Libertadores,” he said. “It’s a team that we’ve been trying to bring to Seattle for probably five years – back to the USL days – and just have not been able to for whatever reason. If in fact it does get announced that we are bringing Chivas to Seattle, I would be very excited about that.”
Hanauer said he wants to increase Sounders awareness with all fans – including the Mexican-American community. However, he said that will take more than bringing in Mexican clubs or even signing Mexican players.
“When the Sounders and the Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake and the Galaxy beat Chivas and Cruz Azul and Pumas and Monterrey on a regular basis, I do think there’s going to be a shift,” he said.
Fans of the Mexican national team often outnumber fans of the U.S. national team, even in games played in the United States. And Sounders players and front office staff members said they will be interested to see if the crowd tonight differs from a typical Qwest Field soccer crowd.
However, no one seems to think that Sounders fans will be the minority.
“I just don’t see that possible,” goalkeeper Kasey Keller said. “If Barcelona can’t do it and Chelsea can’t do it, then I don’t see Monterrey doing it.”
Also, Hanauer confirmed reports that the Sounders are investigating forming a relationship with African Lyon of Tanzania – including a possible purchase of the club. Hanauer said he has long been interested in that part of the continent as a possible pipeline for bringing talent to the U.S.
“It’s relatively insignificant from an investment standpoint,” he said. “And it’s not likely to pay massively valuable dividends. … It’s a small investment to potentially create that pipeline. But just like with our academy system, (fans) shouldn’t expect immediate or highly impactful returns in the short term.”
blog.thenewstribune.com/soccer
Sounders gameday
MONTERREY (MEXICO) AT SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
Kickoff: 7 p.m., Qwest Field
TV: Fox Soccer Channel
RADIO: 97.3 FM
ABOUT THIS COMPETITION: The CONCACAF Champions League is a tournament involving top clubs from North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Seattle qualified by winning the 2009 U.S. Open Cup. The Sounders opened group play with a 2-1 loss at Marathon (Honduras). Monterrey opened with a 1-0 home win over Saprissa (Costa Rica). Group play consists of six games; each team in the group plays the other three teams home and away. The top two finishers in each group will advance to the knockout rounds.
ABOUT MONTERREY: The club was founded in Monterrey, Mexico, in 1945. Its full name is Club de Futbol Monterrey. It qualified by winning the Mexican Apertura. The club has won three Mexican league championships, the 1991 Copa Mexico and the 1993 CONCACAF Cup Winners Cup. This is its first Champions League appearance. The club manager is Victor Manuel Vucetich. Top players include midfielder Luis Perez, defender Duilio Davino and strikers Humberto Suazo and Jesus Arellano.
NOTES: Seattle’s loss at Marathon ended the Sounders’ nine-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. … Brad Evans, Pat Noonan and Peter Vagenas are out because of injuries, and Tyrone Marshall is unavailable because of yellow-card accumulation. Patrick Ianni should be available after suffering a stomach illness earlier this week. However, the status of Steve Zakuani (pelvic strain) is uncertain. … As of Tuesday, more than 18,000 tickets had been sold.
NEXT: Seattle returns to MLS play at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, meeting the Chicago Fire at Qwest Field. The Sounders’ next Champions League match is Sept. 14 at Saprissa.
Don Ruiz, staff writer
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.