Major League Soccer side Seattle Sounders stayed busy on their off-week, with a friendly test playing host to Liga MX outfit Club Necaxa in front of yet-another massive crowd at the CenturyLink Field on Saturday evening, in what was a “festive event” that ended in a 1-1 draw. Over 38,800 spectators were in attendance at the CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington.
The friendly encounter
Seattle Sounders fielded mostly reserves players in the lineup as they have several of their regulars out on international duty. Alvaro Fernandez seemed to have won it for the Sounders when he finished Harry shipp's setup in the 82nd minute, but Club Necaxa never gave up as Jesus Isijara assisted “super sub” Alejandro Diaz to finish-up a last minute equalizer for Necaxa, who are currently sitting on the fourth-from-bottom in the Mexican Liga MX table.
The reigning Major League Soccer Cup champions will return to league action on Friday, when they welcome East Conference new expansion club Atlanta United.
Sounders international friendlies all-time series at the home
Seattle Sounders improved to 4-5-2 all time in international friendlies at the C-Links Field, comprehending an unbeaten run of four consecutive matches, Sounders has never lost to a Liga MX club in an international friendly game, with a 2-2 draw with Club Tijuana in 2015 and 3-1 over Chivas Guadalajara in 2010. Including Saturday's friendly game and MLS Cup Playoff, Sounders are unbeaten at the C-Links Field in 13 home matches - With the last defeat coming on July 2016 against LA Galaxy.
In the 83rd minute, Alvaro Fernandez notched Sounders' second latest goal in friendly history - in 2010 Nyassi scored a goal in 90+ minute against CD Guadalajara.
Four Seattle Sounders players made their debuts on Saturday night: Jordy Delem, Seyi Adekola, Nouhou and Brian Nana.
The both teams Starting IX lineups
Seattle Sounders: (Goalkeeper) - Tyler Miller, (defenders) - Jordy Delem, Gustav Svensson, Tony Alfaro, Nouhou.
(midfielders) - Cristian Roldan, Zach Mathers, Henry Wingo, Harry Shipp, Alvaro Fernandez. (forward) - Will Bruin. Club Necaxa: (Goalkeeper) - Marcelo Barovero. (defenders) - Xavier Baez, Nicolas Maturana, Diego Riolfo, Jorge Sanchez. (midfielders) - Manuel Iturra, Felipe Gallegos, Maximilliano Barreiro, Jonas Aguirre. (forward) - Mario De Luna and Diego Hernandez