photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
The first team to book its spot in the knockout round of the CONCACAF Champions League did so on Wednesday night in wild fashion.
That team was the Seattle Sounders.
The Sounders became the first team to clinch a first-place finish in the group stage, as they went into Honduras and defeated Maraton, 3-2, courtesy of a late strike from Brad Evans.
Seattle, now on nine points through three games in Group 4, took two seperate leads in the game but Marathon was able to pull level each time. There was no response, however, to Evans' tally in the 78th minute off a pass from fellow substitute Osvaldo Alonso that secured the Sounders' advancement in the competition.
The Los Angeles Galaxy also took to the road with a chance to clinch their spot in the next round, but they were forced to settle for a scoreless draw with the Puerto Rico Islanders. The Galaxy fielded a reserve lineup and they needed goalkeeper Brian Perk to come up with three big saves in order to prevent a loss that could have made things trickier for them in Group 5.
The result eliminated the Islanders and leaves Los Angeles poised to advance after going 2-0-1 in their first three matches. The Galaxy close out group play with a match against Isidro Metapan on October 25, but they could be qualified for the next round by then if the Salvadorian club fails to beat the Islanders next week.
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What do you think of the Sounders' 3-2 win over Honduras? Surprised the Galaxy reserves could not beat Puerto Rico? Which of these two MLS clubs do you think has a better shot at making a run in this competition?
Share your thoughts below.