Cruz Azul vs. Seattle Sounders: A Historic Leagues Cup Defeat for La Máquina
On July 31, 2025, Cruz Azul faced a devastating 7-0 defeat against the Seattle Sounders in their opening match of the Leagues Cup 2025 at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. This historic loss marked a challenging start for the reigning Concacaf Champions Cup winners, who struggled to find their footing against a dominant MLS side. Below is a detailed recap of the match, key moments, and implications for both teams.
Match Overview
The Leagues Cup 2025, a tournament pitting Liga MX teams against MLS clubs, saw Cruz Azul, one of Mexico’s most storied clubs, take on the Seattle Sounders, a powerhouse in MLS with a history of success. The match, part of the group stage, was highly anticipated due to the teams’ recent encounters in the Concacaf Champions Cup earlier in 2025, where Cruz Azul had eliminated the Sounders with a 4-1 aggregate score. However, this time, the Sounders exacted revenge in spectacular fashion.
Final Score: Seattle Sounders 7-0 Cruz Azul
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
Date and Time: July 31, 2025, 7:30 PM PT (8:30 PM CDMX)
Broadcast: Available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, Apple TV+, FS1, UniMás, TUDN, and Azteca 7 in Mexico.

Key Moments and Goals
The first half ended goalless, with both teams creating chances but failing to convert. Seattle’s Cristian Roldan nearly opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a shot from the edge of the box that narrowly missed, while Cruz Azul’s Omar Campos hit the post during a counterattack. Despite early pressure from the Sounders, Cruz Azul’s defense, led by goalkeeper Kevin Mier, held firm, though Mier’s confidence appeared shaky after recent errors in Liga MX play.
The second half was a different story, as the Sounders unleashed a relentless offensive onslaught:
- 48’: Yeimar Gómez opened the scoring with a well-timed header, setting the tone for Seattle’s dominance.
- 50’: Obed Vargas doubled the lead, capitalizing on a swift attacking move to make it 2-0.
- 58’: Jesús Ferreira added the third with a clinical finish, further exposing Cruz Azul’s defensive frailties.
- 69’: Osaze De Rosario scored the fourth, redirecting a low cross from Ryan Kent after a brilliant buildup involving Vargas.
- 76’: Pedro de la Vega, who came off the bench, scored his first of two goals with a one-timed shot that rang off the post and into the net.
- 88’: Nouhou Tolo headed in the sixth goal after a free kick from Danny Leyva was saved by Mier and hit the crossbar.
- 90+1’: De la Vega sealed the 7-0 rout with a stunning first-time volley off a cross from Alex Roldan, earning him the MVP award for the match.
Cruz Azul’s defense, typically one of the strongest in Liga MX, was overwhelmed, with Mier and center back Willer Ditta struggling to contain Seattle’s attacking prowess. The Sounders’ midfield, led by Vargas and Roldan, controlled the game, while substitutes like De la Vega and De Rosario made significant impacts.
Lineups and Substitutions
Seattle Sounders Lineup: Thomas; Alex Roldan, Jackson Ragen, Nouhou Tolo, Yeimar Gómez; Obed Vargas, Cristian Roldan, Albert Rusnák; Jesús Ferreira, Ryan Kent, Daniel Musovski.
Substitutions: Pedro de la Vega, Danny Leyva, Osaze De Rosario, Kim Kee-Hee, among others.
Cruz Azul Lineup: Kevin Mier; Jorge Sánchez, Omar Campos, Willer Ditta, Chiquete Orozco; Erik Lira, Lorenzo Faravelli, Nacho Rivero, Charly Rodríguez, José Paradela; Ángel Sepúlveda.
Substitutions: Luka Romero, Mateo Levy, Jeremy Márquez, Mateusz Bogusz.
Notable moments included yellow cards for Seattle’s Musovski (32’) and De Rosario (69’), and Cruz Azul’s Ditta and Musovski receiving cautions after a confrontation around the 30-minute mark. Cruz Azul’s substitutions, including Romero and Bogusz, failed to spark a comeback, as the team appeared disjointed and unable to respond to Seattle’s intensity.

Tactical Analysis
Seattle’s game plan was clear: dominate possession (58% compared to Cruz Azul’s 42%) and exploit the wings with players like Kent and Alex Roldan. Their high pressing and quick transitions overwhelmed Cruz Azul, who struggled to maintain possession or create meaningful chances (only 2 shots on goal compared to Seattle’s 10). Coach Nicolás Larcamón’s tactics were ineffective, with the team showing signs of desperation by the 86th minute, as noted by VAVEL. The absence of key player Alexis Gutiérrez, who recently moved to Club América, may have impacted Cruz Azul’s midfield cohesion.
Seattle’s coach, Brian Schmetzer, praised his team’s performance, highlighting their motivation to overturn their earlier Concacaf Champions Cup loss to Cruz Azul. Albert Rusnák echoed this sentiment, noting that beating the reigning CCC champions would set a strong tone for the rest of the Leagues Cup and MLS season.
Implications for Cruz Azul
This 7-0 defeat is one of the most humiliating in Cruz Azul’s recent history, especially as the team entered the match as Concacaf champions and fifth in the Liga MX Apertura with a 1-0-2 record. The loss has raised questions about Larcamón’s future as coach, with some speculating about his job security. Cruz Azul now faces an uphill battle in the Leagues Cup, with their next match against LA Galaxy on August 3, 2025, critical to their hopes of advancing from the group stage. The team’s defensive lapses and inability to counter Seattle’s pace will need urgent attention.
Seattle’s Statement Victory
For the Seattle Sounders, this victory was a statement of intent. Currently fourth in the MLS Western Conference with 38 points (10-8-6), the Sounders showcased their depth and attacking prowess. Pedro de la Vega’s brace and MVP performance underscored his growing importance, while young talents like Vargas and De Rosario highlighted the team’s bright future. The Sounders’ next Leagues Cup match against Santos Laguna on August 3, 2025, will test their ability to maintain this momentum.
Fan and Media Reactions
The Mexican media, including TV Azteca and El Financiero, labeled Cruz Azul’s performance as a “humiliation” and a “sad debut” in the Leagues Cup. Fans expressed frustration over the team’s lackluster showing, particularly after their recent 4-1 Liga MX win over León. Meanwhile, Sounders fans celebrated the historic win, with Lumen Field’s atmosphere described as electric despite Cruz Azul’s struggles.
How to Watch and Follow
For those who missed the match, highlights are available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV, as well as platforms like ESPN and TUDN. Live updates and statistics can be found on Sofascore, which provides detailed metrics such as possession, shots, and player ratings.
Looking Ahead
Cruz Azul must regroup quickly to salvage their Leagues Cup campaign, with their match against LA Galaxy looming as a must-win. The Sounders, buoyed by this emphatic victory, will look to carry their form into their next fixture and beyond in the MLS season. This match will be remembered as a low point for La Máquina and a high point for the Sounders, who proved they could compete with and dominate one of North America’s top clubs.
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