The calendar changes, but Freddy Monteiro's knack for scoring hasn't waned.
Monteiro, a Sounders FC native, helped Club Lyon defeat 3-0 in the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday night. Sounders forward Jordan Morris scored the final goal in the 90th minute.
"It was really a team effort," Morris said. “We were all on the same page defending and it made it really hard for us to break through. They are a good team and it was a big goal for us to restrict them to a ton of chances. We transitioned really well and obviously, there's a guy like Freddy in the box - we're really lucky. ,
The second of the two-legged series is on March 17 at Estadio León in the central Mexico state of Guanajuato. Seattle's three-goal lead is substantial in overall scoring, but it doesn't guarantee they will advance.
"I already warned them that we are not the favourites," said Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer. "We should look at the game that way because the first 30 minutes, I know, they will bring us everything they have."
Much of the 29,196 crowd at Lumen Field gave Monteiro a standing ovation when he fell down in the 82nd minute. The 34-year-old Monteiro is Rev Green's all-time scoring leader in all competitions with 70. Colombians have eight in CONCACAF competitions.
"In games like these, you have to bring all your experience, all your talent and all your energy to win," Monteiro said. "I'm really proud of (my teammates), we did a really good job."
Sounders midfielder Christian Roldan suffered a hard foul from Angel Mena in the box to set up Monteiro's first score from a penalty kick. Leon crowds out referee Brian Lopez in protest, but broadcast replays showed a clear violation.
Lyon continued to block the final penalty. Monteiro was shocked as he stood with his hands on his hips, waiting to take his shot. Leon keeper Rodolfo Cota guessed incorrectly, with Monteiro scoring the first goal of the game in the 31st minute.
Sounders defender Alex Roldan and Cristian made a slight deal on the right wing to put Cristian in position to send a cross to Montero for the second goal. The latter fired a right-footed shot in front of Kota in the 39th minute to give Seattle a 2-0 lead.
Mena had Lyon's only on-frame shot attempt in the first half. In the 36th minute, Ecuador's shot was saved by Sounders keeper Stephen Frey.
Lyon's coach Ariel Hollan made three substitutions at halftime in an effort to improve the offensive. The visitors had a chance in the 57th minute and a free kick in the 74th minute which Frey saved.
Holan's team had 69.3 percent of the game but the coach felt they lacked patience. Lyon was leading 14-3, with Frey picking up his third straight CCL shutout.
"It was a very difficult match for us which gives us many lessons," said Holan as he translated from Spanish. “At home we will play a different game. We have to explore alternatives; We can't lose patience again."
Morris had several chances he couldn't believe he didn't go in before attempting a right footed in one of Christian's feeds. Kota had six defenses in the match.
"Before that I had a few chances that I wanted to eliminate," Morris said. "I told Christian to just give me one more chance and I'll bury it. He bowled a great ball in the box and I'm grateful for that."
Tuesday's game was a rematch of the League's Cup title match at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Cristian was instrumental in nearly defeating Lyon in the single-elimination tournament, which pits Liga MX against MLS clubs.
Roldan scored in the 48th minute after losing 3-2.
The sides faced each other ahead of Tuesday's kickoff after 26 people were injured during a brawl in the stands of the Queretaro-Atlas match last weekend. Lyon's Liga MX has faced criticism.
Mexican Football Federation president Yon de Luisa and Liga MX president Mikel Arriola announced the punishment on Tuesday. In addition to a monetary fine for the Queretaro owners, the club has been banned from fans in home matches for one year, while one of the supporters' group was handed a three-year ban.
There was an anticipated lineup change for Tuesday's match. But the players who were called up were not the desired MLS Best XI pairing of Raul Ruidiaz (hamstrings) and Nico Lodeiro (Adtor Strain). Veteran forward Will Bruin is also out with a calf injury.
Seattle hosts the Los Angeles Galaxy at Lumens on Saturday. It is uncertain whether the players will be available for selection.
Lyon made two lineup changes from his match on Friday.
"It's a win," said Schmetzer, whose team had lost their last two MLS matches. "He was determined to put on a good show. We got quality from Freddy. He's been doing a consistently good job for this club."