Sounders Advance to Leagues Cup Final on Stoppage Time Winner

Seattle Sounders FC 1-0 Santos Laguna

SEATTLE, WA–A Raul Ruidiaz goal three minutes into stoppage time gave Seattle Sounders FC a 1-0 win and they advance to Leagues Cup Final in Las Vegas on September 22nd against either UNAM Pumas or Club Leon who play their semifinal on Wednesday in Houston. The Sounders remain unbeaten all-time against Liga MX sides at Lumen Field at 3-0-1 and it’s their sixth overall win over Liga MX sides.

Leo Chu, making his debut for the Sounders, slotted the ball to Ruidiaz who got by two defenders and slotted the ball past Santos keeper Gibran Lahud for the match winner when it appeared the match was heading for penalties.

The closest Santos came to a goal was in the 65th minute when Diego Valdes struck one off the post. Santos had 13 shots on the night, but just two on target. They also had 56% possession on the night.

The Sounders will look to become the fourth team in MLS history (DC United, LA Galaxy, Atlanta United) to win a continental trophy a week from Wednesday in Las Vegas.

Photo: Melissa Levin

Before that though, the Sounders return to league action to take Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium. Kickoff is at 6:30pm PT.

We have a pair of galleries to link to. First, it’s Melissa Levin who was at one end of the pitch. And then, we have Paul Kahl at the other end. We also have samples below from both of our intrepid photographers below:

Melissa Levin: