CCL: Sounders FC defeat 'Caps 3-0 to clinch top spot in Group F

SEATTLE, WA – The “Group of Death” has claimed its casualties.  

Vancouver Whitecaps FC (CCL: 1W-1L-1D) will not advance to the knockout round of their first-ever CONCACAF Champions League campaign after falling 3-0 to Seattle Sounders FC (CCL: 2W-1L-1D) on Wednesday night at CenturyLink Field.

The ‘Caps still have one more group stage match remaining on October 22 at Honduran side C.D. Olimpia. But it will be Seattle that goes through – regardless of the result in that game.

Seattle booked their quarter-final berth on Wednesday on the strength of a Lamar Neagle brace. Designated Player Nelson Valdez also had a big night, scoring a goal and adding two assists.

The Sounders conclude the group stage with seven points and a 2W-1L-1D record.

Though Whitecaps FC could still reach seven points with a win in Honduras, Seattle holds the tiebreaker (head-to-head) as a result of Wednesday’s result.

As was the case in last week’s Champions League win over C.D. Olimpia, Carl Robinson once again fielded a young group on Wednesday – not a big surprise considering the 'Caps are in a race for the top spot in MLS. Robinson made 10 changes from the weekend and trotted out a starting lineup with an average age of just over 24 years old.  

The young ‘Caps held their own early – thanks in large part to the tireless defensive work of midfielder Matias Laba, who made his second straight CCL start.

But Seattle’s experience began to take over.

The Sounders, who had just one player under the age of 27 in their starting lineup, scored twice within the span of seven minutes just after the half-hour mark.

First, Neagle tapped in a low cross from Chad Barrett in the 32nd minute. And then Valdez headed in a Marco Pappa free kick in the 39th.

Neagle added his second of the night two minutes into the second half. And although the ‘Caps got a late spark from substitute Kekuta Manneh, the result was never in question from there.

Whitecaps FC return to MLS action on Saturday against star-studded expansion side New York City FC (7 p.m. PT at BC Place – TSN and TSN 1410).

The ‘Caps are currently tied for the top spot in MLS.

INJURY REPORT

Right back Steven Beitashour (left knee sprain), midfielder Pedro Morales (right hamstring strain) and striker Darren Mattocks (hip contusion) were all sidelined on Wednesday due to injury. 

CCL GROUP F STANDINGS

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MATCH DETAILS

Referee: Fernando Guerrero
Attendance: 37,624
Man of the Match: Tim Parker

Scoring Summary
32’ – SEA – Lamar Neagle (Chad Barrett, Nelson Valdez)
39’ – SEA – Nelson Valdez (Marco Pappa)
47’ – SEA – Lamar Neagle (Chad Barrett, Nelson Valdez)

Stats
Shots: Seattle 7 – Vancouver 6
Shots on Goal: Seattle 5 – Vancouver 2
Fouls: Seattle 11 – Vancouver 14
Offsides: Seattle 1 – Vancouver 2
Corners: Seattle 4 – Vancouver 1

Cautions
None

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
70.Paolo Tornaghi; 26.Tim Parker, 44.Pa-Modou Kah ©, 18.Diego Rodríguez, 22.Christian Dean; 20.Deybi Flores, 15.Matías Laba (31.Russell Teibert 64’); 38.Kianz Froese, 9.Nicolás Mezquida (23.Kekuta Manneh 55’), 3.Sam Adekugbe (32.Marco Bustos 77’); 88.Robert Earnshaw

Substitutes not used
1.David Ousted, 7.Mauro Rosales, 13.Cristian Techera, 28.Gershon Koffie

Seattle Sounders FC
24.Stefan Frei; 4.Tyrone Mears, 3.Brad Evans, 14.Chad Marshall, 12.Leonardo Gonzalez; 10.Marco Pappa, 28.Erik Friberg (42.Michael Azira 64’), 7.Cristian Roldan, 27.Lamar Neagle; 16.Nelson Valdez (11.Aaron Kovar 74'), 19.Chad Barrett (91.Oniel Fisher 78’)

Substitutes not used
1.Troy Perkins, 8.Gonzalo Pineda, 9.Obafemi Martins, 20.Zach Scott