Raúl Ruidíaz's first-half goal on Wednesday helped the Seattle Sounders eliminate New York City FC and advance to the final of the CONCACAF Champions League.
The teams played to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday in Harrison, N.J., allowing Seattle to finish with a 4-2 win on aggregate in the two-game, total-goal semifinal series.
Highlights @SoundersFC solidify their spot in the #SCCL22 Final with the great performance of the Sounders FC goalkeeper! pic.twitter.com/sIHderXSDr
— Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (@TheChampions) April 14, 2022
The Sounders will face Pumas UNAM in the two-legged final, with the first leg to be played in Mexico City in late April and the return leg to be played in early May in Seattle. Pumas will attempt to become the 17th straight Mexican club to claim the confederation championship. The last U.S. team to capture the championship was the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2000.
Ruidíaz scored on a 12-yard, right-footed shot off a cross from Nouhou Tolo in the 28th minute.
With a great finish, @RaulRuidiazM scored the first goal of the night for @SoundersFC! #SCCL22 pic.twitter.com/JX5ybiuhk3
— Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (@TheChampions) April 14, 2022
NYCFC pulled level on the night with a 51st-minute goal from Santiago Rodríguez off a pass from Thiago Andrade, who dribbled to the end line and cut the ball back near the top of the penalty area.
@NYCFC did not stop trying and scored from the feet of Santiago Rodríguez! #SCCL22 pic.twitter.com/EgBerCLw6G
— Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (@TheChampions) April 14, 2022