Say what you will about the relative value of Leagues Cup, but the Seattle Sounders are playing for a spot in a cup final when they host Santos Laguna tonight. The winner of tonight’s game will face the winner of Leon-Pumas UNAM in Las Vegas on Sept. 22 and players of the eventual champion will share a pot that’s likely more than $1 million.
All of which is to say that all indications are that whatever detractors may say, the teams and players seem to be plenty motivated to perform well.
The Sounders come into this game coming off their first home win since their last Leagues Cup game, a resounding 3-0 victory over Mexican giants Tigres UANL.