Arriola, de la Vega, Rusnák aid Sounders FC first leg win at Antigua | OneFootball

ANTIGUA GUATEMALA, Guatemala –  Seattle Sounders FC earned a 3-1 win against Antigua GFC in the first leg of their Round One series as the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup continued Wednesday at Estadio Pensativo in Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala.

Paul Arriola placed the visitors in front in the 3' with a strike from the penalty arc, assisted by Jesús Ferreira.

Arriola’s goal at 2 minutes, 36 seconds was the fastest scored by the Sounders in the Concacaf Champions Cup since at least 2016 and the fastest for any MLS team since Josef Martínez scored in 48 seconds for Atlanta United against Herediano in 2019.

Óscar Santis equalized for the hosts in the 24', striking in the box with a composed right-footed hit to connect on a cross from Romário da Silva.

Pedro de la Vega retook the lead for Seattle in the 61', taking a chance from midfield that took a deflection on the back of Antigua captain José Ardón.

Both Paul Arriola and Pedro de la Vega’s goals for Seattle tonight came from outside the box. Before tonight, the Sounders hadn’t scored a goal from outside the box in the Concacaf Champions Cup since a Nicolás Lodeiro strike against Santa Tecla in February 2018.

Santis tried from the left corner of the box in the 70’ but was just wide as Stefan Frei dove in attempt of a save.

The U.S. side added to its tally in the 90'+5 as Albert Rusnák put the finishing touch on a build-up aided by Georgi Minoungou and Obed Vargas.

With this result, Seattle Sounders extend their unbeaten streak in the Concacaf Champions Cup to 11 games (W5, D6), the longest by any MLS club in the history of the competition.

Seattle Sounders had 58% possession against Antigua, the highest for the club in a Concacaf Champions Cup match since they registered 64% in 2020 against Olimpia de Tegucigalpa.

Óscar Santis ended the night as Antigua’s leader in shots (4), dribbles attempted (4), and recoveries (5, alongside four teammates) in this match.

The second leg of this series will be played next Wednesday at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, USA, with the winner on aggregate advancing to the Round of 16.