Despite being heavy favorites and dominating the ball with a remarkable 71-29 possession advantage, Seattle struggled to break through Puebla’s disciplined defense. Over the course of regulation, the Sounders outshot Puebla 12-5, but managed only a single effort on target—a header by Jackson Ragen in the 56th minute, easily handled by Puebla goalkeeper Julio González. Puebla, meanwhile, registered only two shots on frame, with their best chance coming from Fernando Monárrez in the first half.
The match’s turning point arrived in the 76th minute when Seattle’s forward Danny Musovski was sent off. Musovski, who has been in career-best form with 12 goals in all competitions, received a red card for dissent after a heated exchange with referee Juan Gabriel Calderón. This left the Sounders to navigate the final 20 minutes of regulation and stoppage time shorthanded. Still, Puebla—who had recently changed coaches, appointing Martín Bravo on an interim basis—remained content to absorb pressure and push the contest to penalties.
The shootout began with a miss from Cristian Roldan, but goalkeeper Andrew Thomas quickly responded, saving Ricardo Marín’s effort to keep the score level. Successful conversions followed from Alex Roldan, Jackson Ragen, Jesús Ferreira, and Obed Vargas for Seattle, while Puebla answered through Esteban Lozano, Owen González, and Fernando Monárrez. The decisive moment came when Thomas, with composure and a bit of showmanship, denied Nicolás Díaz to seal a 4-3 victory for the Sounders.
Seattle’s performance was all the more impressive given the absence of key players such as Albert Rusnák, Jordan Morris, and Ryan Kent due to injury. Coach Brian Schmetzer fielded a strong lineup, emphasizing before the match that Puebla, despite their struggles in Liga MX and recent coaching upheaval, could not be underestimated. “We must play up to our potential because they’re a dangerous team,” Schmetzer remarked prior to kickoff, a sentiment echoed by Musovski in pre-match interviews.
Historically, the Leagues Cup has provided a platform for MLS and Liga MX clubs to test themselves against international competition. This year, all four semifinalists hail from MLS, with Seattle set to face LA Galaxy and Orlando City meeting Inter Miami, following a series of dramatic quarterfinals. The Sounders, who had previously topped their group with an unbeaten record and an impressive +9 goal differential, now turn their attention to the semifinals, aiming to continue their strong run despite the looming suspension of Musovski.
For additional match highlights and analysis, visit the official ESPN match report or follow the conversation on the Leagues Cup Twitter account. Seattle’s next challenge comes against LA Galaxy, while Puebla will look to regroup domestically after their valiant cup run.