Honestly, if you missed the Seattle Sounders vs Club Puebla match in the 2025 Leagues Cup quarterfinals, you missed one of those weird, stressful nights that only soccer can provide. It wasn’t a "beautiful game" in the traditional sense. There weren't any 30-yard screamers or tiki-taka masterclasses.
It was a grind.
Seattle came into Lumen Field as heavy favorites, especially after basically liquefying Cruz Azul 7-0 earlier in the tournament. Puebla, meanwhile, was the classic underdog, playing the role of the stubborn guest who refuses to leave the party. By the time the final whistle blew, we had a red card, a scoreless draw, and a penalty shootout that turned Andrew Thomas into a local folk hero.
The Match That Refused to Have Goals
You’ve probably seen the stats by now. Seattle had something like 80% of the ball. That is a staggering amount of possession for a high-stakes quarterfinal. Brian Schmetzer’s squad was essentially camping in Puebla’s half of the field.
But possession doesn't pay the bills.
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Puebla, coached by Martín Bravo, set up in a thick 5-3-2 block that was incredibly frustrating to watch if you were wearing Rave Green. They weren't interested in the ball; they were interested in the space. Every time Pedro de la Vega or Paul Rothrock tried to find a gap, there was a blue-and-white shirt there to muck it up.
Key Moments You Might've Forgotten
- The 15th Minute Chance: Paul Rothrock almost broke the deadlock early after some slick play with de la Vega. He tried to cut it back, but Julio González—who was stellar for Puebla—smothered it.
- The Alex Roldan Rocket: Around the hour mark, Alex Roldan unleashed a shot from 25 yards that had González rooted to the spot. It cleared the bar by inches.
- The Musovski Melt: This was the turning point. In the 76th minute, Danny Musovski got tangled up, earned a yellow, and then basically lost his cool. He bumped the referee, Juan Gabriel Calderon, and saw red immediately.
Suddenly, the "dominant" Sounders were down to ten men.
Why the Red Card Changed Everything
Most teams would crumble after going down a man with 15 minutes left in a quarterfinal. Seattle didn't exactly crumble, but they definitely had to stop the "all-out attack" vibe. Puebla tried to capitalize, but honestly, they didn't have the offensive firepower to really punish the Sounders.
The match ended 0-0. In Leagues Cup, there’s no extra time in the knockouts—it goes straight to the spot.
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The Shootout: Andrew Thomas Calling His Shot
Penalty shootouts are usually about luck. This one felt like it was about Andrew Thomas’s ego, in the best way possible.
It started poorly for Seattle. Cristian Roldan, the captain, stepped up first and rattled the post. Usually, that’s the kiss of death. But Thomas immediately bailed him out by saving Ricardo Marín’s attempt.
The next few rounds were clinical:
- Alex Roldan: Scored (1-1)
- Jackson Ragen: Scored (2-2)
- Jesús Ferreira: Scored (3-3)
- Obed Vargas: Scored (4-3)
Then came the final act. Nicolás Díaz stepped up for Puebla. Andrew Thomas was reportedly "calling his shot," smirking at the shooter. He dove left, stuffed the shot with one hand, and that was it. Seattle was through to the semifinals.
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Historical Context and Head-to-Head
Before this match, Seattle Sounders vs Club Puebla wasn't really a "thing." This was their first-ever competitive meeting. Seattle has a long, storied history with Liga MX teams—think back to that 2022 Champions League final against Pumas—but Puebla was a fresh face.
With this win, Seattle moved their all-time record against Mexican opposition to 12-12-6. It’s perfectly balanced, which is kind of poetic for a team that always seems to be at the center of the MLS vs. Liga MX rivalry.
Why Puebla Was So Tough
Puebla entered this tournament as a "Cinderella" story. They hadn't won a Leagues Cup game in regulation before 2025. They were playing with house money, and it showed in their discipline. They conceded 18 goals in their previous eight games leading up to this, yet somehow kept a clean sheet against a Seattle team that had scored 11 goals in the group stage.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're looking at this matchup for future reference, or just trying to understand how Seattle manages these cross-border tournaments, here are the real takeaways.
- Don't Overvalue Possession: Seattle’s 80% possession meant nothing because they lacked a clinical edge in the final third. Against a low block, the Sounders often struggle without a target man like a fully fit Jordan Morris or Raúl Ruidíaz (who were missing from the start in this one).
- The Andrew Thomas Era: This match effectively solidified Thomas as the successor to Stefan Frei. His shot-stopping is one thing, but his psychological game in shootouts is elite.
- Discipline is the Achille's Heel: The Musovski red card was "self-induced." In high-pressure CONCACAF-style matches, North American teams often lose their cool when the refereeing gets inconsistent.
The road didn't get easier for Seattle after this, as they had to travel to face LA Galaxy in the semis. But for one night at Lumen Field, the Sounders showed that even when the goals don't come, they have the grit (and the keeper) to survive.
To truly understand the tactical shift, watch the 70th-minute mark of the replay. You’ll see Seattle transition from a 4-2-3-1 to a desperate 4-4-1 after the ejection, a masterclass in defensive recovery that often gets overshadowed by the flashy saves at the end.