2025 Leagues One Cup Match Preview: Seattle Sounders FC vs. Club Puebla

Team Form & Storylines

Seattle Sounders FC

Phase One Record: 3W–0L–0D (9 points, +9 GD)

Recent Results:

7–0 vs. Cruz Azul

2–1 vs. Santos Laguna

2–1 vs. Club Tijuana

Seattle enters as the only team with a perfect Phase One record, including a historic 7–0 demolition of Cruz Azul—the largest MLS win over a Liga MX side ever. Despite injuries to key veterans like Albert Rusnák and Jordan Morris, the Sounders have leaned on emerging stars like Pedro de la Vega, who scored a stunning brace against Cruz Azul. Their depth and form make them a top contender for the title.

Club Puebla

Phase One Record: 2W–1L–0D (6 points, +2 GD)

Recent Results:

3–0 vs. NYCFC

1–3 vs. Columbus Crew

2–1 vs. CF Montréal

Puebla is the Cinderella story of the tournament. After finishing 17th in the Liga MX Clausura, few expected them to survive the group stage. But behind Emiliano Gómez (2 goals, 1 assist) and Ricardo Marín, they’ve stunned two MLS sides and now face their toughest test yet. Their defense has been shaky, conceding 13 goals in their last five matches.

Head-to-Head History

First-Ever Meeting between Seattle and Puebla

Key Matchups

Player	Team	Role/Impact
Pedro de la Vega	Seattle	Dynamic winger, 2 goals vs Cruz Azul
Emiliano Gómez	Puebla	Leading scorer, 2g/1a in LC play
Osaze De Rosario	Seattle	Late-game hero vs Tijuana
Ricardo Marín	Puebla	Secondary scoring option
Stefan Frei	Seattle	Veteran GK, key to controlling tempo

Tactical Overview

Seattle: High-possession, aggressive wing play, deep midfield rotation

Puebla: Counter-attacking, reliant on individual brilliance, vulnerable in transition

X-Factor: Seattle’s home-field advantage at Lumen Field, where they’ve won 4 of their last 5 matches