CONCACAF Champions League wrap: Seattle seal semis spot

13 March 2013 05:29

The Seattle Sounders pulled off a remarkable comeback in their CONCACAF Champions League tie to beat Tigres UANL 3-2 on aggregate.

Heading into their home tie down 1-0, the MLS side then conceded first at CenturyLink Field before scoring the minimum three goals to reach the semi-finals of the continental tournament for the first time.

Second-half goals from DeAndre Yedlin, Djimi Traore and Eddie Johnson saw Seattle to the brilliant victory - 3-1 on the night - although they had the benefit of playing against 10 men for the second half.

Tigres midfielder Manuel Viniegra was dismissed on the stroke of half-time when he picked up his second yellow card within the space of eight minutes, and while Ricardo Ferretti's men had two goals up their sleeve, they were unable to hold on.

The aggregate result marked the first time an MLS side had beaten a Mexican club over two legs in 11 years.

And it will be either another Mexican club Santos Laguna or MLS side Houston Dynamo awaiting Seattle in the semi-finals, with the aforementioned clubs to do battle in their second leg on Wednesday.

In the day's other quarter-final, Monterrey ensured some joy for the Mexican sides as they saw off Guatemala's Xelaju 4-2 on aggregate.

After winning the first leg 3-1 away from home, Monterrey had enough of a buffer to hold on despite Xelaju scoring first at the Estadio Tecnologico.

Fredy Santiago gave the visitors hope on 44 minutes, taking them to the break 3-2 down on aggregate but still requiring two more goals for overall victory.

But second-half substitute Walter Ayovi, who came into the game almost immediately after the interval, fired the sealer for Monterrey on 63 minutes, to ensure a 1-1 draw on the night.

The Mexicans will take on either MLS champions LA Galaxy or Costa Rican side Herediano in the final four, with their second leg to get underway in Los Angeles on Wednesday.