February 4, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Seattle Sounders FC News Release
Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro vs. Al Ahly SC at the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco
(Seattle Sounders FC)
TANGIER, MOROCCO – Sounders FC fell 1-0 to Egyptian side Al Ahly SC on Saturday evening in the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup. As the first American side to appear in the intercontinental club championship, the Rave Green bow out after Al Ahly found the winner 88th minute courtesy of Mohamad Afsha. Al Ahly now advances to face reigning European champion Real Madrid on Wednesday, February 8 in the Moroccan capital of Rabat, with the winner moving on to the FIFA Club World Cup Final on February 11.
Al Ahly got the game-winning goal in the dying minutes of the second half. A rebounded shot off the crossbar was taken from outside the area by Al Ahly’s Afsha, which deflected off Seattle’s Alex Roldan and found its way into the back of the net for the late 1-0 lead.
Midfielder João Paulo made his return from injury for the Rave Green in the 68th minute of play after suffering a torn right ACL on May 4 of last season in Seattle’s continental championship-clinching win over Liga MX’s Pumas.
Following Seattle’s run at the FIFA Club World Cup, the club begins its 2023 MLS regular-season campaign against the Colorado Rapids on Sunday, February 26 at 5:00 p.m. PT on the Emerald Queen Casino Pitch at Lumen Field.
MATCH NOTES
Today’s match marked the first official contest of Seattle’s 2023 campaign, with the club competing in the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time in team history. Sounders FC qualified for the intercontinental club championship by becoming the first MLS team to win the Concacaf Champions League, a feat the Rave Green accomplished with a 5-2 aggregate win over Liga MX side Pumas in last spring’s CCL Final.
Following the loss, Al Ahly advances to face reigning European champion Real Madrid on Wednesday, February 8 in the Moroccan capital of Rabat. No team has won a greater number of FIFA Club World Cup titles than Real Madrid, with four (2014, 2016-2018). The winner of Wednesday’s contest moves on to the FIFA Club World Cup Final on February 11.
Saturday’s match marked Seattle’s first-ever game against African opposition, with Al Ahly playing in its eighth FIFA Club World Cup. A perennial standout in the Confederation of African Football Champions League, the Egyptian club owns 42 domestic league titles and 10 continental…
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