Carlos Pineda scored a stunning 86th-minute equalizer and CD Olimpia sent the Seattle Sounders crashing out of the Concacaf Champions League in the round of 16, taking their two-leg tie on penalties after a 2-2 tie on Thursday night and a 4-4 tie on aggregate.
The win advances Olimpia to face the Montreal Impact in the quarterfinals, and sends the Sounders out of the tournament a round earlier than their most recent previous appearance in 2018.
Cristian Roldan and Joao Paulo each had a goal and set up the other, as the Sounders overcame an early 1-0 deficit to take a 2-1 lead midway through the second half. That edge looked comfortable until Pineda scored on a sizzling, skidding strike from well outside the penalty area.
Roldan and Kelvin Leerdam then both failed to convert from the penalty spot, and Johnny Leveron was the fourth and final Olimpia player to make his spot kick, giving the visiting Honduran club their first-ever win in a CCL knockout-round series.
Elvin Oliva opened the scoring in the 4th minute for the visitors, giving them the only lead they would hold all series. They would hold it for only 17 minutes before Roldan's equalizer.
Goals
- 4' - OLI - Elvin Oliva | WATCH
- 21' - SEA - Cristian Roldan | WATCH
- 64 - SEA - Joao Paulo | WATCH
- 86 - OLI - Carlos Pineda | WATCH
Penalties
- SEA: Raul Ruidiaz (goal), Joao Paulo (goal), Cristian Roldan (missed high), Kelvin Leerdam (saved)
- OLI: Yustin Arboleda (goal), Jorge Benguche (goal), Edwin Rodriguez (goal), Johnny Leveron (goal)
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: The stunning nature of Olimpia's triumph only told part of the story. Oliva and Pineda entered Thursday night with a grand total of three professional goals between them over their entire careers, according to soccerway.com.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: In terms of the flow of the match, Pineda's equalizer came as if from nowhere. It probably felt that way to Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei as well, who appeared to be screened by traffic in his six-yard box on the shot.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Elvin Oliva. His early offensive contribution proved crucial, but along with center back partner Johnny Leveron he was equally as effective in keeping Raul Ruidiaz largely at bay. The Peruvian forward had five shots, but failed to hit the target.
Up Next
- SEA: Sunday, March 1 vs Chicago Fire FC (3 pm ET | ESPN, TSN5, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
