On paper, the Seattle Sounders dodged a bullet in the Round of 16 CONCACAF Champions League draw. Squaring off against El Salvador’s Santa Tecla, Seattle avoided both traditionally strong Costa Rica clubs in Herediano and Saprissa, as well as Honduras’ Olimpia.
But that doesn’t mean the Sounders are approaching their return to CCL looking past their first-round opponent, the winners of the Salvadoran league comprised of players hungry to make a mark in the region.
“You can’t overlook them at all because they want to show that they can compete with MLS and Mexico and the bigger leagues in North America,” said forward Will Bruin.