Santos Laguna advanced to the final of the CONCACAF Champions League for a second straight season after drawing 1-1 with the Seattle Sounders on Tuesday night.
Colombian Carlos Darwin Quintero scored from a free-kick after 20 minutes, but Lamar Neagle tied it in the 72nd minute for the MLS team.
Neagle’s goal added a touch of drama to the final minutes, but the Mexicans were able to endure for a 3-2 aggregate win in the two-leg tie. Seattle lost 2-1 at home in the first leg.
Photo: AFP
Last year, Santos lost in the final to Mexican rivals Monterrey, who were to face the Los Angeles Galaxy last night.
Seattle, who last season were eliminated in the quarter-finals, lost a chance to qualify for the CONCACAF final for the first time.
After the first goal, Santos had several opportunities to widen the gap.
In the 28th minute, Oribe Peralta sent a shot high and in the 44th he hit the post.
In the second half, Seattle had a good chance early on with a shot by Cuban Osvaldo Alonso, but Oswaldo Sanchez made a great save.
Neagle’s shot that tied the game came from close range.
The Sounders closed the game strongly and had two headers in the area that could have meant a victory and a place in the final.
In the 88th minute, Djimi Traore’s shot was saved by Sanchez and Neagle had one more chance in the 90th, but he shot wide.
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