Pumas vs Seattle Sounders CONCACAF Champions Final: injuries, suspensions, predicted XIs

Pumas host Seattle Sounders in the opening leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario with the MLS side seeking to become the first non-Mexican club to lift the title. Pumas, meanwhile, are looking to add an inaugural Champions League trophy to their three Champions’ Cup successes, the tournament having being revamped in 2008.

Pumas: injuries and suspensions

Pumas have a few notable abstentees for the opening leg, Andrés Lillini some chalkboard work. Central defender Arturo ‘Palermo’ Ortiz is suspended having being sent off in the semi-final against Cruz Azul but the biggest issue for Lillini is a muscle injury picked up by forward Juan Ignacio Dinenno before the Liga MX game against Chivas. Dinenno is the tournament’s top scorer with seven goals and bagged both in the 2-1 aggregate semi-final win over Cruz Azul.

Also doubtful for the opening leg is midfielder Leonel López, who is suffering from a soft tissue edema, according to a Pumas medical report. Although López has not been completely ruled out, he will face a late fitness test and has to be considered a significant doubt for the opening leg.

Sounders: injuries and suspensions

Sounders boss Brian Schmetzer has no major injury concerns going into the opening leg and may opt for a side largely unchanged from the one that overcame New York City FC 4-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals. Back-up keeper Andrew Thomas has been ruled out while midfielder Dylan Teves, who was only promoted to the first team from the under-23s in January and has yet to make a senior start, is out with a hamstring issue.

Pumas vs Sounders: possible starting XIs

Pumas: Talavera; Mozo, Galindo, Freire, Velarde; Islas, Meritão, Rodríguez, Álvarez; Corozo, Diogo.

Seattle Sounders: Frei; Tolo, Ragen, Arreaga, Roldan; João Paulo, Rusnak, Roldan; Lodeiro, Morris, Ruidiaz.

Pumas vs Sounders: head to head

This is the first meeting between the sides, both of whom come into the game after back-to-back losses in their respective leagues. The Sounders are yet to pick up an away win the in the CONCACAF Champions League this season but have carved out a couple of draws while Pumas have been strong at home, conceding just twice at the Olímpico. However, Seattle can take heart from the almighty scare handed to the Mexican side by New England Revolution in the quarters, the MLS side putting three past Pumas at home before eventually losing on penalties in the return fixture.