Super sub Sandoval completes Chivas comeback against Seattle Sounders

SEATTLE – Santiago Sandoval needed only one minute to leave his mark on Chivas de Guadalajara’s final match of the 2026 Leagues Cup. The second-half substitute came in with something to prove, with only one minute after being substituted he connected on a cross from Luis Romo in the 72nd minute and delivered a flying header towards the far post to complete the comeback in what was the deciding goal as Chivas came from behind to defeat the Seattle Sounders 2-1 Wednesday night at Lumen Field.

Sandoval’s immediate impact gave Chivas its first victory of the tournament and ended Seattle’s defense of its Leagues Cup title. Chivas entered the match already eliminated from quarterfinal contention, while Seattle still had a narrow chance to advance with a victory and help from other results. Instead, the Sounders finished Phase One with three points from three matches.

While advancement was a long shot, Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer used a heavily rotated lineup that featured nine changes from Seattle’s victory over Querétaro. Stefan Frei and Sebastian Gomez were the only returning starters, while Tacoma Defiance players Edson Carli, Mark O’ Neil, Charlie Gaffney and Gallatin Sandnes each made their first Sounders start. One of those new additions gave Seattle an early advantage. Jesús Ferreira sent a corner kick towards the back post in the 13th minute, allowing Antino Lopez to head the ball back across the goal. Sandnes reacted in front of the net and redirected it past Chivas goalkeeper Óscar Whalley for his first professional goal. Seattle nearly added another three minutes later when Lopez’s header sent Osaze De Rosario behind the defense, but Whalley stopped his one-on-one attempt.

Chivas responded by placing Seattle under pressure for the remainder of the first half. Hugo Camberos received area in the 29th minute, but his attempt went directly towards Frei. Camberos challenged the goalkeeper again three minutes later with a long-distance shot headed towards the top of the goal, forcing Frei to knock it over the crossbar. Frei made another important stop during first-half stoppage time when Roberto “Piojo” Alvarado connected on a one-time attempt inside the penalty area. Seattle carried its 1-0 advantage into halftime, but Chivas’ growing control of the match was a warning of what awaited the young Sounders lineup after the break.

Chivas continued to control possession in the second half as Romo helped direct the visitors attack from midfield. Frei stopped yet another attempt from Chivas which came in the 60th minute from Alvardo, as Seattle could not steer clear from the danger. Luis Rey then collected a loose ball inside the penalty area less than minute later and fired a shot inside the near post to tie the match. Chivas appeared to move ahead in the 64th minute when Ricardo Marín headed Diego Campillo’s cross into the net, but Campillo was ruled offside before delivering the pass. The decision only delayed Chivas from completing its comeback.



Sandoval entered the match in the 71st minute and made his presence felt almost immediately. Romo received the ball on the left side and delivered a cross down the middle where Sandoval separated from Seattle’s defense and directed a diving header towards the far post. Sandoval scored just one minute after entering the match, and his header ultimately became the game-winning goal. Camberos nearly extended the lead moments later with a scissor-kick attempt that struck the post. Seattle produced two late opportunities for De Rosario but could not find an equalizer, while Frei prevented Sandoval from scoring a second goal with a save in the 90th minute.

Romo was named man of the match after helping Chivas take control of the midfield and providing the assist on Sandoval’s winning goal. His second-half performance was what helped turn the early deficit into a positive must-needed ending to its tournament.

Chivas closed Phase One with four points and will return to Liga MX play Sunday against Santos Laguna at Estadio TSM Corona in Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico. While Seattle will shift its attention back to MLS compettion when its hosts the Western Conference-leading Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday at Lumen Field. in Seattle, WA.