Tigres reach CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals despite a 3-1 loss to the Sounders

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Cristian Roldan of the United States' Seattle Sounders reacts during a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal first leg soccer match against Mexico's Tigres in Monterrey, Mexico, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Mendoza)

Marco Reus of the United States' LA Galaxy, left, shakes hands with a referee at the end of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal first leg soccer match in Toluca, Mexico, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) — Cristian Roldan of the United States' Seattle Sounders reacts during a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal first leg soccer match against Mexico's Tigres in Monterrey, Mexico, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Mendoza)

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1:56 AM on Thursday, April 16

The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) — UANL Tigres lost the match but won their series on away goals Wednesday.

Albert Rusnak scored twice and the Seattle Sounders had a 3-1 victory over the Tigres, but the Tigres advanced to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals.

Rusnak put the home team ahead in the 11th minute and added a goal in the 82nd minute, while Danny Musovski scored in the 49th. Joaquim Pereira scored in the 31st minute for Tigres, who won the first leg 2-0.

The Mexican squad progressed because away goals are the tiebreak in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Tigres, aiming for a second Champions Cup title and first since 2020, will face Nashville SC, who defeated Club América on Tuesday.

Paulinho leads Toluca

Portuguese striker Joao Dias Fernandes Paulinho scored two goals in a six-minute span in the second half as Toluca FC cruised to a 3-0 victory Wednesday over LA Galaxy to advance to the semifinals.

Jesus Gallardo opened the scoring in the 10th minute and Paulinho followed with goals in the 58th and 64th minutes.

Toluca, which won back-to-back titles in Mexico, advanced to the semifinals for the sixth time and will play LAFC.

The 33-year-old Paulinho, who recently was called up to play for Portugal in friendly matches against Mexico and the United States, scored five goals in the series which finished 7-2 on aggregate.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer