Sounders expect rugged Round 2 in Honduras

Hard fouls and hard feelings accompanied CD Olimpia’s visit to Seattle last week, and Sounders FC assumes things will pick up where they left off Wednesday when the clubs conclude their CONCACAF Champions League series in Honduras.

“We expect the same: a little battle there,” midfielder Gonzalo Pineda said. “We know that they are a fighty team, and we have to be ready because this time they will be at home and it can be a little different. They will try to put pressure on us, and they will try to not let us play a little bit – a lot of fouls.”

A foul was the difference when the clubs met at CenturyLink Field. That game stood even in stoppage time when Olimpia midfielder Arnold Peralta knocked down Dylan Remick in the penalty area. That led to a penalty kick by Brad Evans, clinching Seattle’s come-from-behind 2-1 victory.

Evans said Olimpia goalkeeper Noel Vallardes had delayed the PK and talked trash. So when the kick hit the back of the net, Evans celebrated and did some talking of his own. Vallardes rushed over, and the teams gathered in a scrum with hard feelings that lasted beyond the final whistle.

“Sometimes that’s just the way things go,” Seattle coach Sigi Schmid said after the match. “Certainly things got a bit extreme there.”

Before beginning the two-day trip to Honduras, Schmid predicted more of the same.

“It will probably add a little spice to the game than would have been – probably gets their crowd into it,” he said. “Probably even helps their attendance for the game.”