Seattle Sounders lose first match in Champions League competition

SEATTLE – Sounders FC’s perfect run in the CONCACAF Champions League group stage came to a disappointing end Tuesday as Seattle, fielding a lineup of mostly reserves, lost to CS Herediano of Costa Rica 1-0 in front of 10,163 fans at CenturyLink Field.

Despite the loss, the Sounders (3-1) remain in first place in CCL’s Group D. Their best chance to tie the game came in the 89th minute, but forward Sammy Ochoa’s header forced a tremendous diving save by goalkeeper Daniel Cambronero.

Seattle forward Nate Jaqua headed the ensuing corner kick just wide.

With help from second-half substitutes Fredy Montero and Osvaldo Alonso, the Sounders’ offense picked up the pressure after halftime trying for an equalizer, but couldn’t finish any of several chances.

In the 76th minute, Jaqua had an open shot from the top of the penalty box, but fired wide.

Seattle midfielder Lamar Neagle, a Federal Way native, followed up with a nice header in the 82nd minute, but Cambronero was there again with the diving save.

Herediano (1-3) took the lead in the 25th minute after Sounders FC defender Zach Scott committed a foul 25 yards away from his own goal to set up a free kick.

Midfielder Yosimar Arias brilliantly curled the shot over the wall and away from goalkeeper Kasey Keller for the 1-0 lead.

The Costa Rican visitors had nearly scored earlier, but a 14th-minute shot by forward Jorge Barbosa was denied by the post.

Seattle’s best first-half scoring chance came in the 21st minute, but Jaqua’s shot from in front of the goal was deflected away by defender Francisco Calvo.

Even with a win, Sounders FC could not clinch a berth into the CCL quarterfinals on Tuesday because of Monterrey of Mexico’s 3-1 win against Guatemala’s Comunicaciones in the other Group D game.

Notes

Sounders FC next plays three straight road games, starting in Vancouver for a 7:30 p.m. league game Saturday at Empire Field. Seattle can clinch an MLS playoff berth with a win or tie. … Monterrey and Comunicaciones each have a 2-2 group-stage record. … Ochoa, who joined the team in August, made his Sounders FC debut in the 74th minute. … Seattle came into the game 9-1-1 since August and 13-2-3 at home since April, including MLS, U.S. Open Cup and CCL games.