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The Seattle Sounders must beat Al-Ahly on Saturday to set up a big game against Champions League winner Real Madrid in the Club World Cup, with the MLS team the first American team to compete in the competition.
The Sounders will face Egyptian side Al-Ahly on Saturday in the second round of the Club World Cup, and they need a win to advance to the semi-finals and take on reigning Champions League holders Real Madrid.
The Sounders are the first team from the US to compete in the competition after winning the CONCACAF Champions League over Pumas UNAM of Liga MX last May.
Al-Ahly, meanwhile, qualified as the African runner-up and advanced to the second round after beating Auckland City 3-0 on Wednesday.
While the Sounders will be looking for a possible test with Madrid in the semi-finals, they know they must first get past their African opponents.
“We definitely didn’t look beyond Al-Ahly,” goalkeeper Stefan Frei was quoted as saying by Reuters. ‘They are a team with a lot of experience in this tournament, but if we find ourselves moving forward, that would be amazing.
The Sounders are the first team from the United States to play in the Club World Cup
Real Madrid is a great favorite for the tournament after winning the Champions League
Al-Ahly’s Mohamed Sherif celebrates scoring his second goal against Auckland City in the first round
“For an MLS team to have the chance to play against arguably the best team in the world for something meaningful is a privilege, it’s an honor.
“We are sorry and we want to win against Al Ahly so that we can show our ability against such a big opponent.”
On the other side of the group, Wydad Casablanca plays Saudi Arabian champions Al-Hilal on Saturday with a matchup against Flamengo on the line.
Al-Ahly have finished third in the last two Club World Cups.
Hussein Elshahat, Mohamed Sherif and Percy Tau scored at Tangier Stadium on Wednesday as the Egyptian team advanced to the next round of the tournament.