Published 9/28/2011 8:01:12 AM by William Montero from soccermogul

The Sounders went to Guatemala and got their result.  The Sounders have earned a place in the Champions League knockout rounds following a hard earned 2-2 draw against Comunicaciones in rainy Central America.

It was just as difficult a trip as advertised.  Hostile fans.  Terrible weather.  A feisty opponent that was willing to defend their home turf with attitude.  In the end though, the Seattle resolved shined through as they rallied in the dying minutes.

Comunicaciones did as they were expected....come out and grab the lead.  Montepeque scored early to put the home side ahead. The goal looked clearly offside, but you cannot expect to get those kind of calls in Central America.  The Sounders would answer back just before halftime.  Alonso picked up a loose ball and fired at net.  The ball took a deflection and found the goal to send the match even to halftime.

The Guatemalans came out quickly in the second half and soon had the lead back as Kasey Keller spilled a corner kick in the wet conditions.  Rafael Morales pounced on the loose ball for the 2-1 lead.  Seattle would not go quietly though.

Needing only a draw to clinch advancement, Seattle set about the task at hand.  They were rewarded very late on and it was Alonso again.  A cross found its way to Alonso who fired home from close range.  Seattle host Monterrey in their final group match with a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals already in hand.

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