Champions League gives Sounders FC chance against best

TUKWILA — Sounders FC's chance to play a Manchester United or FC Barcelona in real competition — not just in a friendly — starts Wednesday night at Qwest Field.

While the road to compete against the world's best club teams would span thousands of miles over many months, the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) is the first step. Kickoff in Seattle's first leg of a two-game preliminary round against Isidro Metapan of El Salvador is at 7 p.m.

The second leg will be in San Salvador next Tuesday.

CCL is a tournament for all the best teams in North and Central America, and Seattle clinched its berth in the competition by winning the 2009 U.S. Open Cup.

The winner of this regional tournament advances to the FIFA Club World Cup in 2011 to take on similar winners from around the world, including the prestigious UEFA Champions League in Europe.

"There's a long way to go before we talk about that," goalkeeper Kasey Keller said, "but any time you can go and showcase yourself against some of the best teams in the area, I don't see where that's a bad thing."

First, Seattle must get past Metapan. After that, the team would play in a group with Monterrey of Mexico, Saprissa of Costa Rica and either Tauro of Panama or Marathon of Honduras, followed by a knockout round to the championship.

Sounders FC forward Fredy Montero, who has played in international competitions in South America, revels in the chance to play against teams from different countries and cultures. But he's also looking to win.

"We want to make history with this team," Montero said through a translator.

Only two American teams have won the CCL — Los Angeles in 2000 and D.C. United in 1998.

Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid, who coached L.A. to the CCL title, said his team is taking the competition very seriously despite a crowded schedule that includes three games this week.

Schmid said a chance for the team to measure itself internationally and play the world's best "is something I think every player dreams of."

Steve Zakuani is one of them. The young midfielder has never played in an international tournament as a professional, but grew up in London watching Europe's best in the UEFA Champions League.

"This is our Champions League," Zakuani said. "It's the same magnitude; it's just for this region."

Inactive all-stars named

Keller, Montero and midfielder Freddie Ljungberg were each named inactive MLS all-stars Tuesday.

Due to provisions in the league's collective-bargaining agreement, MLS names seven all-stars that can't play in Wednesday night's game against Manchester United but are eligible to receive all-star bonuses. No Sounders would have been able to play because of the Metapan match.

NOTE

• A report in Sweden's Expressen newspaper cites Ljungberg's agent Phil Smith as saying there are five European teams interested in the 33-year-old midfielder. Schmid had no update on Ljungberg's status as he explores options to leave Sounders FC.