Sounders U17 shuts out Tigres to win GA Cup

by Tom Hindle

April 17, 2022

Players featured in this article:

Etienne Veillard | 2025

F | Seattle Sounders

Eitenne Veillard knew exactly the run he wanted to make. The Seattle Sounders U17 right winger sprinted diagonally behind the Tigres defense. Alexander Hall knew exactly the pass he needed to play. He fed Veillard in between two defenders, allowing the lanky attacker to stride onto the ball.

And the connection worked. Veillard hit his shot early, surprising Tigres keeper Cesar Gonzalez, who saw the ball squrim through his arms and into the net.

Veillard’s nifty finish was the second of two Seattle goals in a commanding 2-0 victory to secure the Generation Adidas Cup — and crowing MLS teams champions at both age groups over the week-long tournament.

The Sounders struck either side of half time, hitting twice on the counter attack, with goals from Christopher Aquino and Veillard serving as enough to seal a win. For most of the game, the MLS side cut a defensive and disciplined team, allowing few looks from Tigres. They were outshot, 10-4, and enjoyed less of the ball. Still, Seattle was the more clinical unit, which proved enough to win on the night.

It was a first half of admittedly few looks. Both teams looked to connect but struggled to string passes through tight lines and high presses.

Tigres had the first look on goal, a floated header from the back post. However, Wyatt Nelson — later named goalie of the tournament — comfortably corralled the effort. Seattle responded with a try of its own. This time it was Hall, who took on two men before lashing his shot wide from just outside the box.

The first major chance of the half came from Isac Galvan, who cut inside onto his left foot, before trying to curl a delicate shot into the top corner. It was a floated thing, one that dared Nelson to fling himself at. The Sounders keeper responded with aplomb, tipping the ball around the post to keep the game scoreless.

So, when the goal came, it was well against the run of play. Christopher Aquino picked up the ball 30 yards from goal and whacked a shot with the inside of his left boot, sending the ball spinning past Cesar Gonzalez and into the bottom corne

32' GOOOOAAAAL SOUNDERS! 👏

Another moment of magic from Chris Aquino! 🔥

SEA 1 | TIG 0

💻: https://t.co/gpR5kwgS8D pic.twitter.com/kic6y6lwCh
— Sounders FC Academy (@SoundersAcademy) April 18, 2022

r. His strike put the Sounders up 1-0, and it stayed that way for the rest of the half.

The second period immediately brought drama. Seattle struck right from the kick off, with Hall and Veillard connecting for the Sounders’ second. The right midfielder hit the ball early, and it squeezed into the net through the arms of Gonzalez. Veillard sprinted towards the bench in celebration, the whole Sounders squad joining him in jubilation.

36' GOOOOAAAAL SEATTLE!

Etienne Veillard doubles the lead 25 seconds into the second half! 🙌

SEA 2 | TIG 0

💻: https://t.co/gpR5kwgS8D pic.twitter.com/hsw6xcejxa
— Sounders FC Academy (@SoundersAcademy) April 18, 2022

Five minutes later, they nearly had further reason to celebrate. Antonio Hererra made a lively run down the left side before darting to his right. A smooth stop from Gonzalez kept the game from getting out of hand.

Meanwhile, the Seattle defense made things difficult for Tigres. It blocked passes down the lines, forcing the Mexican side to the middle — where they were swiftly outnumbered. The few chances Tigres did have were largely speculative. Marcelo Salinas sent one over from 35 yards out. Diego Sanchez toiled while outnumbered on the wing. And Galvan fired wide from just outside the area.

Seattle had the better of the looks as the clock wound down. Veillard perhaps should have scored a second, meeting a neat angled ball from Hall with a left handed effort that Gonzalez parried away.

So, the Sounders scored shortly before half right, and right after it, before shutting the game down. It was a composed performance from the American side, one that lived along the margins, and relied on being more clinical in key moments.

Ultimately, though, all it needed was a well-timed run and delicate pass.