The Seattle Sounders cruised to a comfortable 3-1 win over CD Marathon, ending the CONCACAF Champions League group stage with a perfect 4-0-0 record and clinching the third seed in the quarterfinals. First half goals from Sammy Ochoa and Steve Zakuani gave Seattle and early 2-0 cushion, and though Marathon were able to claw one back through Mitchel Brown just before half time, David Estrada would put it out of reach in the 76th minute after being set up by a clever low cross from Mario Martinez. Martinez had a very strong performance, notching two assists and coming very close to scoring from a free kick in the first half.
The identity of Seattle's quarterfinals opponent will be revealed at the completion of the final round of games on Thursday evening, but potential opponents include fellow MLS teams Houston Dynamo and LA Galaxy. CCL play is now done until the spring, and with just on game remaining in the regular season all attention will now turn to the playoffs; the Sounders Western Conference quarterfinal matchup will take place in the first week of November, but the exact dates will be determined following this weekend's Galaxy-Seattle and Real Salt Lake-Vancouver match-ups.