Seattle Sounders must beat Al-Ahly to set up a huge game against Champions League winner Real Madrid

The Sounders will face Egyptian side Al-Ahly on Saturday in the Club World Cup second round, needing a win to advance to the semifinals and face reigning Champions League winners Real Madrid.

The Sounders are the first team from the USA to compete in the competition after winning the CONCACAF Champions League over Liga MX’s Pumas UNAM last May.

Al-Ahly, meanwhile, qualified as African runners-up and advanced to the second round after beating Auckland City 3-0 on Wednesday.

While the Sounders will be eyeing a potential test with Madrid in the semis, they know they have to get past their African opponents first.

‘We definitely don’t look past Al-Ahly,’ goalkeeper Stefan Frei said according to Reuters. ‘They are a very experienced team in this tournament, but if we do find ourselves moving forward, it would be incredible.

The Sounders are the first team from the United States to play in the World Club Cup

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Real Madrid are heavy favorites for the tournament after winning the Champions League

Al-Ahly’s Mohamed Sherif celebrates scoring their second goal vs. Auckland City in round one

‘For an MLS team to have the opportunity to play against arguably the best team in the world for something meaningful is a privilege, it’s an honor.

‘We sense that and we want to win against Al Ahly so that we can showcase our skill against such a huge opponent.’

On the other side of the bracket, Wydad Casablanca plays Saudi Arabian champion Al-Hilal on Saturday with a matchup versus 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 the Tangier Stadium on Wednesday as the Egyptian team progressed to the next round of the tournament.