Nate Jaqua scored two goals for the second straight US Open Cup game. Photo: Corky Trewin | Sounders FC

The victory party for the 97^th US Open cup will go through the Emerald City, with the defending US Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders trying to make history with a chance to win a trophy in front of their home fans for the first time.

The Seattle Sounders, undefeated in Open Cup play on the FieldTurf of the Starfire Sports Complex in suburban Tukwila, advanced to the final with a 3-1 win over Chivas USA Wednesday night in front of a sold-out crowd of 4,547 fans. Seattle won the bid to host the game at Qwest Field if they reached the final, and will face the Columbus Crew on Oct. 5 for the chance to add a second trophy to their case.

By reaching the final, they become the first expansion team in the Professional Era (1995-present) to play in the final in their first two seasons as a franchise. If they are able to defeat the Crew, they will become the first club to repeat as champions since the New York Pancyprian Freedoms won the 1982 and 1983 Open Cups.

Seattle won the U.S. Open Cup in its inaugural season, 2009, at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. last September, defeating host D.C. United. Next month, it’s former Crew-turned Sounders coach Sigi Schmid facing Robert Warzycha, his former assistant in Ohio-turned Crew head coach, in a match for the hardware.

Nate Jaqua scored the game’s first and last goals, the clincher coming in stoppage time of the second half, and Fredy Montero added another for the Sounders, who found plenty of holes in Chivas’ defense all night.

Jaqua’s brace gives him seven career US Open Cup goals and five in this year’s tournament, tying him for the lead in the latter category with Paulo Araujo Jr. of Miami FC (USSF Division 2). His first goal came off a run down the left side by Steve Zakuani, who didn’t quit when he reached the touch line and centered to Jaqua for the put-away.

Montero gave Seattle a 2-0 lead in the 59^th minute, with Zakuani providing the assist again. Chivas USA rallied to make it 2-1 nine minutes later, with Jesus Padilla driving home a flick from Justin Braun, and it appeared the finish was going to be a thriller.

The Sounders took the air out of the ball and did a good job stalling and keeping possession, as goalkeeper Kasey Keller was barely threatened. They found an opening in the final minute with Chivas pushed forward for an equalizer, and Jaqua made them pay once again.

Scoring:
SEA – Nate Jaqua (Steve Zakuani) – 10th minute
SEA – Fredy Montero (Steve Zakuani) – 59th minute
CHV – Jesus Padilla (Justin Braun) – 66th minute
SEA – Nate Jaqua (Roger Levesque) – 90th+ minute

Misconduct Summary:
CHV – Paulo Nagamura (Yellow) – 51st minute
SEA – Osvaldo Alonso (Yellow) – 79th minute

Lineups:

SEA: Kasey Keller, James Riley, Tyrone Marshall, Taylor Graham, Leo Gonzalez, Alvaro Fernandez (Roger Levesque 83rd), Osvaldo Alonso, Nathan Sturgis (Mike Seamon 66th), Steve Zakuani (Jeff Parke 90+), Fredy Montero, Nate Jaqua.
Subs not used: Terry Boss, David Estrada, Michael Fucito, Zach Scott

CHV: Zach Thornton, Michael Umana, Mariano Trujillo, Ante Jazic, Dario Delgado, Marcelo Saragosa, Paulo Nagamura, Rodolfo Espinoza, Jonathan Bornstein (Michael Lahoud 45th), Justin Braun, Giancarlo Maldonado (Sal Zizzo). Subs: Kevin Guppy, Carlos Borja, Yamith Cuesta, Michael Lahoud, Jesus Padilla, Ben Zemanski, Sal Zizzo.

Stats:
Shots – Chivas USA 10:19 Seattle
Shots on goal – Chivas USA 6:9 Seattle
Saves – Chivas USA 6:5 Seattle
Fouls – Chivas 13:9 Seattle
Corner Kicks – Chivas USA 7:10 Seattle
Offsides – Chivas USA 3:1 Seattle

Referee: Ricardo Salazar
Referee’s Assistants: Colin Arblaster, Mike Kampmeinert.
4th Official: Josh Wilkens
Weather: Party Cloudy, 67 degrees
Attendance: 4,547

North American Soccer Reporters Links:
Zakuani a force in Sounders’ Open Cup victory (Andrew Winner, MLSSoccer.com)
Commentary: Goats doomed by lack of swagger (Jeffrey King, MLSSoccer.com)
Seattle player quotes | Chivas USA player quotes | Sigi Schmid & Adrien Hanauer quotes (Joshua Mayers, Seattle Times)

FULL MATCH VIDEO (FIRST HALF) – SoundersFC.com

FULL MATCH VIDEO (SECOND HALF) – SoundersFC.com

After a US Open Cup hiatus that saw the Columbus Crew absent from the tournament for the last two years, the Crew have returned to the championship game with a 2-1 extra time victory over DC United in the semifinals.

Andy Iro atoned for his foul that gave DC United a 13th minute penalty kick, by scoring an 89th minute equalizer. Photo: Tony Quinn | DC United

The visitors battled back from an early 1-0 deficit, which was helped by a 59th minute red card issued to United’s goalscorer Pablo Hernandez. DC United appeared on their way to becoming the first team in almost 30 years to reach the championship game three years in a row, but Andy Iro directed a shot that bounced off United defender Matthew Burch for an own goal in the 89th minute. In extra time, Guillermo Barros Schelotto converted a penalty kick in the 98th minute to send the Crew back to the title game for the first time since they lifted the trophy in 2002.

In 2002, Columbus won the US Open Cup by defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy, 1-0, on a first half goal by Freddy Garcia set up by Brian West. They celebrated their first championship of any kind in front of their home fans at Crew Stadium in 2002, but in order to win it this year, they will have to play on the road. If Seattle wins their semifinal match, the Crew will travel to Qwest Field on October 5, and if Chivas USA win, the final will be played on October 12 at the Home Depot Center.

Both teams created chances early in the game, but DC would break through in the 13th minute. Pablo Hernandez was taken down just inside the penalty area by the Crew’s Andy Iro and the referee awarded a penalty kick. Hernandez would step to the spot and score his first goal as a member of DC United to give his team an early lead.

After the halftime break, United nearly doubled their lead when Andy Najar fired a shot from close range, but the ball rang off the post.

The game changed in the 59th minute when the goalscorer Hernandez lashed out at Columbus midfielder Danny O’Rourke. Hernandez was shown a straight red for attempting to kick O’Rourke, who was shown a yellow card for his role in the dust-up.

Eddie Gaven of the Columbus Crew tackles DC United's Andy Najar. Photo: Tony Quinn | DC United

Despite playing a man down, DC was able to hold off Columbus’ attack. In the 71st minute, Eddie Gaven broke in on the left side of the penalty area and found himself one-on-one with DC goalkeeper Bill Hamid, but the rookie made the save and covered up the rebound to preserve the 1-0 lead.

The Crew continued to put on the pressure and it paid off in the final minutes. Iro atoned for his earlier foul that led to a penalty kick when he received a ball just inside the box. He used his size to fight off his defender, finding enough space to turn and fire a low shot that struck United defender Marc Burch on the way into the back of the net.

In extra time, the Crew would punch their ticket to the final when Steven Lenhart was taken down in the penalty area. Guillermo Barros Schelotto would take a cool strike from the penalty spot to give Columbus a 2-1 lead. Shorthanded DC would still threaten in the last 20 minutes, but the Crew’s defense would hold them off.

Scoring:
DCU – Pablo Hernandez (PK) – 13th minute
CLB – Own goal (Marc Burch) – 89th minute
CLB – Guillermo Barros Schelotto (PK) – 98th minute

Misconduct Summary:
DCU – Devon McTavish (Yellow) – 26th minute
DCU – Dejan Jakovic (Yellow) – 34th minute
DCU – Pablo Hernandez (Red) – 59th minute
CLB – Danny O’Rourke (Yellow) – 59th minute
CLB – Steven Lenhart (Yellow) – 96th minute
DCU – Carey Talley (Yellow) – 97th minute

Lineups:

DCU: Bill Hamid (GK), Stephen King, Devon McTavish (Jamie Moreno 99th), Julius James (Carey Talley 90th), Clyde Simms, Santino Quaranta, Danny Allsopp (Jordan Graye 72nd), Pablo Hernandez, Andy Najar, Marc Burch, Dejan Jakovic

CLB: Andy Gruenebaum (GK), Frankie Hejduk, Andy Iro, Chad Marshall, Danny O’Rourke (Dilly Duka 68th), Gino Padula (Jason Garey 68th), Adam Moffat (Kevin Burns 78th), Eddie Gaven, Brian Carroll, Steven Lenhart, Guillermo Barros Schelotto

Stats

Shots – Columbus 11:12 DC United
Shots on goal – Columbus 6:4 DC United
Saves – Columbus 3:5 DC United
Fouls – Columbus 13:12 DC United
Corner Kicks – Columbus 1:4 DC United
Offsides – Columbus 7:1 DC United

Referee: Chris Penso
Referee’s Assistants: Sean Hurd, Cyril Madukanya
4th Official: Jeff Gontarek
Weather: Clear, 91 degrees
Attendance: 3,411

Media Links:
Post-game quotes (MLSSoccer.com)
DC disappointed, angry at red-card decision (MLSSoccer.com)
Crew final-bound, despite imperfect performance (MLSSoccer.com)
Crew 2, DC United 1 (OT): Schelotto helps put Crew in final of US Open Cup (Columbus Dispatch)
DC United loses to Columbus Crew in overtime of US Open Cup semifinal (Washington Post)

Columbus Crew (MLS) at D.C. United (MLS)
7:30 p.m. ET – RFK Stadium – Washington, D.C.
Broadcast: DCUnited.com (Video) | Columbus Crew (Radio)

Wednesday’s game will be the sixth game in nineteen days for the Crew, while the game will only be United’s third in the same span. For the Crew, Emmanuel Ekpo suffered a groin injury during their Champions League match against Santos, causing him to miss Saturday’s 0-0 draw with FC Dallas. Reports indicate that Ekpo should be available for Wednesday’s match. The team has asked the Venezuelan federation for permission to retain Emilio Renteria through Thursday morning in order to play in Wednesday’s semifinal. Renteria was called up to the Venezuelan national team for friendlies against Colombia (Sept. 3) and Ecuador (Sept. 7).

Photo: Jason Mowry | Columbus Crew

Normally, MLS clubs see the US Open Cup as a chance to rest starters in preparation for the next weekend’s MLS game. However, United’s only real hope for hardware this year is winning the Lamar Hunt Trophy, so they are taking an opposite stance.

Leading up to Sunday’s MLS game against Chivas USA (which they lost 1-0), interim head coach Ben Olsen announced that defender Marc Burch and forward Pablo Hernandez would skip the MLS game to stay fresh for their cup clash with Columbus. Defender Carey Talley has recovered from a groin injury and is ready to see action again. Defender Danny Allsopp stayed at home for the Chivas match due to an illness that was feared to be contagious, but is healthy again and available to play if needed. Branko Boskovic will be unavailable since he has been celled up for Montenegro’s Euro 2010 qualifiers against Wales (Sept. 3) and Bulgaria (Sept. 7). Barry Rice (cut above eye) and Jed Zayner (sprained ankle) will miss the match due to injury. Zayner isn’t eligible to play United anyway since he was cup-tied with Columbus, who traded him to DC on August 5.

Andy Najar celebrates his first professional goal. Photo: Tony Quinn | DC United

Steve Lenhart of the Crew is the only player between these two clubs that has scored multiple goals. This puts him three goals behind the tournament leader Paul Araujo Jr. of Miami FC (USSF Division 2). DC United’s Jamie Moreno is second on the Professional Era’s (1995-present) all-time goalscoring list with 12.

If DC United and Seattle can win, it sets up an intriguing US Open Cup final between the two teams that were in it last year, and the hype leading up to the match in 2009 helped build a rivalry between the two teams. Only three times in the tournment’s 96-year history has there been the same two teams in back-to-back finals. The last time it happened was when Brooklyn Hispano defeated Morgan-Strasser from Pittsburgh in 1943 (3-2 in a replay after the first game finished 2-2) and 1944 (4-0). The last time we had a repeat of a final was in 1982 when Maccabee AC (Los Angeles, CA) defeated the New York Pancyprian Freedoms 4-3 in extra time, avenging their 3-2 loss to the Freedoms in the 1980 championship game.

US Open Cup final hosting possibilities

If DC United wins, they will host the Open Cup final at RFK Stadium (October 6) for the third straight year only if Chivas USA defeats the Seattle Sounders. If DC wins, and Seattle beats Chivas, the final will be held at the Sounders’ home stadium of Qwest Field on October 5.

If the Columbus Crew wins, they will play the Open Cup final on the road regardless of the result of the other semifinal. If Seattle wins against Chivas USA, the game will be played at Qwest Field on October 5. If the Goats win, they will host at the Home Depot Center on October 12.

Since Columbus’ last Open Cup game…
While the Crew are still nipping at the heels of the LA Galaxy for the best record in Major League Soccer, they have cooled off quite a bit since their 3-0 quarterfinal win over the Charleston Battery on July 6. Three of their five losses have come during this stretch. Columbus has also been busy with the CONCACAF Champions League, with a win against Guatemala’s Municipal followed by a controversial loss to Mexico’s Santos Laguna.

Since DC United’s last Open Cup game…
Is it possible for things to get worse for DC United? On August 4, head coach Curt Onalfo was fired after a 3-12-3 start, and assistant and longtime United player Ben Olsen was named the interim head coach. With little hope of making the MLS Playoffs, expect DC to throw everything they have toward winning their third US Open Cup title. DCU lost to another Open Cup semifinalist, Chivas USA, on Sunday, 1-0.

Columbus Crew
Founded: 1994
Location: Columbus, OH
Head Coach: Robert Warzycha
Record: 12-5-5 41 pts., 31 GF 20 GA, 1st in MLS Eastern Conference

Last Five Games
Aug. 14 – 0-2 loss at Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Aug. 18 – 1-0 win vs. Municipal (GUA) (CONCACAF Champions League)
Aug. 21 – 3-1 win vs. Colorado (MLS)
Aug. 24 – 0-1 loss at Santos Laguna (MEX) (CONCACAF Champions League)
Aug. 28 – 0-0 draw av. FC Dallas (MLS)

Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Guillermo Barros Schelotto, 6
Assists: Guillermo Barros Schelotto, 8
Goalkeeping: Will Hesmer 1,980 Min., 0.91 GAA

US Open Cup History
The Crew returned to the Open Cup last season after a two-year absence. From 1998 to 2002, they made it to a least the Quarterfinals each time, winning the Cup in 2002 and losing the 1998 final to the Chicago Fire. Since 2003, Columbus has reached the Quarters just once.

DC United
Founded: 1995
Location: Washington, D.C.
Head Coach: Ben Olsen
Record: 4-14-3 15 Pts., 15 GF 35 GA, 8th in MLS Eastern Conference

Last Five Games
July 31 – 0-3 loss at Real Salt Lake (MLS)
Aug. 7 – 0-1 loss at New England (MLS)
Aug 14 – 1-3 loss vs. FC Dallas (MLS)
Aug 22 – 2-0 win vs. Philadelphia (MLS)
Aug. 29 – 0-1 loss at Chivas USA (MLS)

Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Danny Allsop, 4
Assists: Rodney Wallace, 2
Goalkeeping: Troy Perkins. 1,350 Min., 1.8 GAA

Open Cup History
Two Open Cup titles (1996, 2008), twice a runner up (1997, 2009), three semifinal appearances (2001, 2003,2006) and two quarterfinal appearances (2000, 2005) make up one of the finest Open Cup resumes among MLS clubs.

Previous Meetings

2010 MLS Season
Columbus Crew 2:0 DC United
June 26, 2010
Columbus Crew Stadium – Columbus, OH
Crew – Guillermo Barros Schelotto 57’, Eric Brunner 87’

US Open Cup
DC United 2-1 (aet) Columbus Crew
August 1, 2006 – Fourth Round
Maryland Soccerplex – Boyds, MD
DC United – Jamie Moreno 22’, Jamil Walker 93’
Columbus – Chad Marshall 18’

CD Chivas USA (MLS) at Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
10:30 PM EST – Starfire Sports Complex – Tukwila, WA
Broadcast: SoundersFC.com (Video) | No radio available

Chivas USA and the Seattle Sounders meet for the first time in U.S. Open Cup play. Both teams have drastically different Open Cup resumes. Chivas USA has never reached the final four and are notorious for their lack of success in the tournament, while Seattle are trying to reach the final for the second time in only their second MLS season. If you include the Sounders’ USL franchise, this is Seattle’s fourth straight semifinal appearance. (Note: Officially, the records for the Sounders’ USL franchise are kept separate from the MLS franchise.) The match will be played in front of a sell-out crowd at Starfire Sports Complex.

Photo: Houston Dynamo

It seems most of the credit for the Sounders resurgence can be attributed to the departure of Freddie Ljungberg. At the end of July, Seattle traded the Swedish veteran to the Chicago Fire for a conditional draft pick. Since then, reports have come out that Ljungberg had a very strained relationship with several teammates. It may not be a coincidence then that the Sounders’ last MLS defeat was the last time Ljungberg appeared in a Sounders uniform, a 3-1 loss to Los Angeles on July 4. That game remains the only one Seattle has lost since their last Open Cup match.

The Sounders’ Nate Jaqua has scored three goals in Open Cup play this year, which is the most of any player still remaining in the tournament. Miami FC’s Paulo Araujo Jr. is the top goalscorer with five. Araujo Jr. scored four against the Central Florida Kraze of the PDL in the first round and added another in Round 2’s 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The only other active players with more than one are Justin Braun of Chivas USA and Steven Lenhart of the Columbus Crew with two.

(In case you skipped to this point and missed this above)

If DC United and Seattle can win, it sets up an intriguing US Open Cup final between the two teams that were in it last year, and the hype leading up to the match in 2009 helped build a rivalry between the two teams. Only three times in the tournment’s 96-year history has there been the same two teams in back-to-back finals. The last time it happened was when Brooklyn Hispano defeated Morgan-Strasser from Pittsburgh in 1943 (3-2 in a replay after the first game finished 2-2) and 1944 (4-0). The last time we had a repeat of a final was in 1982 when Maccabee AC (Los Angeles, CA) defeated the New York Pancyprian Freedoms 4-3 in extra time, avenging their 3-2 loss to the Freedoms in the 1980 championship game.

US Open Cup final hosting possibilities

If the Seattle Sounders win, they will host the Open Cup final on October 5 at Qwest Field against the winner of DC United and the Columbus Crew.

If Chivas USA wins, they will host the championship game at the Home Depot Center on october 12 only if the Columbus Crew defeat DC United. If DC wins, the Goats will travel to RFK Stadium for the title game on October 6.

Miguel Montano of the Seattle Sounders battles for the ball against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Montano assisted on both goals in Seattle's 2-0 win. Photo: Seattle Sounders

Since Chivas USA’s last Open Cup game …
On July 6 at Houston, Chivas USA had a 4-3-3 record including three SuperLiga matches. They are coming off a 1-0 win over DC United at the Home Depot Center on Sunday, with Justin Braun scoring the decisive goal. The Goats have remained at the bottom of the MLS Western Conference standings, but not for a lack of trying. Chivas were 3-9-2 when they beat Houston in the Quarterfinals, and have gone 2-2-2 in league games since. However, Chivas’ hopes for the MLS Playoffs are slim, sitting 10 points out with six other clubs between them and the final playoff berth. It appears as though Chivas USA are still fighting for a playoff spot, despite the odds against them, as they fielded their first team lineup in their win over DC on Sunday.

Since Seattle’s last Open Cup game…
The Sounders have gone on a seven-match unbeaten streak in league play. Fredy Montero was just named MLS Player of the Week for his two goals against Chicago on August 28. When they defeated the LA Galaxy 2-0 in the quarterfinals, the Sounders were fighting for MLS playoff spots. Since then, a 5-1-2 run has solidified their quest for the MLS post-season, closing in on third place FC Dallas in the Western Conference. The Sounders also defeated El Salvador’s Isidro Metapan to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League group stage, where they have dropped their first two matches against Marathon and Monterrey.

CD Chivas USA
Founded: 2004
Location: Carson, CA
Head Coach: Martin Vasquez
Record: 5-11-4 19 Pts., 22 GF 26 GA, 8th in MLS Western Conference

Last Five Games
July 31 – 3-1 win vs. Columbus (MLS)
Aug. 7 – 1-2 loss at Toronto (MLS)
Aug. 14 – 0-0 draw vs. Seattle (MLS)
Aug. 21 – 0-1 loss at FC Dallas (MLS)
Aug 29 – 1-0 win vs. DC United (MLS)

Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Justin Braun (8)
Assists: Three players tied with 3.
Goalkeeping: Zach Thornton (1,295 Min., 1.18 GAA)

US Open Cup History
The Open Cup has not been kind to Chivas USA. Only once in their five tries have they advanced past their opening game (2005), and that tournament ended for them in the next game. Chivas also has the dubious distinction of the only MLS team to be eliminated by a USASA side, when in 2006, Dallas Roma pulled off a sensational penalty kick upset after a scoreless draw through 120 minutes.

Seattle Sounders FC
Founded: 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Head Coach: Sigi Schmid
Record: 9-8-5 32 Pts., 25 GF 26 GA, 4th in MLS Western Conference

Last Five Games
Aug. 8 – 2-0 win vs. Houston (MLS)
Aug 14 – 0-0 draw at Chivas USA (MLS)
Aug. 19 – 1-2 loss at CD Matathon (HON) (CONCACAF Champions League)
Aug. 25 – 0-2 loss vs. Monterrey (MEX) (CONCACAF Champions League)
Aug. 28 – 2-1 win vs. Chicago (MLS)

Team Stat Leaders
Goals: Freddy Montero, 10
Assists: Freddy Montero, 9
Goalkeeping: Kasey Keller 1,845 Min., 1.17 GAA

US Open Cup History

The MLS Sounders made a big splash in their Open Cup debut last year, defeating DC United 2-1 in the final. Last year, they were the first MLS expansion team to win the title since the Chicago Fire did it in 1998. They are trying to become the first MLS expansion club to reach the Open Cup final in each of their first two seasons in the league (Note: DC United reached the final in their first two seasons in 1996 and 1997, but those were the first two years of the league) and the first back-to-back champion since the New York Pancyprian Freedoms won two straight in 1982 and 1983.

Photo: Seattle Sounders

The USL Seattle Sounders (no connection with the MLS club) found little success in the Open Cup until a pair of Semifinal appearances in 2007 (lost to FC Dallas) and 2008 (lost to Charleston Battery).

Previous Meetings

2010 MLS Season
Chivas USA 0:0 Seattle Sounders
August 14, 2010
The Home Depot Center – Carson, CA
Sent Off – Mariano Trujillo (Chivas) 91’+, Leonardo Gonzalez (Seattle) 91’+

US Open Cup
This is the first ever meeting between the clubs in the U.S. Open Cup

————————————————-

US Open Cup semifinal trivia

Record-wise, this year’s semifinal field is one of the worst in Pro Era history. The four clubs have a combined league record of 30-38-17 heading into Wednesday’s games. This ranks as the second-worst combined record since professional clubs began Open Cup play in 1995. The only final four to have a worse cumulative mark was the 2004 field of the Kansas City Wizards (10-7-5), Chicago Fire (5-10-7), San Jose Earthquakes (8-7-6) and the USL’s Charleston Battery (6-15-6) that combined for a 29-39-24 record.

Long Distance Semis
While it’s a long way between this year’s semifinal locations, it’s not the furthest apart the two games have been played since 1995. In fact, the 2,752 miles between RFK Stadium and Tukwila, Washington ranks only fourth. In 2001, 3,022 miles separated the final between the Los Angeles Galaxy and the Chicago Fire in Fullerton, California from the DC United and New England Revolution match in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

NOTE: Miles according to Google Maps shortest driving distance

Most semifinal appearances (All-Time)
11 – Kutis SC (St. Louis) (1953, 1954, 1957, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1975, 1983, 1985, 1986)
10 – Sparta Athletic & Benevolent Association (Chicago) (1927, 1929, 1933, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1942, 1943, 1947, 1951)
9 – Bethlehem Steel (1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919, 1924, 1926, 1927, 1930)
7 – Maccabee AC (Los Angeles) (1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982)
7 – Chicago Fire (1998, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006)
6 – NY Greek American Atlas (1967, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1989)
6 – Stix, Baer & Fuller* (St. Louis) (1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937)
*Played as Central Breweries in 1935, Shamrocks in 1936 & 1937

Nate Jaqua celebrates one of his two goals against the Los Angeles Galaxy in the semifinals. Photo: Seattle Sounders FC

TheGalaxy had beaten Seattle 3-1 three days before in Los Angeles. Jaqua’s clutch performance earned him the Player of the Round for the quarterfinals.

The award is voted on by the staff of TheCup.us and a select panel of members of the North American Soccer Reporters (www.soccerreporters.com).

Jaqua edged Justin Braun of Chivas USA for the award, who scored a pair of goals in the Goats’ 3-1 win over the Houston Dynamo. Both Braun and Jaqua will face off with their respective teams in the final four, which will be held at Starfire Soccer Complex in Tukwila, Wash. The game will be played September 1 at 10 p.m. Eastern Time.

Jaqua was gracious enough to make time to talk with Matt Gaschk of SoundersFC.com about his performance:

How important was the 2-0 win over LA for the Sounders?

Jaqua: It was big. Especially since we just played them and lost to them down there [at the Home Depot Center], so there was a bit of revenge there. There was also the Open Cup – we’re the defending champions and it’s something we want to defend. It was good for us and got us some motivation going forward. We’re in the semifinals now, so were one game away from the final and another chance to bring another championship back to Seattle.

You had two goals in that game, how were they set up?

They were both good service. One was bouncing around and I was able to get my head on it. The other one, Miguel Montano put a good ball in. If you make good runs and get to the right spots and we get good service, we’re going to score a lot of goals.

You were fresh off an injury at that point. How important was it for your confidence to go into a game and get a couple of goals?

It was big. I was trying to carry that over a little bit and had a bit of a setback with the injury, so now I’m just trying to get going again.

How much did that help the team in starting the run that you’re on now?

I can’t really pinpoint what it was that got us playing better and playing more as a team, but that was one step in the right direction. It’s something that we are trying to build going forward every game. We’re still not playing to our potential. I think we can still improve and get better and have everybody more on the same page and be the team we can be. I don’t think we’re there yet, but we’ve definitely made some good steps in the right direction.

How close does this team feel to the one that won the US Open Cup last year?

We’re really close. We’ve got the game at home at Starfire again and that will be a big lift. It’s fun playing out there. We’re definitely close. It’s just a matter of getting out and playing at home against Chivas. If we play the way we can and get that win we’ll be in the final again and anything can happen then.

DC United struck early in both halves, then held on to defeat the Harrisburg City Islanders for the second year in a row in the US Open Cup Quarterfinals, this time by a 2-0 tally. Branko Boskovic struck in the first minute, and Thabiso Khumalo doubled the lead at 47′.

Boskovic, playing in his second game since being signed from Rapid Vienna, struck 40 seconds into the game, taking the feed from Santino Quaranta and bouncing it past City Islanders keeper Danny Cepero into the net. DC kept control throughout the rest of the half, outshooting Harrisburg 8-3 and never giving the visitors any room.

The second half began in much the same fashion, as Bill Hamid slotted the ball in for Khumalo, who put the ball past Cepero for a 2-0 lead two minutes in. Harrisburg struggled to mount an effective counterattack, and their hopes of getting back into the game were dashed at 75′. Tyler Ruthven committed a hard foul on DC United’s Khumalo, earning a straight red card and leaving the City Islanders a man down. DC easily controlled the rest of their match, earning a third straight trip to the Semifinals.

DC United will host fellow MLS club Columbus Crew in the Semifinals at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, September 1. This will be the team’s 17th straight home US Open Cup game (including MLS qualifiers), with their only loss in that stretch coming during last year’s final to Seattle Sounders FC. Harrisburg earns a $10,000 prize for being the USL-2 club advancing the farthest. Though both the City Islanders and Charleston Battery were eliminated in the Quarterfinals, Harrisburg earns the money based on winning their Third Round game against the New York Red Bulls outright, while Charleston drew the Chicago Fire before defeating them in Penalty Kicks.

Scoring:
DC — Branko Boskovic (Santino Quaranta) 1
DC — Thabiso Khumalo (Bill Hamid) 47

Misconduct Summary:
HAR – Jason Pelletier (caution; reckless foul) 23
HAR – JT Noone  (caution; reckless foul) 33
DC – Barry Rice (caution; tactical foul)62
HAR – Tyler Ruthven (ejection; dangerous foul) 75

Lineups:
DCU: Bill Hamid, Stephen King, Devon McTavish, Carey Talley, Barry Rice, Branko Boskovic (Clyde Simms 67), Thabiso Khumalo, Kurt Morsink, Santino Quaranta (Jordan Graye 89), Danny Allsopp, Pablo Hernandez (Jaime Moreno 67)

HAR: Danny Cepero, Dustin Bixler, Anthony Calvano, Tyler Ruthven, Jerritt Thayer, Geoffrey Bloes, Jason Hotchkin, Kai Kasiguran (Mpho Moloi 70), Jason Pelletier (Vince Petrasso 79), JT Noone (Dominic Oppong 83), Sheanon Williams

Referee: Hilario Grajeda
Referee’s Assistants: Jason Cullum, Adam Wienckowski
4th Official: Andrew Chapin
Weather: Clear, 88 degrees
Attendance: 2,089

The defending US Open Cup champion Seattle Sounders returned to the semifinals with a 2-0 victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday night. In front of a sold-out crowd of 4,512 at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash., Nate Jaqua scored a pair of second half goals and Terry Boss kept a clean sheet to preserve the win.

Miguel Montano of the Seattle Sounders battles for the ball against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Montano assisted on both goals in Seattle's 2-0 win. Photo: Seattle Sounders

While the Sounders have officially said that the USL franchise’s history is separate from the MLS team, it’s worth noting that this is the fourth year in a row that a team with the nickname of “Sounders” has reached the final four. Only the Chicago Fire (2003-2006) of Major League Soccer have accomplished that feat, winning the tournament in 2006 and 2003 and falling in the championship game in 2004.

The first goal didn’t arrive until the 50th minute when Seattle’s Miguel Montano fired a shot that hit the crossbar, and Jaqua was at the right place at the right time as he headed the loose ball into the back of the net.

About 12 minutes later, Montano created a second by sending in a cross from the left wing, finding Jaqua whose diving header gave the home team a two-goal cushion.

Boss only had to make two saves as the Sounders defense held the Galaxy to only 10 shots for the entire match.

Seattle will return to the Starfire Complex for the semifinals on September 1 as they will host Chivas USA, who are making their first-ever appearance in the final four. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 p.m. While this will be the first meeting between Seattle and Chivas in the Open Cup as MLS franchises, the USL Sounders eliminated Chivas in 2007 and 2008.

MLSSoccer.com Matchcenter

Scoring Summary:
SEA – Nate Jaqua 2 (Unassisted) 50’
SEA – Nate Jaqua 3 (Miguel Montano 1) 62’

Misconduct Summary:
LA – Alex Cazumba (Yellow Card) 45’
LA – Bryan Jordan (Yellow Card) 70’
SEA – David Estrada (Yellow Card) 89’
LA – Alan Gordon (Yellow Card) 89’

Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Josh Saunders; A.J. DeLaGarza, Leonardo (Sean Franklin 71’), Omar Gonzalez, Eddie Lewis; Chris Klein© (Dema Kovalenko 69’), Bryan Jordan, Jovan Kirovski (Juninho 72’), Alex Cazumba; Clint Mathis, Alan Gordon.

Subs Not Used: Donovan Ricketts, Todd Dunivant, Michael Stephens, Tristan Bowen.

Seattle Sounders FC: Terry Boss; Zach Scott, Jeff Parke, Patrick Ianni, Tyson Wahl; Sanna Nyassi, Nathan Sturgis, Mike Seamon (James Riley 78’), Miguel Montano (Leo Gonzalez 71’); Roger Levesque, Nate Jaqua© (David Estrada 86’).

Subs Not Used: Kasey Keller, Steve Zakuani, Pat Noonan, Fredy Monteo.

The award is voted on by the staff at TheCup.us and a select panel of members of the North American Soccer Reporters (www.soccerreporters.com).

Melia, who is on loan from Real Salt Lake of MLS, made 8 saves and kept a clean sheet for 120 minutes against the Fire, who were playing in front of their home fans at Toyota Park. After a scoreless draw through extra time, Melia saved Krzysztov Krol’s attempt in the penalty kick shootout while Brian McBride and Wilman Conde missed their attempts and the Battery moved on to the quarterfinals 3-0.

Melia received the vast majority of the votes, while Harrisburg City Islanders goalkeeper Danny Cepero, who shut out the New York Red Bulls in a 1-0 extra time win, finished second.

The Battery will play their second straight road game at the Columbus Crew on July 6 in the quarterfinals.

Photo: Jason Mowry | Columbus Crew

The Crew controlled play through the first half, but needed a hard tackle from Charleston’s Stephen Armstrong in the box to capitalize. Armstrong, who played for the Crew in 2005, fouled Steven Lenhart in minute 37, setting up a Renteria penalty kick. Emilio sent the ball past Tim Melia, snapping the goalkeeper’s 187 minute Open Cup scoreless streak. Columbus kept attacking, but were frustrated by missed opportunities through an hour of play.

Lenhart, the hero of the Crew’s Third Round win over Rochester, once again stepped up and delivered at 70′. Emmanuel Ekpo fed the ball to a waiting Duncan Oughton, as Lenhart took the pass and sent it through to seal the game for Columbus. Ekpo got into the action again at 87′ taking a pass from sub Leandre Griffit and taping it to another sub, Eddie Gaven, to drive the last nail into the Battery’s Open Cup season.

Columbus awaits the winner of July 21st’s Harrisburg City Islanders/DC United match. That semifinal match will either be August 31st at home against Harrisburg, or September 1st at DC.

Scoring Summary:

CLB – Emilio Renteria (penalty kick) 38’
CLB – Steven Lenhart (Duncan Oughton) 70’
CLB – Eddie Gaven (Emmanuel Ekpo) 87’

Misconduct Summary:

CLB – Jed Zayner (caution: reckless tackle) 24’
CHA – Ian Fuller (caution: dissent) 37’
CLB – Steven Lenhart (caution: unsporting behavior) 42’
CHA – O’Brian Woodbine (caution: reckless tackle) 64’

Lineups:

Charleston – Tim Melia; O’Brian Woodbine, Colin Falvey, John Wilson, Nigel Marples; Brandon Massie (John Gruenewald, 70’), Alioune Gueye, Ian Fuller (Kevin Jackson, 82’), Stephen Armstrong (Amaury Nunes 72’); Lamar Neagle, Tom Heinemann.

Columbus – Andy Gruenebaum; Jed Zayner, Chad Marshall, Eric Brunner, Shaun Francis; Duncan Oughton, Danny O’Rourke, Dilly Duka (Eddie Gaven 61’), Emilio Renteria (Leandre Griffit 76’), Emmanuel Ekpo; Steven Lenhart (Jason Garey88’).

Referee: Hilario Grajeda
Referee’s Assistants: John Safar, Pierre Saintil Francillon
4th Official: Rizal Millikan
Weather: 90 and sunny
Attendance: 1,847

Justin Braun of Chivas USA scored early and late, and the Goats defeated the Houston Dynamo 3-1 to reach their Open Cup Semifinals. The win was also their first at Houston’s Robertson Stadium.

However, the Dynamo were left in the dust in the second half as well. Ante Jazic split the Houson defense to give Michael Lahoud an easy finish at 65′ to double the Chivas lead. Houston finally managed to strike late, as Joseph Ngwenya rocketed a shot that got a piece of Dominc Oduro and between the posts. Braun ended any hope the Dynamo had of equalizing four minutes later, splitting through defenders and into the net.

Braun got Chivas going early, heading home a Mariano Trujillo pass in the fifth minute. The Goats pressed their advantage throughout the half, however Houston was able to hold their own defensively and kept the game 1-0 at the half. Photo: Houston Dynamo

Chivas USA will await the winner of the Los Angeles Galaxy/Seattle Sounders FC match on July 7.

Scoring Summary:
CHV — Justin Braun (Mariano Trujillo) 5
CHV — Michael Lahoud (Ante Jazic) 65
HOU — Dominic Oduro (Joseph Ngwenya) 86
CHV — Justin Braun (unassisted) 90

Misconduct Summary:
HOU — Eddie Robinson (caution; Reckless Tackle) 54
CHV — Jesus Padilla (caution; Reckless Foul) 68
HOU — Craig Waibel (caution; Reckless Foul) 93+
HOU — Danny Cruz (caution; Dissent) 93+
CHV — Gerson Mayen (caution; Reckless Foul) 93+

Lineups:
Chivas USA — Zach Thornton, Mariano Trujillo, Michael Umana, Yamith Cuesta, Ante Jazic (Carlos Borja 66), Michael Lahoud, Marcelo Saragosa, Ben Zemanski, Blair Gavin (Dario Delgado 72), Jesus Padilla (Gerson Mayen 77), Justin Braun.

Houston Dynamo — Tally Hall, Craig Waibel, Eddie Robinson, Ryan Cochrane (Mike Chabala 35), Francisco Navas Cobo, Adrian Serioux, Richard Mulrooney (Lovel Palmer 74), Joseph Ngwenya, Sammy Appiah (Danny Cruz 56), Dominic Oduro, Cam Weaver.

Referee: Daniel Fitzgerald
Referee’s Assistants: Courtney Jackson; Arthur Odems
4th official: Ismail Elfath
Attendance: 1,097
Weather: Partly Cloudy and 87 degrees

The Red Bulls controlled play early, however Harrisburg was able to counter, though neither side could find the netting. Play evened out and maintained through the first 90, as neither side could make much out of their opportunities.

New York had their best opportunity to win in the first half of extra time, as Vince Petrasso collected a clearance and rocketed it on goal, but the ball hit the right goalpost. Harrisburg sent in a last attempt at 117′ as Kai Kasiguran hit a shot from the left at goal. New York’s Greg Sutton saved the shot, Geoff Bloes collected the rebound and forced another Dawson save, but the clearance was intercepted by the City Islanders’ Jason Pelletier. He fed the ball back to Bloes, who got the ball to Oppong to slide in on the right side to clinch the game. The goal ties Oppong with Bloes for the Open Cup team lead at 2, also the most by any players still active in the Quarterfinals.

Harrisburg will head to the capital to play DC United in the Quarterfinals. The game will take place on July 21, and will be the last game in the round.

SCORING:
HAR- Oppong (Bloes) 117′

DISCIPLINE:
NY- Chinn 11′ (yellow, Reckless foul)

SUBSTITUTIONS:
HAR- Petrasso for Jafta, 65′
NY- Tchani for Agudelo, 66′
NY- da Luz for Garcia, 76′
HAR- Oppong for Hotchkin, 80′
NY- Ream for Nielsen, 80′
HAR-Kasiguran for Williams, 101′