| 2009 US Open Cup Semifinals (Home team listed on right) |
| July 21 Rochester Rhinos 1:2 DC United Houston Dynamo 1:2 (aet) Seattle Sounders FC Player of the Round: Sebastien Le Toux (SEA) Notable matches in Semifinal history Things you should know about the Semifinals |
The two home teams held serve in the 2009 Semifinals with DC United advancing to their fourth Open Cup Final, while the Seattle Sounders will attempt to become the first MLS expansion team to win the title since the Chicago Fire did it in 1998.
Jamie Moreno put United up 1-0 by adding to his Open Cup goalscoring total with a penalty kick in the 41st minute, his 12th all-time goal, tying him for the most in the Professional Era (1995-present). Rochester’s Tai Atieno tied it up in the 68th minute, but it was Boyzzz Khumalo who kept United’s hopes alive for a second straight tournament championship with a goal in the 82nd minute. DC will attempt to become the first team to repeat as champions since 1983 when the New York Pancyprian Freedoms won back-to-back titles. The trip to the Final is even more impressive for the defending champs, considering they had to win two qualifying games just to get into the tournament.
The Seattle Sounders advanced to the Final in dramatic fashion. Houston’s Ade Akinbiyi put the Dynamo up in the 32nd minute, but the home team wasn’t able to equalize until the 89th minute when Nate Jaqua sent the game into extra time. With all the momentum and the home crowd behind them at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash., Stephen King scored what would prove to be the game-winner in the 95th minute on an assist from Sebastien Le Toux and the club would hold on to the 2-1 lead throughout extra time, despite defender Jhon Hurtado being sent off in the 110th minute. The Sounders become the first Seattle-based team to reach the Open Cup Final since the Mitre Eagles did it in 1987.
DC United will host the championship game on September 2 at RFK Stadium in Washington DC.