QUARTERFINAL ROUND
Los Angeles Galaxy at Seattle Sounders
Starfire Sports Stadium – Tukwila, Wash.
July 13 – 10:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: SoundersFC.com (Video)
Seattle Sounders
Third Round: Kitsap Pumas (PDL) 1:2 Seattle Sounders (MLS)
Mike Fucito put the Sounders up two goals, but the finish was not easy as the PDL side fought back with a goal from former number one MLS draft pick Nik Besagno. Recap [+]
How They Qualified: Automatic entrant from top six MLS finish in 2010.
This Month in MLS: There were no fireworks on the Fourth of July as the Sounders played to a scoreless draw in Los Angeles against the Galaxy. In the local derby match Sunday in Portland, the Sounders rallied twice from own goals thanks to Fredy Montero, before Osvaldo Alonso netted the winner from the penalty spot for a 3-2 victory.
Last Five: W-D-W-W-W | Season Record: 9-4-8 (5-2-3 Home), Second in Western Conference, Second Overall.
Open Cup History: Sounders FC set out to become a force in the Open Cup during their 2009 inaugural year, and did just that. They became the first expansion team since Chicago Fire in 1998 to take the Cup, winning 2-1 against DC United. They then turned around and made more history in 2010, as they became the first team since the New York Pancyprian Freedoms in 1982 and 1983 to win back-to-back Open Cups. Their victims this time were the Columbus Crew, the final score 2-1 in front of the largest Final crowd ever. Used to going against MLS teams, this will be the second consecutive year Seattle and Los Angeles have played in the Open Cup, with Seattle notching a 2-0 win last year at Starfire.
PRO ERA RECORDS: 8-0-1 (1-0 in PKs) overall | 6-0-0 vs. MLS Teams | 1-0-0 vs. LA (2010 Q-Finals – SEA won 2-0)
Los Angeles Galaxy
Third Round: Los Angeles Blues (USL Pro) 1:2 Los Angeles Galaxy (MLS)
Minus its star players, the Galaxy found themselves trailing to the lower division side just after the hour mark before Omar Gonzalez made his mark with a goal in the 75th minute to level the match. He then set up Mike Magee for the game-winner six minutes later. Recap [+]
How They Qualified: Automatic entrant from top six MLS finish in 2010.
This Month in MLS: There were no fireworks on the Fourth of July as the Galaxy returned to league, finishing in a scoreless draw at home against the Sounders. They rebounded Saturday at the Home Depot Center with a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire. David Beckham found Landon Donovan for the opener in the 58th. And then after Chicago had leveled he tallied on his own in the 65th for the win.
Last Five: W-D-D-W-D | Season Record: 10-2-9 (5-2-4 Away), first in Western Conference, first Overall.
Open Cup History: The Galaxy have had a considerable amount of success in the Open Cup, winning two championships in 2001 and 2005, as well as finishing as runners-up in 2002 and 2006. Since falling short to the Chicago Fire in the 2006 Final, the Galaxy were upset by the Richmond Kickers (3rd Division) and then failed to qualify the next two years. In 2010, they returned to the tournament where they beat AC St. Louis of the NASL (2nd Division) before losing to eventual champion Seattle Sounders FC in the Quarterfinals.
PRO ERA RECORD: 22-8-1 (1-0 in PKs) overall | 10-6-1 (1-0 in PKs) vs. MLS teams | 0-1-0 vs. Seattle (2010 Quarterfinals, 2-0)
Head to Head 2011
Los Angeles and Seattle opened their seasons on March 15 at Qwest (now CenturyLink) Field, with the Galaxy earning a 1-0 win. The return trip was played to a scoreless draw on Independence Day.
2011 US Open Cup Semifinal Scenarios
FC Dallas at Seattle Sounders
10:00 pm – Starfire Sports Stadium; Tukwila, Wash.
OR
Los Angeles Galaxy at FC Dallas
9:00 pm – Pizza Hut Park; Frisco, Texas