The Seattle Sounders fielded a young but talented lineup against a tough Louisville City FC who played up a division but looked equal on the field. The night was a tale of two games, with 120 minutes of attacking action followed by the Andy Thomas show, Seattle’s goalkeeper who saved three penalties and scored the game winner himself, sending the Sounders into the Round of 16.
While the Sounders had a core of MLS veterans controlling the center of the pitch, Louisville City was able to work the channels and create an open, back and forth game. The match started fast, with Georgi Minoungou getting in behind for the Sounders in the first minute, and continued with both teams pressing the back lines all night.
Minoungou, who just made his debut for the Sounders last week, showed his skill and speed as a promising prospect on the wing. He was a focal point of the attack, with Sounders midfielder Danny Leyva noting after the game that they planned to go over the top of Louisville’s aggressive pivot and target Minoungou. He matched up on the same side as Wilson Harris of Louisville City who pushed back, connecting clever passes and dribbling through the Sounders lines in tight spaces.
Seattle native Paul Rothrock broke the game open in the 41st minute, scoring his third US Open Cup goal and first in all competitions this year. Minoungou had the assist, showing composure and picking out a difficult pass.
Coming out of halftime the Sounders midfield duo of Danny Leyva and Josh Atencio started to take over the game, linking possession and controlling the flow. After Sounders forward Danny Musovski earned a free kick 40 yards out in the 61st minute, Leyva hit an inch perfect ball that Musovski headed home to double their lead. Leyva was a clear leader on the field, playing a part in both goals and scoring a penalty, as well as directing the attack and moving guys into position throughout the night.
Louisville City pushed back immediately after the second goal, throwing numbers forward. Minutes later a Sounders handball in the box earned them a penalty, and Defender Sean Totsch calmly chipped it past Sounders GK Andrew Thomas.
Both teams refused to sit back, and in the 86th minute Louisville City halftime sub Jorge Gonzalez pounded home a well-earned rebound to send the game into extra time.
Neither team was able to break through in extra time as tired legs showed through, and the game felt destined for penalties. It ultimately went eight rounds, and after saving three penalties Sounders netminder Thomas called his own number. “I wanted to finish it myself”, he said after the game, noting that he felt he should have saved even more shots and the game should have already been over. “We prepare for all eventualities, and I was prepared for this.” he said. Coach Schmetzer added praise saying “We wanted him to take that kick, we wanted him to. He kicks the ball really hard.”
The Sounders hope this win will spark another US Open Cup run. After winning the tournament four of their first six years in MLS, the team has had a disappointing run of early exits recently. Seattle entered the 109th edition of the tournament having been “one-and-done” in four of the last five years and haven’t reached the Quarterfinals since 2016. The four-time champs will host Phoenix Rising FC in the next round the week of May 21-22.