Sacramento Republic FC played host to Seattle Sounders FC Tuesday night at Heart Health Park in the Quarterfinals of the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Sacramento earned their way to the round of eight by upsetting the San Jose Earthquakes 4-3 in extra time, while the Sounders punched their ticket by way of a 2-1 win over Phoenix Rising FC.
Despite a valiant second half from Republic FC in front of their home fans, first half goals from Sounders midfielder Josh Atencio and forward Jordan Morris proved to be enough to lift the visitors to a 2-1 road victory. With the win, the four-time Open Cup champions earned their first trip to the Semifinals since 2014.
“The guys all fought, they stuck together and it was a hard game,” said Seattle Sounders FC manager Brian Schmetzer. “They scored a goal early in the second half that gave them life, and credit Mark {Briggs} and his group for never quitting. I was happy with the performance because {we} overcame some adversity. {We’re} coming together as a group and that wasn’t an easy game. USL teams’ levels are growing higher and higher as their league progresses.”
Sounders FC got on the board first, when in the 16th minute, Reed Baker-Whiting crossed a ball from the left side that appeared to initially to be headed away by the Republic, but it found Josh Atencio at the top of the box, whose volley ricocheted off a Republic defender and into the back of the net to give the visitors an early 1-0 advantage.
“I was really eager to get out here today and put in a performance,” said Atencio. “We’re treating {the Open Cup} as a big deal, and it is. We knew we were going to have to get one early to give us momentum and also weather their storm, because we knew they were to come at us. So I felt it helped us {getting the early goal} from a mental standpoint knowing we had to play the rest of the game with that lead, and I think we did a good job.”
Republic would have their best chance in the first half when Cristian Parano’s left-footed shot just went wide of the far post following a courageous run up the left flank.
Sounders FC would double their lead in the 31st minute when Republic FC goalkeeper Danny Vitiello was caught too far out of the box following a tremendous through ball from Baker-Whiting. Morris collected the ball, made a clever move around Vitiello’s left and was able to tap it into a wide open net, making it 2-0.
Republic FC would pull one back in the 49th minute when halftime substitute Sebastian Herrera powerfully headed Jack Gurr’s corner kick to make it 2-1. The goal gave the home side and its fans some life and they continued to put pressure on Seattle for the remainder of the game.
VItiello did his best to keep his team in the match, making a couple of incredible saves down the stretch to keep it at a goal deficit. Republic FC thought they had tied the match in the 87th minute, but forward Trevor Amann was ruled offside and the goal did not stand. In the end, Seattle grinded out an impressive road victory.
With the win, Seattle returns to the Semifinals of the Open Cup for the first time since 2014, when they last won the title. They are seeking to become the first team from the Modern Era (1995-present) to win five Open Cup titles. In the 109-year history of the tournament, only three times have ever lifted the trophy five times (Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC, Fall River Marksmen/New Bedford Whalers)
Seattle will host the winner of Los Angeles FC and New Mexico United, which kicks off Wednesday night at 11 p.m. ET.
Republic FC return to USL league play and can hold their heads high following yet another solid Open Cup run, with some memorable moments along the way.