Complete U.S. Open Cup Coverage

Derek Brown

2024 US Open Cup Round 5: Kalani Kossa-Rienzi’s late winner sends Seattle Sounders past Phoenix Rising, back to Quarterfinals

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Kalani Kossa-Rienzi of the Seattle Sounders celebrates after scoring the go-ahead goal against Phoenix Rising FC in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Mike Fiechtner -Sounders FC Communications
Kalani Kossa-Rienzi of the Seattle Sounders celebrates after scoring the go-ahead goal against Phoenix Rising FC in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Mike Fiechtner -Sounders FC Communications

The Seattle Sounders FC hosted Phoenix Rising FC in a Round of 16 match at Starfire Sports Complex on Wednesday night. Starfire, in Tukwila, Wash., continues to be a fortress for Seattle as the four-time Open Cup champions came back in the second half to beat the defending USL Championship title holders, 2-1.

The Sounders have now lost just once in 25 all-time games at Starfire (22-1-2) and will advance to the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2016.  

Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer rotated his squad heavily, with only two normal starters in the game and a bench mostly composed of call-ups from the Sounders’ USL affiliate Tacoma Defiance. Working through a stretch of eight games in 24 days, Schmetzer elected to dig deep into the roster and trust a number of players with less first team experience.

Phoenix took advantage, testing the Sounders throughout the match and looking like the better team for long stretches. However the Sounders flipped the script in the second half as Kalani Kossa-Rienzi scored a late winner to advance.

The Sounders looked comfortable to start the match at home, holding possession and often maintaining passing sequences deep in Phoenix’s half. Sounders midfielder Dany Leyva almost started the game with a bang, nearly scoring off a 5th minute corner, smashing it off the crossbar. However Phoenix fielded a very strong lineup and remained compact, absorbing the pressure and releasing forward Remi Cabral on a number of runs in behind the Sounders back line. Their quality showed through after 15 minutes, with a long stretch of possession leading to a number of opportunities. 

Despite Phoenix controlling the game, Sounders forward Danny Musovski got in behind twice in the 41st minute and should have scored to take the lead. Phoenix made the Sounders pay for their misses and their pressure paid off, with Sounders standout midfielder from the last round Dany Levya committing a penalty just before halftime.

Cabral took advantage and sent last round’s penalty hero Andrew Thomas the wrong way to take the lead. Cabral is the second in his family to score against the Sounders this year, with his twin brother Kevin Cabral scoring for the Rapids against the Sounders earlier this year in MLS play.

Coming out of halftime the tides began to turn in the Sounders favor, and in the 60th minute Alex Roldan subbed in and looked to take over the game. In the 67th minute he hit a strike from well outside the box that took a deflection and then hit a hand in the box. He stepped up and buried the penalty past a diving Patrick Rakovsky, who guessed the right way but couldn’t push the ball around the post.

The game looked destined for extra time, until Tacoma Defiance call-up Kalani Kossa-Rienzi won the game for the Sounders with a skillful 88th minute finish. He had shifted forward a line just minutes before after playing at right back the entire game, with Sounders coach Schmetzer saying “that was something we saw from him in preseason” and “It made sense for us to move a player like that with attacking ability forward at that point.”

Kossa-Rienzi took a flicked ball from Danny Musovski off his chest with his back to goal, took two touches laterally past three defenders, and wrapped his foot around the ball to send it into the top corner. Almost more impressive than the touch was his handspring/backflip goal celebration, reminding many in the Starfire Stadium crowd of Sounders legend Obafemi Martins.

After winning the US Open Cup four of their first six years as an MLS team (2009-2011, 2014), this is the furthest the Sounders have advanced in eight years. They’ll look to capitalize on the opportunity on the road against the Sacramento Republic in the next round.

2024 US Open Cup Round 4: Seattle Sounders hold off upset-minded Louisville City with dramatic PK shootout win

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Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Andy Thomas celebrates during a PK shootout vs. Louisville City in the Fourth Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Mike Fiechtner - Sounders FC Communications
Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Andy Thomas celebrates during a PK shootout vs. Louisville City in the Fourth Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Mike Fiechtner – Sounders FC Communications

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.

Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Andy Thomas makes a save during a PK shootout vs. Louisville City in the Fourth Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Mike Fiechtner - Sounders FC Communications
Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Andy Thomas makes a save during a PK shootout vs. Louisville City in the Fourth Round of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Mike Fiechtner – Sounders FC Communications

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.

2022 US Open Cup Round 4: San Jose Earthquakes oust CONCACAF champ Seattle Sounders in lengthy PK shootout

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The San Jose Earthquakes celebrate after defeating the Seattle Sounders 10-9 in a PK shootout (after a 2-2 draw) in the Fourth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes celebrate after defeating the Seattle Sounders 10-9 in a PK shootout (after a 2-2 draw) in the Fourth Round of the 2022 US Open Cup. Photo: San Jose Earthquakes

One week removed from winning the CONCACAF Champions League and cementing themselves as the winningest tournament team in MLS history, the Seattle Sounders kicked off another tournament in a familiar setting at their home training facility, Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash. The Sounders won three straight and four of six US Open Cups from 2009 – 2014 playing almost all of their games at the facility just south of Seattle, and the game was a welcome return for staff and fans alike.

However, since their fourth US Open Cup title in 2014, they have only reached the Quarterfinals once in the last six tournaments.

On the flip side, the San Jose Earthquakes have struggled this year after making a coaching change and winning just two of their first 10 league games. Like the Sounders, they also have stuggled in the Open Cup. Aside from a run to the Semifinals in 2017, San Jose has not won multiple tournament games in a single tournament in a decade.

So the Earthquakes came into Wednesday night’s match as the underdogs and when they let a 2-0 halftime deficit slip away, they regrouped and forced a penalty kick shootout. In the shootout, the two teams went back and forth into the 11th round where the goalkeepers ended up deciding the game. Seattle’s Stefan Cleveland missed his attempt and Matt Bersano made his to give San Jose a 10-9 win.

It was just the fourth PK shootout of the Modern Era to go 11 rounds or more.

It was just the second time that San Jose advanced in an Open Cup game in the state of Washington. The last time they tasted victory in Washington state was an extra time win over the Sounders in 2002 when Seattle was a member off the USL’s A-League (Div. 2 pro).

Both the Sounders and the Quakes elected to test the depth and youth of their squads, and it showed with a hectic back and forth game. San Jose jumped out to a 2-0 lead just after the halftime break, but the crowd picked up the intensity and the Sounders were able to steal the momentum and tie things up.

Early on, San Jose largely owned the possession with the Sounders looking to hit them on the break. In the 9th minute, Sounders centerback Abdoulaye Cissoko was called for a penalty on a decision the Sounders heavily protested, but ultimately Jack Skahan sent Stefan Cleveland the wrong way and slotted it home for a 1-0 lead.

Shortly after the halftime break San Jose doubled their lead as Cade Cowell powered through the right channel and forced the ball home through Cleveland’s legs.

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The Sounders continued to be very aggressive on the break and up the wings, with Cleveland often playing his goal kicks to his wing backs before most of the field was ready. They quickly pulled a goal back through a curling left footed free kick from Jimmy Medranda, that Bersano dove to his left to try to save, but only got a piece of it before it ended up in the upper corner of the goal.

The momentum continued in the 77th minute, veteran Fredy Montero would tie the game with his first Open Cup goal since 2012. A ball was played across the face of goal in the air and Montero was at the far post and headed it past Bersano at close range to score his eighth career goal in the tournament, breaking a tie with Nate Jaqua for the club’s all-time leader in Seattle’s MLS era (2009-present).

In the penalty kick shootout, the Sounders went first and in San Jose’s half of the second frame, Jackson Yueill had his attempt saved after Cleveland dove to his right. Seattle were unable to take advantage of the miss as the next attempt failed when Leo Chu missed high.

The teams went back and forth all the way until the 11th round when the goalkeepers were called upon to take spot kicks. Cleveland elected to hit the ball low but Bersano made the save to his left. The goalies switched spots and Bersano buried it into the left side of the goal to give the Earthquakes their first shootout win since 2015 (vs. Sacramento Republic).

San Jose will await the results of Thursday night’s draw to determine who they will play in the Round of 16.

2019 US Open Cup Round 4: Brian Fernandez brace lifts Portland Timbers over rival Seattle Sounders

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Portland Timbers goalkeeper Steve Clark clears the ball against the Seattle Sounders in a Fourth Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Mike Fiechtner, Sounders FC Communications
Portland Timbers goalkeeper Steve Clark clears the ball against the Seattle Sounders in a Fourth Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Mike Fiechtner, Sounders FC Communications

With the kickoff temperature sitting at 90 degrees and the Seattle Sounders debuting a new home for their Open Cup games, the leadup to Wednesday’s Lamar Hunt US Open Cup game against the Portland Timbers didn’t feel like your typical rainy Cascadia Derby. The sellout crowd of 6,280 at Cheney Stadium and a Timbers goal by Brian Fernández in the sixth minute brought proceedings to the level of intensity we’re used to seeing.

With the sun coming through the left-field bleachers of the converted baseball stadium, the players had a tough time even seeing the ball, but the hard fouls typical of a game between the Sounders and rival Portland Timbers arrived in a hurry. With neither team pressing high in the heat, Portland was content to play long balls through their diamond midfield or over the top, trying to get the prolific Fernández on the ball. Seattle took advantage of the space in the middle third and overloaded the wings, slipping forward Will Bruin in behind and generating a number of crosses. Seattle tied the game just before halftime from a free kick, but a textbook counter through the middle early in the second half ended in Fernández’s second goal and ultimately gave the Timbers the 2-1 win.

It began with a poked ball split Seattle’s midfield line and found Fernández at the top of the box in the sixth minute. Having already forced Seattle goalkeeper Bryan Meredith to tip a previous shot over the bar, Fernández cut inside on his left, turned Seattle centerback Jonathan Campbell to create a yard of space, and coolly deposited the ball in the bottom corner. Since Fernández joined the team in May, reports from Timbers camp indicate that he can’t stop scoring goals in practice, and the former Liga MX scorer (18 goals in 32 appearances with Necaxa) didn’t disappoint in his US Open Cup debut.

After going down early, Seattle controlled the tempo for most of the first half. Making his first start for the Sounders – in his second appearance – 16-year old Danny Leyva paired with Alex Roldan to lock down the Timbers’ Diego Valeri in the middle, often winning one-on-ones in the center circle. LLeyva said the experience he’s gained in four months – to the day, the last time he’d faced the talented Timbers midfield in a preseason match – has allowed him to manage the game while behind much better. Out wide, Kelvin Leerdam constantly found space for the Sounders to slip Will Bruin in behind or hit crosses into the box. Seattle outshot the Timbers 11-4 in the first half, and the pressure finally paid off in the 44th minute, when a deflected Victor Rodriguez free kick sent goalkeeper Steve Clark the wrong way and nestled into the back of the net.

The tie would not last long coming out of the break as the Sounders got caught pushing numbers forward, looking for the go-ahead goal, and Portland made them pay. A quick ball from midfielder Sebastian Blanco played Valeri into space, and the Argentine sent forward Jeremy Ebobisse down the left wing. Fernandez had Campbell beat for pace 40 yards out, and tapped home Ebobisse’s cross for his second goal of the game and the eventual game winner. It was a learning moment for the young Sounders midfield, and a look into the many ways Fernandez seems to have a nose for goal-scoring opportunities.

Players from the Portlan Timbers (left) and the Seattle Sounders battle for the ball in a Fourth Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Mike Fiechtner Sounders FC Communications
Players from the Portlan Timbers (left) and the Seattle Sounders battle for the ball in a Fourth Round match in the 2019 US Open Cup. Photo: Mike Fiechtner Sounders FC Communications

Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer’s reaction to falling behind was to bring on Henry Wingo, who was tasked with one job.

“Create chances, go 1-v-1,” Wingo said. “It was a hot day, they were definitely tired so [Schmetzer[ told me to take advantage of their left back and I thought I was able to do that.”

Wingo’s addition in the 58th minute allowed the Sounders to stretch the field and he got in behind Zarek Valentine on a number of occasions, but ultimately no one could turn home his crosses.

The Sounders would continue to press for the equalizer, and eventually earned a penalty on a Mabiala handball in the 78th minute. Victor Rodriguez had Clark well-beaten, but smashed the shot off the crossbar. Rodriguez apologized to his teammates after the game, but it was just one of many chances the Sounders had to get themselves back into the game, and they were unable to convert any of them.

Clark made a great reaction save of a Wingo volley in the 88th minute, and the Timbers held on to give the Sounders only their second home loss in the US Open Cup in the club’s MLS history (fourth home loss in club history). This also gives the four-time champions from Seattle the club’s first three-game tournament losing streak since 2001.

In the 8th Open Cup meeting between these two rivals (the most common matchup of any pair of teams in the Modern Era), it was the Timbers who came out on top, as they continue to close the gape on the all-time series. The Sounders now lead the all-time series 4-3-1 (1-0 PKs).

For the Timbers, they advance to the Round of 16 for the second year in a row, where they will host the Los Angeles Galaxy on June 19. The winner of that game will reach the Quarterfinals where they will travel to face the winner of Los Angeles FC and the San Jose Earthquakes.

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