Seattle Sounders FC forward Sebastien Le Toux is the TheCup.us Player of the Round for the Semifinal round of the tournament.
Sebastien Le Toux of the Seattle Sounders dribbles against the Portland Timbers in the Third Round.Le Toux, who was the leading scorer in the U.S. Open Cup in 2007 and 2008, was involved in both Sounders goals in their 2-1 extra-time victory over the Houston Dynamo on July 21 in Tukwila, Wash.
The two home teams held serve in the 2009 Semifinals with D.C. 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).
The weather was perfect for soccer in Tukwila for the Seattle Sounders’ Semifinal Open Cup match against MLS Western Conference rivals Houston Dynamo. The two teams had met this past week in league play with Seattle coming out on top 2-1 victors and in front of a sold-out crowd of Sounders faithful at the Starfire Sports Complex, they repeated the feat but needed extra time to do it.
It was Houston who struck first with an Ade Akinbiyi strike after 32 minutes of play. Houston looked strong early despite having few regulars and tried to make the most of their goal by eating up the clock. Play was rough with Houston unwilling to go down twice in one week while the Sounders tried to breach the Open Cup Semifinal barrier.
Defending US Open Cup champion DC United, who had to qualify just to get into the 2009 tournament, is one win away from defending their title after a 2-1 Semifinal victory over the Rochester Rhinos. Boyzzz Khumalo’s 82nd minute goal spoiled the Rhinos’ attempt to return to the Open Cup Final for the first time since their historic title run in 1999 and earned DC a chance to win their second straight championship on their home field.
DC United will host the Seattle Sounders at RFK Stadium on September 2. For United it is their fourth Final appearance and will host the championship game for the third time. In the two previous title games at RFK, they have won both of them (1996, 2008).
