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Seattle Sounders FC

2024 US Open Cup Semifinals Preview: Four history-seeking clubs battle for trip to Final

August 26, 2024 by Chuck Nolan Jr.

Photo by Grace Ogata-Beutler | Graphic by Phil Naegely

The 109th edition of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup is down to the final four teams, all of them chasing history. Indy Eleven, the last lower division team left in the competition, are not only seeking to be just the second USL team to lift the trophy, but the state of Indiana has never had a team reach the championship game. They will travel to face Sporting Kansas City on Tuesday who are trying to win a record-tying fifth US Open Cup title.

UPDATE: Sporting KC works late to shutout Indy Eleven, advance to USOC Final

Another team looking to join the five-timers club is the Seattle Sounders FC and they will host Los Angeles FC, who are trying to bring the trophy back to the City of Angels for the first time since 2005. That game will take place on Wednesday.

The Semifinal winners are scheduled to face off in the US Open Cup Final on Sept. 25.

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TheCup.us will have reporters at both Semifinal games and will be providing live updates on X (Twitter), @USOpenCup.

Both matches will be broadcast live on Apple TV with links provided below.

A full round preview can be found below with video links and detailed info on each team’s 2024 US Open Cup run and history throughout the years.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27

Indy Eleven (USL-C) 
vs.
Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, KS
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO (Apple TV)

To say there is plenty on the line for both Sporting Kansas City and Indy Eleven is an understatement. For SKC, not only is there a chance for a season-saving trophy in the US Open Cup Final, but there’s also a chance to write their name in the record book with some of the greatest clubs in US Soccer history. Lifting the trophy this year would be a fifth tournament title. Only three clubs in the 109-year history of the tournament have won the Cup five times, Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC, and Fall River Marksmen/New Bedford Whalers. 

For Indy, not only could they become the first Indiana-based club to ever win the tournament, but they would be just the second lower division club since 1996 to lift the trophy. But on top of that, just reaching the Open Cup Final could potentially send them to next year’s CONCACAF Champions Cup. Should Los Angeles FC win their US Open Cup Semifinal over the Seattle Sounders, Indy Eleven would get the CONCACAF Champions Cup spot allocated to the Open Cup winner, as LAFC has already qualified as a finalist in this year’s Leagues Cup.

It would mark the first time a USL team would participate in the CONCACAF Champions Cup since the Puerto Rico Islanders did so from 2008-2009 to 2010-2011. The USL First Division Islanders qualified each time by participating in the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship. CF Montreal, known then as the Montreal Impact, also qualified for the 2008/09 CONCACAF Champions Cup by winning the inaugural Canadian Championship.

Indy Eleven has already won the tournament’s $25,000 prize money for being the Second Division team to advance the furthest in the competition.

Sporting Kansas City celebrates after defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the 2017 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Bob Larson
Sporting Kansas City celebrates after defeating the New York Red Bulls 2-1 in the 2017 US Open Cup Final. Photo: Bob Larson

Heading into the Open Cup Quarterfinal, Sporting were languishing near the bottom of the MLS Western Conference. However, since the Quarterfinal win over FC Dallas, SKC have gone 2-1-1 in league play, good enough to pull them to within seven points of the playoff line. An early elimination in the Leagues Cup no doubt provided a much-needed rest and may have allowed the club to regroup. William Agada currently leads Kansas City with nine goals, followed by Erik Thommy (5), Alan Pulido (4) and Johnny Russell (4). Agada has four goals in SKC’s last five MLS games. Memo Rodriguez leads the team with six assists, with Pulido and Russell adding five each. 

Benjamin Ofeimu of Indy Eleven celebrates after scoring a goal against Detroit City FC in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Schlotzhauer - Indy Eleven
Benjamin Ofeimu of Indy Eleven celebrates after scoring a goal against Detroit City FC in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Matt Schlotzhauer – Indy Eleven

After starting the season 1-1-4, Indy Eleven caught fire with a nine-game unbeaten streak. Indy have since cooled off, going 1-4-1 in league play, including three losses in their last four games.

In the middle of all this was the off the field drama with the mayor of Indianapolis meeting with MLS Commissioner Don Garber to discuss a future expansion team.

Powering Indy’s offence is Jack Blake with eight goals, followed by Augustine Williams and Sebastian Guenzatti with five each. Aedan Stanley is tops in assists with seven. Williams also has a shot at the Open Cup goalscoring lead, his three goals leaves him just one behind the leaders.

Indy Eleven We Want The Cup Shirt
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OPEN CUP PEDIGREE

Initially known as the Kansas City Wiz, then the Kansas City Wizards, and now Sporting Kansas City, along with the Chicago Fire and Seattle Sounders, are on the cusp of joining Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC and the Fall River Marksmen as five-time Open Cup champions. After a slow first few years, KC hit their stride in the Open Cup, and since 2002 they’ve never gone more than two years between reaching at least the Quarterfinals. Sporting is also 8-2-3 (1-2 PKs) against Division 2 opponents, with their last outright loss coming to the Minnesota Thunder in the 2005 Quarterfinals. SKC are on a nine-game Open Cup home winning streak, and a 15-game home unbeaten streak going back to 2014. KC’s last Open Cup home loss was a 3-1 defeat by the Portland Timbers in the 2014 Fifth Round. It’s the second longest home unbeaten streak of the Modern Era (1995-present), behind Seattle Sounders FC and the Chicago Fire FC, who both hold the record at 19.

Indy Eleven does not have much Open Cup history to speak of. Making their first appearance in 2014, the club had never advanced to a third game before this year. Indy have faced MLS opposition in the Open Cup just three times: a 2-1 extra time loss to Columbus in 2014, a penalty kick elimination by the Chicago Fire in 2016, and a 1-0 loss to Columbus last year. Indy also has just one road win in seven games, a 1-0 victory over Chicago Fire FC II (MLS NEXT Pro) in this year’s Third Round.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Indy Eleven

Third Round >> Indy Eleven 1:0 Chicago Fire II (MLS NEXT Pro)

Indy Eleven opened its 2024 tournament with a 1-0 win over Chicago Fire II of MLS NEXT Pro. Douglas Martinez scored the lone goal in the 6th minute, and goalkeeper Yannik Oettl (who was a finalist for TheCup.us Player of the Round) kept Chicago out of his goal with 11 saves from 22 shots faced. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

Fourth Round >> Indy Eleven 2:0 San Antonio FC (USL Championship)

Before the Fourth Round, news broke that the city of Indianapolis had been in conversations with Major League Soccer (MLS) about bringing an expansion franchise to the market. This caused plans for “Eleven Park”, a brand new 20,000-seat stadium for the USL side to be halted while the city discussed details of a different plan, tailored to a potential new MLS club with an unnamed group of investors. Despite the drama, Indy Eleven proceeded to eliminate San Antonio FC 2-0 on the strength of goals from Augustine Williams and Jack Blake in the first ten minutes. 

Fifth Round >> Indy Eleven 3:0 Detroit City FC (USL Championship)

Indy Eleven’s Round of 16 match against Detroit City FC looked to be their toughest hurdle yet, but it turned out to be the opposite. A 14th minute own goal from DCFC was followed in the first half by scores from Augustine Williams and Ben Ofeimu which gave Indy a 3-0 lead at the half. Despite being outshot 17-6, Indy goalkeeper Hunter Sulte made seven saves to keep Detroit off the board and preserve a third straight shutout win giving Indy Eleven their first quarterfinal appearance in club history. It also marked the first time that a team from Indiana has reached the Quarterfinals since the Indianapolis Inferno did it in 1992. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

Quarterfinals >> Indy Eleven 2:1 Atlanta United FC (MLS)

Facing their first MLS opponent in this year’s tournament, Indy Eleven traveled to Kinnesaw, Ga. to face Atlanta United FC. Augustine Williams got Indy started on the right foot in the 31st minute and slotted home a pass from Douglas Martinez from outside the penalty area. As Indy continued to hold on to their slim lead, Atlanta’s Dax McCarthy accidentally padded that lead by deflecting a pass into his own net in the 83rd minute. Nick Firmino scored for Atlanta in second half stoppage time to make the final minute a bit more exciting, but Indy held on for the win. Augustine Williams was voted TheCup.us’s Player of the Round for his performance. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

SPORTING KANSAS CITY

Fourth Round >> Sporting Kansas City 2:1 (AET) Union Omaha (USL League One)

In their rematch from the 2022 Quarterfinals, Sporting Kansas City narrowly avoided a penalty shootout with Union Omaha, snatching a 2-1 win at the end of extra time. Omaha held a 1-0 lead at halftime, but Marinos Tzionis equalized for SKC just after the break. The teams battled through over 70 more minutes of scoreless play and just as it looked like a penalty shootout was necessary, Alan Pulido snuck a shot by Omaha goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu from the top of the penalty area to give Sporting the win. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

Fifth Round >> Sporting Kansas City 4:0 FC Tulsa (USL Championship)

In the Round of 16, KC dominated FC Tulsa 4-0 at home. Felipe Hernández scored on both sides of halftime and Stephen Afrifa and Marinos Tzionis provided the other goals as Sporting outshot Tulsa 34-3. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

Quarterfinals >> Sporting Kansas City 2:1 (AET) FC Dallas (MLS)

Looking to go 6-0 in the Open Cup against FC Dallas, SKC hosted their MLS rivals where they hadn’t lost an Open Cup game in 14 tries. After 51 minutes of scoreless play, thunderstorms rolled into the area causing the match to pause for almost an hour and a half due to lightning. When the game finally resumed, most of the 12,943 fans in attendance were chased away. SKC’s Willy Agada opened the scoring in the 77th minute, and to make the night just a bit longer, Petar Musa equalized for FC Dallas with three minutes remaining. Finally, at 12:32 a.m. local time, Dany Rosero headed home a Johnny Russell corner kick for a 2-1 lead SKC would not give up. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

Kansas City in the Semifinals

SKC are making the seventh trip to the Semifinals (2002, 2004, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2022), advancing to the Final in the middle four. Only nine teams in the history of the tournament have more Semifinal appearances than Sporting.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

2002: In their first Open Cup Semifinal, the Kansas City Wizards dropped a 3-2 golden goal decision to the Columbus Crew. KC jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to a Chad McCarty own goal (2′) and a Chris Brown goal in the 62nd minute. Columbus came back with John Wilmar Perez tying the game in the 90th minute, then winning it in the 108th minute.

2004: KC’’s run to the first of four Open Cup titles began in 2004, Igor Simutenkov’s 45th minute penalty was all the Wizards needed to beat the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0. Simutenkov would also score an extra time golden goal a month later to give KC their first Open Cup title.

2012: With their name changed to Sporting Kansas City, SKC would beat the Philadelphia Union 2-0. Jacob Peterson’s 65th minute goal was doubled by Graham Zusi’s stoppage time score.

Benny Feilhaber of Sporting KC celebrates after scoring a goal against Real Salt Lake in the Semifinals of the 2015 US Open Cup. Photo: Sporting KC

2015: SKC’s third Open Cup championship was helped by a 3-1 triumph over Real Salt Lake. Soni Mustivar put SKC level at 1-1 in the first half, and Benny Feilhaber (80’) and Krisztián Nemeth (85’) scored five minutes apart to seal the win.

2017: Title #4 was made possible by a Semifinal shootout win over the San Jose Earthquakes. In the 32nd minute Diego Rubio countered San Jose’s opening goal. With no scoring the rest of the way, Sporting won the penalty shootout 5-4, converting all five kicks after Benny Feilhaber missed the first attempt.

2022: Kansas City’s most recent Semifinal appearance ended on a down note, dropping a penalty kick shootout to the USL Championship’s Sacramento Republic after a scoreless extra time draw.

MLS vs Division 2

Since 1996, MLS clubs have faced teams from Division 2 of US Soccer 10 times in the Semifinals

1996 >> Rochester Raging Rhinos 0:3 Colorado Rapids

1996 was the very first tournament to feature MLS clubs, although there were just 12 teams across all leagues entered. The A-League Rhinos were the darlings of soccer outside MLS, regularly drawing crowds in excess of 10,000, which was more than some MLS clubs. In front of 12,179 at Rochester’s Frontier Field, the Rhinos powered past the Colorado Rapids 3-0, getting two goals from Doug Miller (56’, 85’) and one from Lenin Steenkamp (32’).

1999 >> Charleston Battery 0:3 Colorado Rapids
1999 >> Rochester Ragin Rhinos 3:2 Columbus Crew

By 1999 the Open Cup field expanded, and for the first time two Division 2 clubs reached the Semifinals. With the games played as a doubleheader at Virginia Beach, Va., the Charleston Battery joined the Rhinos in facing their MLS foes. First up was Charleston challenging the Colorado Rapids, and fortune did not go the way of the Battery. Colorado got two goals from Jorge Dely Valdez (55’, 87’) and another from Paul Bravo (82’) to prevail 3-0. The second game between the Rhinos and Columbus Crew would turn out to be much more exciting. Columbus took a 1-0 lead through Robert Warzycha (56′), but Darren Tilley tied it for the Rhinos in the 68th minute. Brian West (77′) gave the lead back to Columbus minutes later, only for Scott Schweitzer (86′) and Tim Hardy (90’) to score for the Rhinos in the final four minutes for the dramatic win.

2004 >> Chicago Fire 1:0 (ASDET) Charleston Battery

While the Battery finished second to last in the nine-team A-League Eastern Conference, a 1-0 Quarterfinal triumph over the Rhinos sent them to the Semifinals. There they met the Chicago Fire, who had already won three Open Cup titles since their 1998 debut. Charleston took the Fire to extra time tied 0-0, but Dipsy Selolwane ended the Battery’s dreams with a golden goal in the 107th minute.

2005 >> Los Angeles Galaxy 5:2 Minnesota Thunder

While the league changed its name to the USL First Division, for the second year in a row one of its clubs reached the Semifinals. Like the Battery the year before, the Minnesota Thunder found themselves in the bottom half of the league standings. Upset wins over Real Salt Lake (6-4 after extra time), Colorado Rapids (4-1) and the Kansas City Wizards (3-1) allowed the Thunder a shot at salvaging their season. The Los Angeles Galaxy didn’t co-operate with the Thunder’s Cinderella run. Landon Donovan (29′) and Herculez Gomez (44′) gave LA a 2-0 halftime lead. Thunder legend Johnny Menyongar cut the lead in half at the 54th minute, but the Galaxy pulled away near the end of the second half with goals from Tyrone Marshall (77′), Gomez (81’) and Joseph Ngwenya (82′). Chad Dombrowski got a consolation goal in the 85th minute for the Thunder to make it 5-2.

2007 >> New England Revolution 2:1 (AET) Carolina RailHawks
2007 >> FC Dallas 2:1 (AET) Seattle Sounders

2007 saw another pair of Division 2 clubs claim semifinal spots, the end result of a historic Third Round in which five of the eight MLS teams were upset by their lower league opponents. First up, the Carolina RailHawks traveled to New Britain, Conn. to face the New England Revolution. Carolina took an early 1-0 lead in the 6th minute through Anthony Maher but Jeff Larentowicz put the Revs level in first half stoppage time. A scoreless second half led to extra time, where Pat Noonan struck for New England in the 94th minute, and the Revs held on to avoid an upset.

Later that night, FC Dallas faced the Sounders at Seattle’s Quest Field. After 90 minutes of scoreless play Carlos Ruiz put Dallas ahead in the second minute of extra time. In the 119th minute, Dallas went up 2-0 on an Abe Thompson penalty, but Leighton O’Brien kept it interesting until the very end with a goal for Seattle one minute later.

2009 >> D.C. United 2:1 Rochester Rhinos

After a 10-year absence, the Rochester Rhinos returned to the Semifinals in 2009 to face D.C. United. Jaime Moreno converted a penalty kick minutes before halftime, but Taiwo Atieno pulled the Rhinos level in the 68th minute. With extra time on the horizon, Thabiso Khumalo put D.C. ahead for good in the 83rd minute. It would be the last time the Rhinos, winners of the 1999 tournament, advanced this far in the Open Cup. 

2017 >> FC Cincinnati 2:3 (AET) New York Red Bulls

2017 was the year FC Cincinnati became legends. Their run to the Semifinals was preceded by a memorable penalty kick win over the Chicago Fire in the Round of 16 in front of a then-record 32,287 at Cincy’s Nippert Stadium and aired live on ESPN, a rare occurrence for a non-final Open Cup game. FC Cincinnati hosted the New York Red Bulls, the 33,250 fans breaking the non-final attendance record set just a month earlier. Cincinnati got off to a dream start as Corben Bone (31’) and Austin Berry (62’) put them up 2-0. The Red Bulls stormed back as Gonzalo Veron (75’) and Bradley Wright-Phillips (78’) tied the game. Wright-Phillips would strike again in the 101st minute in extra time to end FC Cincinnati’s dream run.

According to TheCup.us records, FC Cincinnati's sold-out crowd of 33,250 at Nippert Stadium for the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinal against the New York Red Bulls was the second-largest crowd to ever witness a tournament game. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati
According to TheCup.us records, FC Cincinnati’s sold-out crowd of 33,250 at Nippert Stadium for the 2017 US Open Cup Semifinal against the New York Red Bulls was the second-largest crowd to ever witness a tournament game. Photo: Erik Schelkun | FC Cincinnati

2022 >> Sacramento Republic FC 0:0 (5:4 PKs) Sporting Kansas City

Before this year, the Sacramento Republic were the last Division 2 team to reach the Semifinals. Riding a remarkable 11-game Open Cup home winning streak stretching back to 2017, Sacramento welcomed Sporting Kansas City to the California state capital. Sacramento goalkeeper Danny Vitiello wound up as the hero of the match. After 120 minutes of scoreless play, Vitiello saved the final penalty shot from SKC’s Graham Zusi, then Sacramento legend Rodrigo Lopez converted the final penalty kick to put the Republic into the Open Cup Final, the first time a non-MLS club achieved that feat since the Charleston Battery in 2008.

Indy Eleven (USL-C)
9th US Open Cup appearance (2014-2019, 2022, 2023)
1st Semifinal appearance
Overall: 8-7-1 (0-1 PK)
Away: 2-5-1 (0-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 1-2-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Fourth Round (2014, 2016)

Sporting Kansas City (MLS)
24th US Open Cup appearance (1996-98, 2000-06, 2008-19, 2022-23)
7th Semifinal appearance
Overall: 35-16-7 (4-3 PK)
Home: 26-7-2 (2-0 PK)
vs. Div. 2: 8-2-3 (1-2 PK)
Best finish: Champions (2004, 2012, 2015, 2017)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28

Los Angeles FC (MLS)
vs.
Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)

Starfire Sports Complex – Tukwila, WA
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET
LIVE VIDEO (APPLE TV)

Like Sporting KC, Seattle is looking to write their names in the history books with a fifth Open Cup title, joining Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC, and the Fall River Marksmen/New Bedford Whalers. In their way is Los Angeles FC, seeking their first ever Open Cup championship and the first for the city of Los Angeles since 2005.

Seattle and LAFC have met three times this season, twice in MLS and once in the Leagues Cup. The first meeting almost feels like it happened last season, as it took place all the way back on Feb. 24 to open the MLS season for both clubs at LAFC’s BMO Stadium. LAFC opened the scoring just before the halftime break when Omar Campos sent a cross into the penalty area to Timothy Tillman, who beat Seattle’s Open Cup Round 4 hero GK Andrew Thomas for the first of his four goals this year. Ten minutes after halftime Dennis Bouanga and Mateuz Bogusz teamed up to double LAFC’s lead, as Bouanga fed Bogusz who dribbled to the top of the penalty area and fired a rocket past Thomas. Seattle finally got on the board in the 72nd minute when the Sounders were awarded a penalty via VAR after Jordan Morris was brought down in the area. Pedro de la Vega, who Seattle acquired from Argentine club Lanus, stepped up and converted the spot kick. de la Vega has managed to play just seven games this year, as the 23-year-old has been plagued with hamstring and groin injuries. LAFC held on the rest of the way for a 2-1 season opening win.

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

By the time the two teams met again on July 20 the two clubs were in vastly different situations. LAFC had just come off a 15-game unbeaten run over all competitions, propelling them to the top of the MLS Western Conference standings. Seattle was in the middle of their own unbeaten run, eight games in MLS and Open Cup play, but the Sounders needed that run to pull themselves out of the bottom half of the standings and over the playoff line. Unfortunately for Seattle, LAFC would stop the Sounders streak cold in the Final game before the Leagues Cup with a 3-0 at Lumen Field in Seattle. It was the Bouanga and Bogusz show for LAFC, as the team leaders in goals and assists accounted for all three scores. Bouanga struck first in the 16th minute, and Bogusz followed ten minutes later. Bouanga finished the scoring in the 74th minute, defeating Seattle despite the Sounders having 63.6% of possession and outshooting LAFC 20-6.

Seattle Sounders We Want The Cup shirt
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

The third meeting came on Aug. 17 in the Quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup, and LAFC repeated their 3-0 victory from a few weeks prior. Ryan Hollingshead (14’) and Kei Kamara (25’) gave LAFC a 2-0 halftime advantage, and Bouanga added to the score in the 53rd minute. The win pushed LAFC’s unbeaten streak versus Seattle to nine games in all competitions, going back to May 16, 2021.

LAFC are currently battling their El Traffico rivals LA Galaxy for the top spot in the MLS Western Conference, currently five points behind but with three games in hand. LAFC will have a short turnaround from their previous game, their 3-1 Leagues Cup Final loss to Columbus on Aug. 25. The scoring duo of Bouanga and Bogusz sit atop the MLS scoring charts with 16 and 13 goals respectively, and they also lead LAFC in assists with 9 and 6. Led by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, LAFC have the third-fewest goals allowed in MLS with 30.

Los Angeles FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against Loudoun United in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC
Los Angeles FC players celebrate after scoring a goal against Loudoun United in the Round of 16 of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: LAFC

Seattle started their season slow, remaining just outside the playoff line. The Sounders then took off in June. After opening the month with a 2-1 loss to Kansas City, Seattle reeled off a five-game unbeaten streak which is still ongoing. The run has propelled Seattle to fifth place in the Western Conference, and after the Leagues Cup break they resumed with a 3-2 win over Minnesota United on Aug. 24.

Veterans Jordan Morris and Raul Ruidiaz lead the offense with ten and eight goals each, accounting for almost half of Seattle 37 goals in MLS play. Albert Rusnak is among the league leaders in assists with 12. Stefan Frei leads a Seattle defense almost as stingy as LAFC, allowing just 31 goals in 26 games, and backup Andrew Thomas has been the Open Cup hero for the Sounders.

Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a "We Want The Cup" shirt in your team's colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP
Support TheCup.us and its coverage of the US Open Cup by purchasing a “We Want The Cup” shirt in your team’s colors. Visit THECUP.US SHOP

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Both Los Angeles and Seattle have the unique distinction of becoming the first MLS clubs to reach the Open Cup Semifinals without facing another MLS team since Real Salt Lake in 2013. Each team faced three USL Championship sides, although LAFC won each game by two of more goals, all three contests were nail-biters for the Sounders.

LOS ANGELES FC

Fourth Round >> Los Angeles FC 3:1 Las Vegas Lights (USL Championship)

LAFC kicked off their tournament in the Fourth Round, putting away the Las Vegas Lights 3-1. After the teams traded goals early in the second half, Cristian Olivera came through with a pair of scores in the 70th minute and stoppage time. 

Fifth Round >> Los Angeles FC 3:0 Loudoun United (USL Championship)

In the Round of 16, LAFC had little trouble with Loudoun United, who traveled across the country to the west coast. LAFC defeated the USL Championship side 3-0. Timothy Tillman opened the scoring in the 8th minute and Cristian Olivera and Tomas Angel added second half goals. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

Quarterfinals >> Los Angeles FC 3:1 New Mexico United (USL Championship)

Waiting for LAFC in their first Open Cup Quarterfinal since 2019 was a home matchup with the USL Championship’s New Mexico United. Timothy Tillman put the home side ahead early with a 6th minute goal, collecting the rebound off a save from New Mexico goalkeeper Alexandros Tabakis. David Martinez doubled the lead in the 37th minute and then after his initial shot was saved by Tabakis, Martinez scored off the rebound. Greg Hurst pulled New Mexico to within one in the 57th minute with a blast from just outside the top of the penalty area. Then, Mateusz Bogusz snuffed out any hope of a comeback for New Mexico in the 77th minute with his first goal of the tournament and a 3-1 lead. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

Fourth Round >> Seattle Sounders FC 2:2 (5:4 PKs) Louisville City FC (USL Championship)

Seattle had a bit more work on their plate in eliminating Louisville City FC in front of a Seattle-friendly crowd at Starfire Soccer Complex. Up 2-0 midway through the second half on goals from Paul Rothrock and Danny Musovski, Louisville clawed their way back. After a successful penalty kick from Sean Totsch in the 67th minute, Jorge Gonzalez pulled Louisville level in the 89th minute. After 30 minutes of scoreless extra time, goalkeeper Andrew Thomas stepped up in the penalty tiebreaker, saving three attempts from Louisville before converting a PK of his own to win the shootout 5-4. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

Fifth Round >> Seattle Sounders FC 2:1 Phoenix Rising FC (USL Championship)

Seattle’s Round of 16 game was another nailbiter, as they squeezed past Phoenix Rising 2-1. A 68th minute Alex Roldan penalty kick canceled out a PK from Phoenix’s Rami Cabral in the first half. With just two minutes remaining, Kalani Kossa-Rienzi ensured Seattle would avoid extra time and penalties this time around with the game winning goal. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

Quarterfinals >> Seattle Sounders FC 2:1 Sacramento Republic FC (USL Championship)

The Sounders had yet another tough task waiting in the Quarterfinals, needing to travel to Northern California to face a Sacramento Republic team that almost never loses Open Cup games at home. Josh Atencio opened the scoring for Seattle in the 16th minute with a bouncing shot from the top of the penalty area. In the 31st, Jordan Morris beat Sacramento goalkeeper Daniel Vitiello when Vitiello came out to challenge Morris at the top of the box. Just four minutes after the break Sebastián Herrera pulled the hosts to within one when he headed home a Jack Gurr corner kick. Seattle would hold on to escape with a 2-1 win. (VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS)

OPEN CUP PEDIGREE

Seattle and LAFC have never met in Open Cup play, although the clubs would have met in the 2018 Round of 16, but Seattle were upset in the previous round by the Sacramento Republic 2-1 after extra time. LAFC made a splash in their inaugural Open Cup appearance in 2018, reaching the Semifinals where they were ousted by the Houston Dynamo on penalties after a 3-3 draw. Since then, a Quarterfinal finish in 2019 is the deepest LAFC has gone, getting eliminated by “El Trafico” rivals LA Galaxy in 2022 & 2023. LAFC are the first MLS club since Real Salt Lake in 2013 to reach the semifinals without playing another MLS team in previous rounds. LAFC has not beaten another MLS club in the Open Cup since their 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers in the 2022 Fourth Round.

Like Sporting Kansas City, Seattle is entering this year’s Open Cup looking to make history, as they are one championship away from joining Bethlehem Steel, Maccabee AC and the Fall River Marksmen as five time Cup champions. 

Members of the Seattle Sounders celebrate after winning the 2014 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup at PPL Park in Chester, PA. Photo: Seattle Sounders FC

The last five Open Cup tournaments haven’t been very successful for the Sounders, going “one-and-done” three times, and the other two lasting just two games. Seattle has had four teams in the Open Cup over the years. While Seattle is an impressive 30-4-4 at home in the Open Cup, their road record is a dreadful 8-14-4. Seattle also holds a nice record versus fellow MLS clubs in Open Cup play, going 15-5-3 since joining the league in 2009. However, they have lost 3 in a row to their league mates, with the last win being a 2-1 triumph over their arch-rivals Portland Timbers in the 2017 Fourth Round.

LOS ANGELES AND SEATTLE IN THE SEMIFINALS

Since California began entering Open Cup play in 1953, the city of Los Angeles has been a fixture in the Semifinals. 38 times teams from the Southland have reached this point in the Open Cup. The Los Angeles Galaxy and Maccabee AC are tied with seven Semifinal appearances among LA clubs, followed by the Los Angeles Kickers with four. Twenty-four times a Los Angeles team advanced to the Open Cup Final, although LA hasn’t seen a team make it that far since the Galaxy fell to the Chicago Fire in 2006. Seattle has seen the Semifinals 10 times, eight by the Sounders, and two from Mitre Eagles

Some memorable Semifinal moments for Los Angeles and Seattle include:

1955 >> Simpkins Ford 2:5 (AET) Danish American SC

Teams from Los Angeles and San Francisco had just begun Open Cup play in 1954. After finishing 90 minutes at 1-1. In extra time Danish American SC’s Sven Martensen, Billy Agnew, George Kay, and Hugh Johnston countered Butch Cook’s lone extra time goal for DASC to prevail 5-2. The St. Louis-based Simpkins had won the Open Cup title in 1950.

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

1966 >> Orange County SC 5:0 Chicago Kickers

Fred Cameron netted a second half hat-trick (70′, 72′, 85′) to power Orange County to the first of two consecutive Open Cup Final appearances. Cameron also assisted on Manual Abunza’s 10th minute goal, and Werner Mata interrupted Cameron’s hat trick with a 78th minute goal.

Source: LA Times

1971 >> Yugoslav American SC vs. Hamm’s (St. Louis)
Hamm’s forfeit, failed to appear

Hamm did not show for the game against Yugoslav American SC at Rancho Cienega Stadium in Los Angeles because there was no guarantee (for a traveling party of 18) offered to Hamm. The previous rule of the hosts covering the away team travel costs had recently been eliminated. Hamm’s had offered the Los Angeles-based club $2,000 to play the game in St. Louis, but that offer was rejected.

1973 >> Maccabee AC 1:0 Croatian SC (Chicago)

The dynasty of the mighty Maccabees gets started in 1973. Hans Gudegast’s 65th minute penalty kick goal is enough to send the Maccabees through to their first Final, where they would claim the first of their record-tying five Open Cup championships.

1983 >> New York Pancyprian Freedoms 4:2 FOE Eagles No. 1

The first ever Semifinal appearance by a Seattle club may be more memorable for what happened leading up to the game. After beating San Francisco’s Greek American AC in the Region IV Final (National Quarterfinals), FOE Eagles No. 1 were disqualified for using an ineligible player. Feeling wronged, the Eagles managed to secure a court order to replay the Region IV final in Houston before the Semifinals. The Eagles once again prevailed 1-0 to move on to the Semis to face the powerhouse New York Pancyprian Freedoms, winners of two of the last three Open Cup titles (1980, 1982). Perhaps weary from playing the night before, the Eagles fell 4-2 to the Freedoms.

1987 >> Mitre Eagles 5:4 (AET) Busch U22 (St. Louis)

Four years later, the Eagles would return to the Semifinals, and finish with a better result. Facing St. Louis’ Busch u22, the Eagles held a 2-1 halftime lead, only for Busch to tie the game in the 87th minute. Busch then fought back to overcome a 4-2 hole in extra time. As penalties drew near, John Klien fired a shot that snuck under the crossbar in the 119th minute to send the Eagles to their one and only Open Cup Final.

1995 >> El Paso Patriots 1:0 Seattle Sounders

In the first semifinal of the Modern Era, the A-League’s Seattle Sounders could not overcome the 100 degree heat of El Paso, and were upset by the USISL Pro League’s Patriots 1-0. Knowing they were facing one of the better teams of the A-League, the Patriots employed world class gamesmanship. The hosts allowed the grass at Dudley Field to grow a bit longer and elected to set a mid-day kickoff time. By game time temperatures in El Paso soared to 103 degrees, something the Sounders, from the mild and wet Pacific Northwest, struggled with. Gabino Amparán’s 36th minute goal was all the Patriots needed for the upset.

El Paso Times – July 30, 1995

2000 – Los Angeles Galaxy 1:2 (asdet) Chicago Fire
2001 – Los Angeles Galaxy 1:0 (asdet) Chicago Fire

In the Galaxy’s first ever Semifinal appearance, the Chicago Fire played rude guests, beating LA 2-1 in golden goal extra time. Cobi Jones (79′) and Ante Razov (85′) traded goals late in the second half, and in extra time Josh Wolff won it for Chicago in the 112th minute.

A year later the Galaxy would get their revenge on the Fire with their own golden goal no less. After a scoreless 90 minutes, Alexi Lalas scored off a corner kick four minutes into extra time, then famously celebrated by running up the hill behind the goal at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium.

2018 >> Los Angeles FC 3:3 (6:7 PKs) Houston Dynamo

LAFC’s first semifinal appearance against the Houston Dynamo in 2018 may not have ended how they wanted, but it was memorable. Diego Rossi scored all three goals for LAFC, including goals in the 78th minute and second half stoppage time to overcome a 3-1 deficit. After a scoreless extra time, both teams converted 4 of 5 penalty kicks, and in the eighth round Latif Blessing missed his attempt and Houston advanced to the Final winning the penalty shootout 7-6. Despite being eliminated, Diego Rossi’s individual performance was impressive enough to be voted TheCup.us Player of the Round.

Diego Rossi of LAFC celebrates one of his three goals against the Houston Dynamo in the 2018 US Open Cup Semifinals. The match finished in a 3-3 draw and the Dynamo prevailed 7-6 on penalty kicks. Photo: Houston Dynamo
Diego Rossi of LAFC celebrates one of his three goals against the Houston Dynamo in the 2018 US Open Cup Semifinals. The match finished in a 3-3 draw and the Dynamo prevailed 7-6 on penalty kicks. Photo: Houston Dynamo

2009 >> Seattle Sounders FC 2:1 (AET) Houston Dynamo 

The Sounders capped off their first season in MLS with their first Open Cup title and on the way needed a 2-1 extra time win over the Houston Dynamo in the Semifinals. Nate Jaqua’s 89th minute goal forced extra time, and Stephen King’s 94th minute tally put the Sounders up 2-1. Seattle was then forced to defend the lead with 10 men when Jhon Hurtado was sent off after his second caution in the 110th minute, but held on to go to their first Open Cup Final. 

2014 >> Seattle Sounders FC 6:0 Chicago Fire

With three open Cup championships already under their belt, Seattle stormed their way to a fourth title on the heels of a 6-0 Semifinal thrashing of the Chicago Fire, who were four time winners themselves. Two goals apiece from Andrew Rose (33’ 58’) and Kenny Cooper (83’ 84’) were accompanied by solo efforts from Chad Barrett (6’) and Obafemi Martins (79’). It remains one of the most lopsided Semifinal games in tournament history. Only three Semifinal matches have been separated by more than six goals with the last one coming in 1981 when the Brooklyn Dodgers blanked Atlanta’s Datagraphic 7-0.

The Seattle Sounders FC celebrate after midfielder Andy Rose (5) scored a goal against the Chicago Fire during the second half at Starfire Soccer Stadium. Seattle defeated Chicago 6-0. Photo: Steven Bisig | USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles FC (MLS)
5th US Open Cup appearance (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023)
2nd Semifinal appearance
Overall: 10-3-2 (1-1 PK)
Away: 2-1-2 (1-1 PK)
vs. MLS: 4-3-1 (0-1 PK)
Best finish: Semifinals (2018)

Seattle Sounders FC (MLS)
26th US Open Cup appearance (1995-97, 1999-2003, 2005-19, 2022-23)
7th Semifinal appearance (5th in MLS)
Overall: 39-18-8 (5-3 PK) | 23-7-6 (4-2 PK) as MLS
Home: 30-4-4 (3-1 PK) | 19-2-3 (2-1 PK) as MLS
vs. MLS: 19-12-4 (2-2 PK) | 15-5-3 (1-2 PK) as MLS
Best finish: Champions (2009, 2010, 2011, 2014)

Filed Under: 2024 US Open Cup, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central Tagged With: 2024 US Open Cup, Indy Eleven, Los Angeles FC, Seattle Sounders FC, Sporting Kansas City/Kansas City Wizards

2024 US Open Cup Quarterfinals: Seattle Sounders end decade-long Semifinal drought with win over Sacramento Republic

July 10, 2024 by William Hodges

Jordan Morris and Albert Rusnák of the Seattle Sounders celebrate after scoring a goal against the Sacramento Republic in the Quarterfinals of the 2024 US Open Cup. Photo: Seattle Sounders FC

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.

THAT'S OUR OLYMPIAN ???? pic.twitter.com/s8lgqacqJr

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) July 10, 2024

“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. 

The Mercer Island Magician is on fire ???? pic.twitter.com/wKgv2mWaEJ

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) July 10, 2024

“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.”

Instant impact ????

Sebastian Herrera comes on at the break, and cuts the visitors lead in half. ???? pic.twitter.com/zJ3mGhkKJH

— Sacramento Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) July 10, 2024

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. 

Seattle Sounders We Want The Cup shirt
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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.

Danny Vitiello, American Hero ????????#USOC2024 | @SacRepublicFC pic.twitter.com/lV7gcIM0mZ

— U.S. Open Cup (@opencup) July 10, 2024

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.

Filed Under: 2024 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central Tagged With: 2024 US Open Cup, Sacramento Republic FC, Seattle Sounders FC

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

May 23, 2024 by Derek Brown

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
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 goal + celly combo ???????? pic.twitter.com/HYxb1OVKRy

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) May 23, 2024

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.

Checking in with our match-winner ???? pic.twitter.com/Lt4YecgaEp

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) May 23, 2024

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.

As calm as you like from the spot ????‍???? pic.twitter.com/iIIq97lQE3

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) May 23, 2024

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.

Filed Under: 2024 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central Tagged With: 2024 US Open Cup, Phoenix Rising FC, Seattle Sounders FC

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

May 9, 2024 by Derek Brown

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
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.

Relive alllll the Open Cup chaos from Starfire last night! ???? pic.twitter.com/tY7wGjk8dX

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) May 9, 2024

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.

Filed Under: 2024 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central Tagged With: 2024 US Open Cup, Louisville City FC, Seattle Sounders FC

2023 US Open Cup Round 4: Second half brace from Memo Rodriguez pushes LA Galaxy past Seattle Sounders

May 11, 2023 by Kathryne Padilla

Memo Rodriguez of LA Galaxy celebrates after scoring a goal against the Seattle Sounders FC in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: LA Galaxy
Memo Rodriguez of LA Galaxy celebrates after scoring a goal against the Seattle Sounders FC in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: LA Galaxy
Memo Rodriguez of LA Galaxy celebrates after scoring a goal against the Seattle Sounders FC in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: LA Galaxy

A goal three minutes into the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup gave LA Galaxy it’s upperhand and hold of possession to end with a 3-1 victory over the Seattle Sounders.

LA Galaxy We Want The Cup shirt US Open Cup
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“I did think we simplified the game, the ball moved a little bit quicker between guys. There’s times though, especially the first half where I think we have some momentum and to attack and we tend to turn back in and we turned it into a possession,” said LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney.

The start of the half proved to be in the favor of the Galaxy. Only three minutes of possession, a shot just a few steps into the goalie box by Julian Aude would find its way in the top left hand corner of the net, placing them on the scoreboard early on.

Aude made history by scoring the fastest US Open Cup goal in the Galaxy’s team history. It was about 45 seconds faster than Jellen Van Damme’s third minute goal in a match against the San Jose Earthquakes in the 2017 Quarterfinals

“One of the objectives of this group is to get the first goal. It was nice to get it so early. As you said I think that that frees up the group a little bit as well and Julian when when the ball popped out, he took a great first touch. He had a good look and good angle and he got a hold of it,” Vanney said.

The Sounders now in a deficit with roughly 87 minutes to play; they slowly began to pick up the pace and match LA Galaxy’s intensity.

First of many ????????@julianaude03 x @opencup pic.twitter.com/LRDWQz1fxP

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) May 11, 2023

However, LA Galaxy remained on top of possession with a 60/40 hold, but fell short with only two shots on goal as opposed to the Sounders’ three.

In a final attempt to lengthen the score, a break away opportunity was created for Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez but ended with him being rewarded a yellow card following the play. In the 42nd minute, he was called offsides and while stopping his run; he kicked the ball away from the Sounders’ goalie. 

The half ended shortly after with the home side in front 1-0.

Por su familia y por #LAGalaxy @40_jrod x @opencup pic.twitter.com/j7qcn58OCu

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) May 11, 2023

As the second half commenced, both teams began to increase their level of aggression. Possession seemed to decrease from the Galaxy’s grasp and become more even. However, the increased intensity would lead the Sounders to receive their first yellow card of the night.

It wouldn’t be long until the Galaxy raised the score, in the 66th minute, in a small battle of possession, just feet from the goalie, Memo Rodriguez was able to get a foot on the ball and put it past the netminder. The Galaxy’s 2-0 lead wouldn’t last long.

Less than two minutes later, in a quick offensive play, a center from on the right side of the field found its way Sounders’ Paul Rothrock whose header missed the hands of Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond and ended up in the back of the net to cut the lead in half.

Rodriguez would respond later in the 84th minute with his second goal of the match to restore the two-goal lead. This goal would also mark his sixth goal for his Open Cup career. His first four came with the Houston Dynamo. Three of them came during Houston’s 2018 US Open Cup title run.

Memo Masterclass ????@40_jrod bags a brace to make it 3-1! pic.twitter.com/BXZqVFVqBs

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) May 11, 2023

“I thought it was a good night, good goals from all three, good goals, great for Memo to come on … and he’s been working really hard over this stretch,” said Vanney. “He hits the hardest balls on the team and he found himself with two good looks today.”

With only less than 10 minutes of the match left, the Sounders were unable to produce a comeback and the Galaxy win their opening round game for the eighth year in a row. 

Filed Under: 2023 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central Tagged With: 2023 US Open Cup, LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders FC

2023 US Open Cup Round 3: Seattle Sounders survive multiple comebacks by San Diego Loyal, win OT thriller

April 30, 2023 by Tyler Chott

Players from the Seattle Sounders celebrate after scoring a goal against San Diego Loyal in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Seattle Sounders FC
Players from the Seattle Sounders celebrate after scoring a goal against San Diego Loyal in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Seattle Sounders FC
Players from the Seattle Sounders FC celebrate after scoring a goal against San Diego Loyal in the 2023 US Open Cup. Photo: Seattle Sounders FC

Coming into this game, the average Sounders fan never gave thought that San Diego would score four goals, the game would go into overtime and end with a last minute penalty that club legend Fredy Montero would bury to move Seattle onto the next round of the US Open Cup. Who knew he was 120 minutes fit? That’s what happened on a nice spring evening in Tukwila, Wash., the site of many intense games and Sounders’ victories.

“… this game was a great game,” said Seattle coach Brian Schmetzer. “I’ve seen a lot of games on this field and it was a pretty freaking great game… Reed played well, Sota was good, Obed was good, Cody Baker played Sunday in Houston and had to fly all day, so his recovery I mean that kid put it in… we got some talented kids between the two franchises.”

One for the history books. #SEAvSD | @opencup pic.twitter.com/DHY9wjDAMU

— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) April 28, 2023

Late substitute and senior team debutant Travian Sousa found himself with the ball in the box in the last minute of extra time with his feet tangled by a San Diego defender. When the ref whistled for a penalty the crowd erupted and a few minutes later when club Montero stepped up, it was dead silent. Would this be a repeat of last year when Seattle and San Jose went 11 penalties each before Leo Chu skied his effort and gave Seattle their first loss at Star Fire? The keeper guessed the right way but it slid under him and sent Seattle onto the next round.

Montero also had the first goal of the game which was a scrappy effort after some confusion in the box from San Diego. About 10 minutes later, Leo Chu found himself some freedom down the left and put in a cross that the keeper just tipped to the feet of Ethan Dobbelaere who tapped in his first goal as a sounder to put them up 2-0.

A couple players were using this game to show not just the coaching staff but the supporters that they were deserving of more playing time. Reed Baker-Whiting, Cody Baker and AB Cisssoko put in stellar shifts in defense and the Sounders went into halftime up with a clean sheet. On the offensive side, Chu was Seattle’s most dangerous threat, continuously finding space and freedom on the left side. 

Seattle Sounders We Want The Cup shirtHe was subbed off at half for Paul Rothrock who also made his first team debut. Rothrock was able to get his first goal just a few minutes after Joe Corona had converted a dubious penalty because of an Arreaga handball. He had a night to forget with some confusing passing and poor positioning. It was 3-1 in the 55th minute.

Steven Cleveland was making his first appearance of the season in goal. After failing to save the penalty kick he also didn’t get close to a Joe Corona free kick in the 73rd and in the last minute of regulation got surprised by an absolute laser from San Diego defender Kyle Adams that ripped through the top right corner to send the game into extra time.

Youth and age played a big part of the second half of extra time as Reed Baker-Whiting, not to be outdone by San Diego’s goal from a defender, took a few dribbles to his left to find room to unleash a left footed rocket that made it 4-3.

“Well, I kinda saw the space and kept going and saw where I wanted to hit and hit it there. I didn’t know what to do after that,” Reed said.

In the 23rd minute of extra time, San Diego was awarded a free kick. It looped off of substitute defender Jackson Kasanzu into the left corner. He was unmarked and was just able to freely jump and direct the free kick. Luckily the game was over for Seattle. Just a few minutes later the previously mentioned penalty was called and Montero iced the game.

For Montero, it was his 10th career US Open Cup goal, which breaks the club’s record as an MLS franchise, but is one shy of the all-time club record of 11 held by Sebastien Le Toux. 

It was also a rare game in that it was just the fourth time in the Modern Era (1995-present) that a team has given up four goals and still came away with a win. 

Filed Under: 2023 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup, US Open Cup Central Tagged With: 2023 US Open Cup, San Diego Loyal, Seattle Sounders FC

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

May 12, 2022 by Derek Brown

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
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).

Round of 16.

Here we come.#VamosSJ pic.twitter.com/VyUomJIavz

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) May 12, 2022

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.

Filed Under: 2022 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2022 US Open Cup, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC

Sigi Schmid: Greatest coach in US Open Cup history, dies at 65

January 7, 2019 by J.T. Alwin

Sigi Schmid of the Seattle Sounders FC is showered with champagne during his post-game preference after winning the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship.

Sigi Schmid of the Seattle Sounders FC is showered with champagne during his post-game preference after winning the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship.
Sigi Schmid of the Seattle Sounders FC is showered with champagne during his post-game preference after winning the 2010 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup championship.

There are very few boxes that Sigi Schmid could not check off in his coaching career.

NCAA championship? Check.

Major League Soccer championship? Check.

Major League Soccer Supporters’ Shield? Check.

US Open Cup championship? Check.

CONCACAF championship? Check.

Schmid passed away on Christmas Day, leaving behind a legacy not only of success on the field, but as an elite level scout who had an exceptional eye for talent.

Since his passing, so much attention has been paid — and rightfully so — to his accomplishments as a coach. In his career at the professional level, he won 11 US Soccer Majors (2 MLS Cups, 3 MLS Supporters’ Shields, 5 US Open Cups and 1 CONCACAF Champions Cup), which is more than any coach during the Modern Era (1995-present).

One aspect of his lengthy resume that has been overlooked are the five US Open Cup titles that he won. He led the Los Angeles Galaxy to the club’s first US Open Cup title in 2001, which marked the first time a Southern California team had lifted the trophy in 20 years. Then, he helped Seattle Sounders FC make history by winning three straight championships from 2009-2011 before leading them to a fourth title in 2014.

When the Los Angeles Galaxy won the 2001 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, they were the first Southern California team to lift the trophy since 1981 (Maccabee AC). Photo: LA Galaxy
When the Los Angeles Galaxy won the 2001 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, they were the first Southern California team to lift the trophy since 1981 (Maccabee AC). Photo: LA Galaxy

Not only does no coach in the Modern Era have more than three US Open Cup championships, but TheCup.us research has found that no coach in the 105-year history of the tournament with more titles than Sigi Schmid. In fact, Schmid is just one of two coaches in history to win US Open Cup titles with two different clubs and he is one of only three coaches to lead a team to three straight US Open Cups.

When Schmid led the Seattle Sounders to his fifth title in 2014 US Open Cup championship, he broke a tie with legendary coach Sam Mark for the all-time record. Mark led the Fall River Marksmen to four titles: one in 1927 and then three straight from 1930-1932 (in 1932, the team had moved to New Bedford, Mass. and changed their name to the Whalers).

In the Modern Era, Schmid holds the record for most US Open Cup games coached (53), and most wins (35). Even with that many games under his belt, Schmid ranks sixth in the Modern Era in advance percentage (.755) and eighth in win percentage (.660). He also is tied for the most draws (6), but in those six draws, his teams won five of the resulting penalty kick shootouts – another Modern Era record for a coach. His only loss in a PK shootout was a disappointing 2012 final decision Sporting Kansas City, which denied Seattle the first-ever “four peat” in tournament history.

After a successful playing career at UCLA, Schmid started his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater in 1977. Although he took over as head coach in 1980, the position was not full-time at UCLA until the 1984 season. He would lead the Bruins to the College Cup in 1985, 1990, and 1997, before moving to the professional ranks in 1999.

US Open Cup championships (1914-present)
Sigi Schmid LA Galaxy (2001)
Seattle Sounders FC (2009-11, 2014)
5
Sam Mark Fall River Marksmen (1927, 1930-31), New Bedford Whalers (1932) 4
Azriel Arnaldes Maccabee AC (1975, 1978, 1981) 3
Tate Brady Scullin Steel (1922)
Stix, Baer & Fuller (1933-34)
3
Alkis Panagoulias (NY) Greek American SC (1967-69) 3
Mimis Papaioannou NY Pancyprian Freedoms (1980, 1982-83) 3
Peter Vermes Sporting KC (2012, 2015, 2017) 3
Source: TheCup.us

When Schmid took over the LA Galaxy that year, the team was 3-3 and stumbling after winning the Supporters’ Shield the year before. Schmid then guided them back to the top of the Western Conference and to the 1999 MLS Cup Final, earning the Galaxy a berth into the 2000 CONCACAF Champions Cup (now known as the CONCACAF Champions League). That competition would be the first of many professional cup victories for Schmid, as the Galaxy defeated Olimpia of Honduras, 3-2, to lift the trophy. No MLS team has won the competition since.

The 2001 season brought Schmid his first US Open Cup when the Galaxy beat the New England Revolution 2-1 in extra time. The next year he bagged a double, with the Galaxy clinching the Supporters’ Shield, then dispatching the Revs again (on the road) in the MLS Cup Final. Despite these accomplishments, and having never missed the playoffs with him in charge, the Galaxy let Schmid go in the middle of the 2004 season.

Schmid then took the reins of the United States Under-20 men’s team, a team he had previous coached to the knockout stage of the Under-20 World Cup. In 2006, he moved back to MLS to take over the Columbus Crew. The Crew were facing a massive rebuild, so while Sigi missed the playoffs his first two years at the helm, their patience with the coach paid off in a big way in 2008. That year, Columbus took the Supporters’ Shield, then completed the double with a 3-1 triumph over the New York Red Bulls in the MLS Cup Final. Coming off the club’s most successful season, Schmid decided to return to the West Coast to take on the challenge of managing an expansion team.

I have no words – simply devastated. I have no career without this man. My heart goes out to his family – RIP – https://t.co/F2udd8sTpq

— Eric Wynalda (@EricWynalda) December 26, 2018

Schmid took over the reins of Seattle Sounders FC in impressive fashion, not only leading them to the playoffs, but guiding the Sounders to the US Open Cup by beating D.C. United 2-1. This put Seattle in rare company, being the first expansion team since the 1998 Chicago Fire to win the Cup. However, the coach was far from done with rewriting history. After Open Cup wins in 2010 (2-1 over his former club, the Columbus Crew) and 2011 (2-0 over the Chicago Fire), Seattle became the first Modern Era team to win back-to-back Cups, and became only the third team in competition history to three-peat.

After falling short of a “four-peat” in that 2012 penalty kick shootout, Schmid would lead the Sounders to another title in 2014, this time with a 3-1 extra time win over the Philadelphia Union. This put the Sounders into a tie for the most cups in the Modern Era with four, tying the Chicago Fire (Sporting Kansas City has since joined the four cup club). Although the Sounders made the playoffs every year and had continued success in the Cup, a rough start to the 2016 season led to both Seattle and their coach to part ways.

The Galaxy brought Schmid back in the middle of a dismal 2017 season, with an eye on overhauling the roster. After landing Zlatan Ibrahimovich, LA was in position to make the playoffs again before the coach resigned due to health reasons. The team missed the playoffs in the last game of the season, only the fourth time a team led by Sigi missed the playoffs in 19 seasons (including partial seasons).

Schmid was well known in US soccer circles for his ability to spot and develop talent. Ten of the players he coached at UCLA have played on the US Men’s National Team at a World Cup between 1990 and 2006, and three of them – Brad Friedel, Cobi Jones, and Joe-Max Moore – played in three World Cups.

Schmid was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2015, and rightfully so. His 240 regular season and 266 total victories are the most in MLS history. He also owns the most trophies by any MLS coach, with 11, as well as the aforementioned most Open Cup trophies. He also owned a college coaching record of 322 wins against 63 losses and 33 draws, and missed the NCAA playoffs only twice in 19 seasons at UCLA on top of his three College Cup wins. Sigi was a legendary force in American soccer, and a large measuring stick for future coaches to be held up to.

Filed Under: Feature - History, Feature - Main, US Open Cup, US Open Cup History Tagged With: Los Angeles Galaxy, Seattle Sounders FC, Sigi Schmid

2018 US Open Cup Round 4: Sacramento Republic claim another MLS upset with OT win over Seattle Sounders

June 7, 2018 by Thomas Hodul

The Sacramento Republic FC defeated the Seattle Sounders FC of MLS in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC

The Sacramento Republic FC defeated the Seattle Sounders FC of MLS in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC
The Sacramento Republic FC defeated the Seattle Sounders FC of MLS in the Fourth Round of the 2018 US Open Cup. Photo: Sacramento Republic FC

For the second year in a row, the Sacramento Republic were able to pull off another upset in front of their home fans as they topped the four-time US Open Cup champion, Seattle Sounders FC, by a score of 2-1. The USL side was on the front foot for much of the night before eventually grabbing the late winner with a goal by substitute Jure Matjašič in the 115th minute of play.

“It’s another step forward,” said Sacramento head coach Simon Elliot about the massive win. “We are pleased to win and we are pleased to get to the next round.”

The Republic controlled most of the first half as the Sounders only had one shot on target very early on in the match. Sacramento was able to create loads of chances but was unable to convert any of those chances into a goal.

“We dominated for long periods but we weren’t clinical enough,” said Elliot about his team’s performance.

The best of those chances came first in the 8th minute when Elliot Hord was just barely unable to finish on the back post. The other major chance in the first half fell to captain Adam Moffat who missed his long range effort just wide in the 35th minute as the half finished 0-0.

The second half began much like the first half as the home side was in control and looked comfortable though out. The breakthough goal eventually came in the 60th minute when the hometown kid, Cameron Iwasa, finished off a cross from Elliot Hord to give the home side the deserved 1-0 advantage.

“Elliot absolutely worked his tail off,” said Simon about the man who set up the opening goal.

The match winning goal.  Jure, WE LOVE YA!#USOC2018 pic.twitter.com/3gobUhsfhI

— Republic FC (@SacRepublicFC) June 7, 2018

Sacramento continued to control the possession and most of the play on the field as they searched for a second goal to seal the match. The Republic came close in the 71st minute when Iwasa forced a huge save out of Sounders goalkeeper Bryan Meredith.

Then again in the 83rd minute, the man of the match, Vilyan Bijev, forced another save out of Meredith. It appeared that the home side would kill the match off as they continued to push for their second goal. Not too long after that, Sacramento’s Justin Schmidt just missed his effort on the doorstep, which surely would have ended the match in the 90th minute.

However, the Republic were hit with a deflected equalizer in the 92nd minute of play when Sounders substitute, Harry Shipp, came up with the goal to send the match to extra time and silence the home crowd on the Sounders’ second shot on target.

Sacramento did not let the goal affect them however as they went right back to dominating in the extra time.

“I was very pleased with the response after Seattle got the goal,” said Elliot. “You can’t drop your heads just because you lose a goal. You have to pick yourself up and keep going.”

Sacramento found the game-winning goal through Jure Matjašič in the 115th minute when a rebounded effort off the foot of Bijev fell kindly to Matjašič who calmly finished off the goal to give his side the 2-1 lead late.

Filed Under: 2018 US Open Cup, Feature - Main, US Open Cup Tagged With: 2018 US Open Cup, Sacramento Republic, Seattle Sounders FC

2017 US Open Cup Round 4: Seattle Sounders win reserves-heavy rematch with Portland Timbers

June 14, 2017 by Nick Schiffler

Aaron Kovar of the Seattle Sounders celebrates his 3rd minute goal in the club's Fourth Round match against the Portland Timbers in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Seattle Sounders

Aaron Kovar of the Seattle Sounders celebrates his 3rd minute goal in the club's Fourth Round match against the Portland Timbers in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Seattle Sounders
Aaron Kovar of the Seattle Sounders celebrates his 3rd minute goal in the club’s Fourth Round match against the Portland Timbers in the 2017 US Open Cup. Photo: Seattle Sounders

In 2015, the last time the Seattle Sounders met the Portland Timbers in the US Open Cup, the match featured a 3-1 Seattle home loss, three red cards and Clint Dempsey ripping up the referee’s notebook. This time around, the Sounders were able to enact their revenge.

Aaron Kovar opened the scoring early on for Seattle, and Zack Mathers contributed the game-deciding penalty kick in the second half, as the Sounders knocked off the Timbers 2-1 in the Fourth Round of the 2017 US Open Cup at Starfire Sports Complex.

The game had barely kicked off before the Sounders opened the scoring. In just the third minute, Nouhou Tolo whipped in a cross from the left wing that eluded three Timbers defenders, falling for an open Kovar to slam home.

Kovar was one of a small number of Sounders in the lineup with previous experience playing for the first team, and served as the spearhead of the attack while he was on the field.

“It felt good,” Kovar said. “That was my first competitive start in a while so it was good to get back.”

Long-delayed, much-anticipated look at @aokovar‘s opening goal! pic.twitter.com/afif5BoyAv

— Sounders Matchday (@LIVESounders) June 14, 2017

Seattle had the run of play for the first 30 minutes before Portland started to work their way into the game. Ben Zemanski was the main orchestrator of the Timbers offense, and he helped create their equalizer in the 38th minute. His well-taken corner kick to the back post was nodded down by Rennico Clarke and bundled into the net by Augustine Williams. The Timbers nearly got a second just before the halftime whistle, with an outstretched save from Tyler Miller keeping Zemanksi’s laser of a shot from finding the net.

Tyler Miller says, YOU SHALL NOT PASS, SIR. pic.twitter.com/s8CLD37NNs — Sounders Matchday (@LIVESounders) June 14, 2017

To start the second half Seattle raced into the attack with renewed energy. That quickly turned into a penalty kick when Felix Chenkam’s close-range shot was blocked by a Portland arm in the box. Mathers stepped up and calmly rolled his penalty into the right side of the net to give the Sounders back the lead. Portland occasionally threatened during the rest of the half but never came particularly close to scoring again.

While this meeting featured the tension and chippy play that is expected when these two bitter Cascadia rivals face off, it did not get quite as explosive as their famous 2015 match – with just one yellow card handed out on the night. Part of that may have been due to both teams fielding lineups relying heavily on players called up from their second teams in the USL, T2 and S2. Portland signed 11 such T2 players to short-term, first-team contracts to play in the match and Seattle signed nine S2 players of their own.

Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer gave credit to those call-ups for helping earn the victory and praised the growth of the Sounders organization as a whole.

“There’s been a lot of hard work by Ezra and the academy guys and that’s pushing up to our level,” Schmetzer said. “I thought all of our S2 players played extremely well.”

It was Schmetzer’s first US Open Cup match as full-time manager of the club in MLS. He was at the reins for Seattle when they played in the USL, and guided the then-minor league team to back-to-back Semifinal cup runs in 2007 and 2008.

The Sounders will find out who they face in the next round of this year’s tournament during the Round of 16 draw on June 15.

“This club’s had a lot of success in this tournament and I won it one year, so that was a pretty cool experience,” Kovar said. “It would be fun to do it again.”

Filed Under: US Open Cup Tagged With: 2017 US Open Cup, Portland Timbers MLS, Seattle Sounders FC

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U.S. Open Cup History

1995 us open cup rewind graphic

1995 US Open Cup Rewind series: The Modern Era begins

The 30th anniversary of the 1995 Open Cup is upon us this year, and as we did with the inaugural tournament in 1913-1914, we’re going to take you back in time and relive the 1995 US Open Cup in chronological order, as it happened.

  • Dating back to 1913, Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh soccer rivalry returns to US Open Cup
  • How a US Open Cup classic, locker room vandalism inspired fans to create Coffee Pot Cup
  • Highs and lows of Los Angeles’ 25 all-time US Open Cup Final appearances
  • Before Lionel Messi’s 2023 US Open Cup impact, Pele changed the 1975 Final in a different way
  • A history of violence against referees in US Open Cup

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