Seattle Sounders Will Host U.S. Open Cup Final If They Qualify

by Jeremiah Oshan on Aug 26, 2011 1:11 PM PDT in Sounders: US Open Cup

The Seattle Sounders will play FC Dallas on Tuesday in a U.S. Open Cup semifinal. If the Sounders win, they will host the final on Oct. 4. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)

The Seattle Sounders would host the U.S. Open Cup final for a second straight year if they beat FC Dallas on Tuesday. The game would be held at CenturyLink Field on Oct. 4 and will be played against the winner of the Chicago Fire-Richmond Kickers semifinal.

Either finals matchup would be intriguing, even if the Sounders would be considered prohibitive favorites. The Fire currently hold the MLS-era record for Open Cup titles with four (1998, 2000, 2003, 2006). A win by the Sounders would give them the second most in MLS. A Fire victory would also tie them with Bethlehem Steel for the most all time. The Kickers of USL-Pro would be trying to become the second non-MLS team to win the title since 1996 and the first since the Rochester Rhinos won it in 1999.

No matter who they play, the Sounders would be trying to become the first team to win three consecutive Open Cup titles since the New York Greek-Americans pulled that off from 1967-69. The last team to even repeat as champions was the New York Pancyprian-Freedoms in 1983-84.

The Sounders have never lost an Open Cup match at Starfire Sports Complex, a 12-match winning streak that dates back to their time as a USL team.

If the Sounders lose on Tuesday, FC Dallas would host against the Kickers, while the Fire would host FC Dallas.

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Man I hope the Soundets win on Tuesday

I think Sounders vs Fire may be the best match-up from a historical perspective. Sounders vs Kickers from a ‘Cinderella’-type or David vs Goliath perspective.

by James Bray on Aug 26, 2011 1:23 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

I don't feel like being Goliath.

Goliath always loses and is the bad guy. Not a fan.

Now with more lemon bars!

by Fear on Aug 26, 2011 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions

There's a reason the story is so strong

Goliath crushed a ton of not-Davids before facing a little guy with a sling

I am not a Supporter | I am not a Fan | I am a Sounder
Sounder At Heart

by Dave Clark on Aug 27, 2011 8:10 AM PDT up reply actions

A Cup Final is a magnificent thing

I’m not a huge fan of the US Open Cup but last year’s final was the most stirring sporting event I’ve ever attended. Just unbelievable atmosphere from start to finish, and for long afterwards. We didn’t leave the stadium until an hour after the game ended, and there were many still there when we did. Let’s do it again!

by Fnarf on Aug 26, 2011 1:33 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Not a huge fan?

Besides the fact that other MLS teams don’t always take it seriously (though hopefully that is changing, especially if teams start taking the CCL more seriously), what’s not to like?

by quacker27 on Aug 26, 2011 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions

I really hope we win this.

Deep down i know we can’t keep winning these knockout games forever, the longer we go undefeated in this competition the more nervous i get before every game. Its a burden being so awesome sometimes.

"The fans are excited. And the stadium, well, it ignites with explosion."

by DarthGreedo on Aug 26, 2011 1:41 PM PDT reply actions

Awesome news!

The final was epic last year. Stoked that we get to host it again.

First thing’s first though, gotta beat Dallas!

by nicktjacob on Aug 26, 2011 1:52 PM PDT reply actions

will be interesting if they're without Shea and Lloyd

USMNT picks…

by jayw913 on Aug 26, 2011 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

They have to beat Dallas...

I was planning a trip to Seattle that weekend and was gonna catch the Philadelphia Union match, but when I realized the Open Cup Final would be the same week, I got my hopes up that I’d be able to attend it, and now it’s more than hopes up…I’m dead set on being in attendance for a Sounders trophy.

I’m getting ridiculously anxious about Tuesday’s matchup.

by Jason Riptide on Aug 26, 2011 1:54 PM PDT reply actions

Am I the only one rooting for the Richmond Kickers?

And not because it’s the easier arguable path for us to three-peat on, but because how freaking awesome would it be for this team to get to play in front of what, 40,000 screamers in Seattle? They’re USL, so some of these players will never make it to MLS, let alone NASL. It would be a blast for them.

by joesz on Aug 26, 2011 2:34 PM PDT reply actions

Would love to see us take on Richmond at home

With a matchup like this, we could rest some starters and still have a much better than average chance of winning the Cup.
Give our starters more rest as we push for The Treble!!

by Ruffneck Scarves on Aug 26, 2011 5:29 PM PDT via iPhone app up reply actions