Seattle Sounders Poised To Break U.S. Open Cup Attendance Record, Again

by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 9, 2011 12:30 PM PDT in Sounders: US Open Cup

The Seattle Sounders played in front of a crowd of more than 31,000 at last year's U.S. Open Cup final. They appear poised to break that record this year. (via upload.wikimedia.org)

There are no official numbers yet, but it sure seems like the Seattle Sounders are poised to break the U.S. Open Cup finals attendance record that they just set a year ago. What we know for sure is that about 11,000 tickets were sold during the presale when season-ticket holders were limiting to buying their seats.

When we asked for an update on ticket sales, we were told only that "tickets are going fast, well ahead of last year's pace." We were also told that at least part of the reason we couldn't get exact numbers is because sales were so brisk that the total would be irrelevant almost as soon as we published it. On Thursday, we received an unconfirmed report claiming that 25,000 tickets had already been sold.

What does this all mean? Well, it's hard to say. Last year's game drew more than 31,000 to set an Open Cup record. Of that, about 17,000 were sold during the presale, but season-ticket holders were able to buy more seats. On Sept. 13, 2010, the Sounders announced that they had sold 22,000 tickets, which was already an Open Cup record.

Throw in the fact that the Sounders have been aggressively marketing this game in a way I don't remember previous non-MLS contests being advertised, and it sure seems like another Open Cup attendance record is going to fall. Could the Sounders match or even exceed the 46,000-plus that showed up for the match earlier this year against the New York Red Bulls? That seems unlikely, and, quite frankly, I don't think it says anything. If the Sounders can sell 35,000 tickets with about a month's notice and totally from scratch, that's an amazing accomplishment.

One thing that is almost guaranteed is that we should be in for another amazing finale. Just about everyone who was there last year agrees that the 2010 Open Cup final was the most electric Sounders crowd in history. I know I plan to be there, are you?

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You betcha!

I will be there and cannot wait for the game! GO SOUNDERS GO!

by sonarriley on Sep 9, 2011 12:39 PM PDT reply actions

I'm going to be there

Along with 6 people I work with who have never been to a Sounders game (well two of them saw part of the United game, but that doesn’t count). So excited.

by magistermilitum on Sep 9, 2011 12:48 PM PDT reply actions

Last year was great

I cannot wait for this match! Go Sounders!

by Wisepunk on Sep 9, 2011 12:51 PM PDT reply actions

Will be there with several other friends.

I haven’t made it to many games this year, but I’ll be there for the cup!

by beowuff on Sep 9, 2011 12:59 PM PDT reply actions

USOC

I’ve got my tix and am bringing 6 SounderVirgins from the office!

by Brian98125 on Sep 9, 2011 1:01 PM PDT reply actions

Sad.

I was all set to buy tickets to my first ever live Sounders match, only to realize that I have a prior commitment that will prevent me from making the drive over.

Sad day for me.

by jacobcda on Sep 9, 2011 1:10 PM PDT reply actions

i wont make it :(

ill be in england for university. hopefully i dont have an early class on the wednesday morning so i can stay up and watch the game!

by Sandra_R on Sep 9, 2011 1:18 PM PDT reply actions

I'm going!!!!

Plane ticket: check
US open cup ticket: check
Sounders jersey: check
Scarf: check
Yeah I’m ready!

by JZSounder4life on Sep 9, 2011 1:40 PM PDT via iPhone app reply actions

Last year was fantastic! We'll be there again this year in 120 with GFC.

I just hope Keller doesn’t do another flip over the bar. Man, I thought he was going to eat it when he fell over the nets.

by DaveValleDrinkNight on Sep 9, 2011 1:55 PM PDT reply actions

Oct 4th is my daughter's 5th Birthday!!

….and we’ll be celebrating at the Sounders game!!! I’m waiting for them to open the upper deck so we can get our regular seats in 335. Think it will happen?

by exSlacker on Sep 9, 2011 1:58 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Think there's a good chance

Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.

by Jeremiah Oshan on Sep 9, 2011 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm telling everyone I know that if they've wanted to go or haven't been before, that this is the one to go to.

by Agent_J on Sep 9, 2011 2:03 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Man I really wish I had an extra 1000 dollars so my gf and I could go to the game.

Unfortunately I’ll just be stuck at home in Alabama watching the game on TV… I may try to get my parents to go though since they are in Seattle area.

It would be so awesome if we get over 40k to the Open Cup.

by majora999 on Sep 9, 2011 2:05 PM PDT reply actions

I'm going!!!

taking 15 friends for the game.
in sec 123 :)

by Green Apple on Sep 9, 2011 2:17 PM PDT reply actions

I'll be there

Bringing 51 other people with me as well. All but 5 non-season ticket holders!

by Joe Tavares on Sep 9, 2011 2:17 PM PDT reply actions

Electric

Last year, although the crowd for the USOC final was smaller than it is for MLS matches, the atmosphere was amazing, especially leading up to the final whistle. I still get chills. I can’t imagine what it would be like to threepeat in front of 40,000 fans, but I want to find out!

by myrias on Sep 9, 2011 2:37 PM PDT reply actions