dOnce a tournament the Seattle Sounders enjoyed dominating, the U.S. Open Cup currently occupies an unclear place among the team’s priorities. Head coach Brian Schmetzer maintains its importance, but will also field a lineup heavy on reserves and S2 call-ups in Wednesday’s fourth-round match against the Sacramento Republic.

Complicating things is the Sounders’ regular-season form, which has been abysmal. They’ve not scored in three straight and have been shut out an astounding eight times in 11 games. The list of injured and otherwise unavailable players remains long, which is a big reason why they signed six players from S2 to help bolster the roster. Rodrigue Ele, Nick Hinds, Shandon Hopeau, David Olsen, Ray Saari and Marlon Vargas were all added to the roster for this game and several of them are likely to start.

The Republic are in good form, with the second most points in the USL’s Western Conference. Cameron Iwasa leads the offense with five goals.

nos audietis in somniis | nos audietis in alto

you will hear us in your sleep | you will hear us from the deep

this is our Sound

Keys to the Game:

• Score a goal. Seriously. An early goal would be great, but anything to cheer about would be great after what we’ve had to endure the last few weeks.
• Take advantage of the opportunity. There’s going to be some players getting their first First Team minutes in this one. Make sure to make them count.
• Use Chenkam. One player who should get plenty of time is recently signed Felix Chenkam. This seems like the perfect game for him to showcase why he was promoted from S2.

North America will hear us

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How to Watch

Match date/time: Wednesday June 6, 8 p.m.

Venue: Papa Murphy’s Park, Sacrmento

Online Streaming: On this page at US Soccer (Rob McAllister and Kevin Goldwaithe)

Local Radio: none

Local Spanish Radio: none

Lineups

Sounders

Quails

Highlights will be posted as the match progresses.

This is Seattle Sounders at Sacramento Republic; watch with us