The Seattle Sounders needed an 89th minute goal to survive and an overtime strike from Stephen King to reach the first final in the MLS club's young history as the Sounders rallied to post a 2-1 overtime victory against the Houston Dynamo in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals on Tuesday night.
The Sounders will meet D.C. United in the final after D.C. defeated the Rochester Rhinos of the USL, 2-1. Thabiso Khumalo scored the game-winning goal in the 82nd minute to move D.C. one step closer to defending its U.S. Open Cup title.
Seattle nearly didn't reach the final when Houston carried a 1-0 lead into the final minutes of their match in Tukwila, Washington, but Nate Jaqua scored an equalizer to keep Seattle alive, before King scored the game-winner four minutes into overtime to seal the victory.
Seattle and D.C. United will meet in the U.S. Open Cup final on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at RFK Stadium.
What do you think of the Sounders reaching the final? Think D.C. United will repeat as champions?
Share your thoughts on tonight's matches below.
Argh. That should have been “would *not* have helped Seattle.”
jordancda: That’s not right. Moving the match back one day would have helped Seattle, because the Mariners are at home that day too.
Anyway, re: the hosting, it *is* a bit absurd that DC will have played no away matches for 10 straight games (four last year, and shortly to be six this year). Ideally, the final would be at a neutral site. But that isn’t going to happen until interest levels in this tournament get up to the point where the attendance at a true neutral site would be anything other than laughable.
gstommylee: I’d bet $ that last one is a misprint. The only way that would come to pass is if Rochester bid squat for the final, which I find hard to believe because they probably cared more about this tournament than any of the three MLS sides in the semifinals.
Yes, Houston played a weakened squad and were on the road. But their goal was a fluke and they tried to stall the rest of the game. The player who waited for the stretcher, sat on it for a bit, then got up and walked off the field should be cut.
This could be huge for American soccer if Seattle wins and gets in the Champions League next year. They can do what Montreal did and get excitement about that tournament.
I just wish the final could be in Seattle, again to give the tournament some legitimacy and make it a bigger deal. Hopefully DCUs fans come out like we know they can!
Also, in reference to the location of the Open Cup Final, the Sounders did make a bid for the game but according to owner/GM Adrian Hanauer they finished second in the bidding because DC offered more money. He said the Mariners date wasn’t an issue because the USOC approved moving the game back a day. And if Rochester had won, (again, according to Hanauer) then the game would have been at Seattle.
this C side vs A side is crap, did anyone see Freddie Ljumberg on the pitch? That would be the Sounders A side so shut up your sorry self and play to win. Oh that’s right, you lost with your A side in the MLS game too.
What’s all this nonsense about Houston’s “C” team losing to Seattle’s “A” team? Dudes…your team got beat. Quit making excuses. Ljungberg didn’t play, Evans didn’t play (both regular starters). Two more starters came off the bench in the second half, Alonso and Zakuani. King, Vagenas, and Nyassi all started and usually bench players. The Sounders just straight up beat your team in a hard-fought game.
It’s a shame most MLS clubs aren’t able to put a little more stock in the USOC. Houston played it like a reserves match – only three starters in the lineup. I really thought they would go for it at this stage (not to be disrespectful to the players on the field). Congratulations to DC and Seattle. Their lineups indicated they were taking it seriously and they deserve to be rewarded.
Seriously its not worth arguing with Sounder fan. Houston played their reserves and Seattle didnt. When the lineups came out Houston was a huge underdog to begin the match. C’mon down to Htown when Houston has a full squad.
When was the last time D.C. played an away game in the Open Cup? 2007 against Harrisburg at Hempfield High School? I could be wrong, but I think every Open Cup match since then has been at home (or near home at the Soccerplex) for the Black and Red. Yeah, that seems totally fair.
bootsy Actually on the US open cup website
It listed the possibilities for the finals.
Seattle @ DC
Houston @ DC
Rochester @ Huston
Rochester @ Seattle
Were the possibilities of the finals.
I’m not Sounders fan but for the final…GO SOUNDERS!!
Wow… what a match at Starfire. The box score tells the story… 12 shots in the 2nd half by SEA.
1. Boyzzz Khumalo is no relation to Doctor Khumalo (of MLS first year “fame”).
2. The DCU-RL game ended up with some real pain. Khumalo (who scored the winning goal) shortly afterwards suffered a broken wrist. And from my perspective, what looked to be a hard but clean tackle (DiRaimondo got ball and the injury came from the foot not on the ball or touched by the defender), RL Roger Kenyon appears to have broken his ankle and suffered some other serious damage when he came down.
3. Actually, I think the nonsense is that DCU as the USOC reigning champion didn’t receive an automatic bid into the tournament. But instead, had to play themselves in.
As for complaining about schedules and home field advantage, here’s a thought: USOC has the potential to be a pretty nice tournament. But that only happens if teams take it seriously. Some teams do (Seattle is one, DCU is another). Other teams don’t (NE is the class example–where they played their “home” match in one series in Costa Rica as well as their away match–way to go Kraft family!). When you field lineups of guys that have never played together and appear to be unconcerned about getting a good result, let alone winning the USOC…well, that makes it less likely you advance. Here’s the deal–maybe it’s not the equivalent of the FA Cup but the USL and lower teams take this seriously. A lot of MLS coaches don’t lose any sleep over a USOC match. Rochester’s coach was fighting made over this one. The previous opponent got tossed from the match and then went after the referee post-match. Talk to any MLS player and they’ll tell you that the USL players take these games seriously and that they feel the MLS sides are cocky and kind of half-step their way through them. And then try and make the argument that playing a bunch of USL sides is an easier schedule.
Bottomline with any competition: you line up and then you go with the results. Kudos to Rochester and Houston for getting this far. Congrats to DCU and Seattle for making the finals. Anything else is just sour grapes.
I had a feeling it was going to be D.C. and Seattle in this final. It was obvious from the start that those were the two MLS clubs that cared the most about the Open Cup — D.C. because it’s a fairly easy path to the CCL, Seattle because the USL Sounders had so much success in past Open Cups (and b/c it’s a fairly easy path to the CCL). I’m a little surprised the game will be at RFK, but I wasn’t aware of the scheduling conflict before.
I’ll be *very* curious to see how many Sounders fans will spend the $600 to $700 they’ll probably need to go to this final and try to outshout the Screaming Eagles & Barra Brava. I bet it’s at least a 4-digit number.
As a Nj resident I’m glad for Seattle and will be supporting them from now on, you see, we don’t have a team here representing us on MLS.. Until we have a team with the stature of the Cosmos
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Looks like you will be a Seattle Sounders supporter for a real long time, my friend.
Seattle wouldn’t have hosted the final if DC lost, because Seattle had no chance to host the final as soon as they told the USOC they could only have it at 2pm on a weekday. If DC had lost last night, Rochester would have hosted the final.
Our reserves put up a fight last night but it will be a different story at the ROB with our full squad.
Bootsy, thanks for clearing that up.
My point is all teams are dealt the hand they are dealt. If DC lost, Seattle would host the final. But since everyone hates DC United, it’s their fault they are hosting the final.
Anyone know if Thabiso Khumalo is of any relation to Doctor Khumalo? Maybe Khumalo is a common South African name.
DC Josh: you’re absolutely 100% wrong about that. It has *nothing* to do with DC being the holders.
DC is hosting the final because they had the best bid. Teams bid to the USOC organizing committees, and had the best bid.
It was generally assumed that Seattle would be most likely to host if they made it to the final. But in Seattle, there was a scheduling conflict with the Mariners, and so Seattle was only able to host the match if they held it at 2pm on a weekday. The USOC said “no.”
Just to reiterate what three points wrote, DC played who they were scheduled to play, including two MLS teams (if you want to include RB as one). You really want to blame them for winning?
It can be said that one team shouldn’t get home field for every single game in a tournament. Fair enough. But in the case of the US Open Cup, you get homefield if you’re prepared to outspend your opponent. Clearly, DC sees this trophy (and it’s entry into the Champions League) as a priority. So more power to them.
Why didn’t Rico Clark Play???
As a Nj resident I’m glad for Seattle and will be supporting them from now on, you see, we don’t have a team here representing us on MLS.. Until we have a team with the stature of the Cosmos, I will support Seattle
lets here it for the two best american soccer clubs. i am sure that we will be seeing more of these two in the mls cup and future success.
*DC had to play 2 MLS teams to get into the open cup (even though they are the defending cup champions)
*It’s not DC’s fault that the Revs and others lost to the USL teams
*Blame DC’s homefield advantage on the Mariners – they have a home game on those days and would affect the parking situation at nearby Qwest field.
They received the final because they are the holders of the Open Cup.
If Seattle won and DC lost last night, Seattle would host the final.
So stop whining.
…win something *when* it is “handed” to them.
I am a neutral but will be rooting for the Sounders. This is only because DC has had a joke of a schedule: USL-PDL, USL-2, USL-1, and now a home game for the title. I just don’t like to see teams win something win it is “handed” to them.
Can’t wait till the final. There isn’t a chance DC United drops the ball in front of their home fans. Undefeated at home.
Pride, passion, tradition, the black and red.
MLS teams don’t have enough guys to have a “C team.” Anyway, I was impressed with Tally Hall for Houston. Bright future between the pipes for the Dynamo once Onstad retires.
I love the atmosphere at Starfire but agree new turf is needed. It is worse than Toronto’s, but probably better than Giants Stadium from what a few players have said. Hope Mullan’s injury is not serious.
Wow! It is great to see the Sounders have already won the Open Cup. I am assuming the final is just for semantics, given that they are playing the Washington Generals. Automatic victory for Seattle!
According to the MLS website, Kuhmalo broke his wrist right after he scored. Ouch.
There’s still a game against Houston at their pitch on August 23rd. After these last 2 games in Seattle I think Houston fans are in for one helluva entertaining contest.
The game was brutal at times but the fans were really fantastic and the atmosphere intense, passionate and loud.
Regardless of who’s B team beat someone’s C team, the score was just.
I will agree with Kinnear on the turf. Seattle’s guys are equally vulnerable to injury on that crap. I would hope that if Seattle continues to use Starfire that they use some of that money they’ve been printing this season to either install grass or a better, newer, softer field turf
Houstons C team put up a great fight against Seattles starters! Houston played with 10 most the second half because there last sub was hurt but still tried to play. Houstons still the best in the league no argument there!
nice work boys, you made us all happy and proud. yes our Ateam came out. since when is kai kamara on their C team? give me a break.
kinnear hasnt cared for the open cup? that is cheap and weak to say.
houston for sure is a top squad. i felt they played better than the sounders most of the night. but the sounders put their heads down and had about ten shots on goal in the last 10 minutes. they did not want to lose this. they showed heart and commitment. of which i have not seen from many of the teams in the league.
sounders fans, yes, we do sniff and enjoy our own farts.
Boo hoo Hooooston
STFU! Hackers
I think Ives meant the Pacific NW is going to be an exciting place to be in 2011 when Vancouver and Portland join the league.
I was only able to catch the last 5 minutes of overtime (thank you Sounders FO for the website broadcast), but great to see a W and great to see 6400 viewers in addition to the 5000 fans at the match
Sweet. I’d love to Seattle get the US Open Cup. They’ve done everything else great this season, might as well win some stuff too. Plus, they’d be a great addition to the CONCACAF Champions League. Even if they can’t hold on to Montero that long, I have full faith in their front office to assemble a team ready for the Champions League.
btw, Ives, are you really moving to Seattle? Or was that just a joke I didn’t get?
Was at the Sounders game. First half was miserable soccer on both sides and a poor overmatched ref. Second half was brillliant! Especially the final 20 minutes the Sounders were taking it to Houston with abandon. If they could have finished this would have been 4 or 5 to 1. Putting on Zakuani and Alonso made all the difference. Crowd was insane the whole second half and it was amazing when Jaqua equalized. Shame the final won’t be in Seattle, I bet they’d have filled Qwest for it.
Sounders had to go into overtime with their A team to beat Houston’s C team, at home, on turf, with Mullan playing injured for the last 40 minutes or so. Really nothing to get excited about. Kinear has never cared for the Open Cup and lineup he put out shows it. Sure he always wants to win, but I’m sure hes happy that Seattle’s starters had to go 120 minutes which can only help Houston’s Supporters Shield hopes.
Just home from Tukwila. I lost my voice about minute 115. What a game. Too bad about the final being in DC. Thank the gods FSC is showing. Great show you Sounders!
The Sounders are doing amazing things people. First season in MLS, and they’re a contender to do the double. They’re the real deal. Not enough of you out there are willing to admit this fact.
GO SOUNDERS!
no more USL teams? Where are all those fools who say that USL is on par with MLS
hate to be a homer, but way to go DC United and Stephen King yet another of the Maryland Terps doing good things these days
Great match. It was a good performance, but I think the right team won. Houston’s the favorite for the league, but it only matters what happens on the day.
That match turned around Osvaldo Alonso. When he subbed on the match changed. Kinnear should have made his All-Star decision after today.
If Seattle learns how finish a little better then I see them being the top team, but till then, Houston with a full squad is still the best team.
A shout out to Sounders FC for streaming it live, its about time a MLS team did that.
The crowd once again was great!! They chanted the hole game and made it fun to watch and listen too.
Don’t care for either team. But there’s no way any single leg title match should favor any team by in effect making it a home game for one of the sides, in this instance, DC. No way. The scheduling issues for this tourney don’t do it any favors in terms of how seriously it’s taken / paid attention to. It’s a shame.
What an exciting game! SoundersFC played some of the best football by an mls team in open cup or season play that I have seen all year. The constant pressure they applied, even when down a man against league leading houston was amazing to watch.