By JASON MITCHELL
SEATTLE, WA - New York Greek American in the late 1960s. A St. Louis brewery side in the 1930s. The Seattle Sounders. After the Sounders topped the Chicago Fire 2-0 Tuesday night before a raucous, record-breaking crowd, those are the lone teams to three-peat in the 98-year history of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
As has been the case so often lately, Fredy Montero made the difference for the Sounders, breaking a tense scoreless deadlock with a goal from close-range in the 78th minute. Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson made a diving save on a Jeff Parke header off a corner kick, but Montero was lurking in front of the goal to finish off the deflection. The goal was Montero’s third in the Open Cup and comes off back-to-back braces in league play.
When Osvaldo Alonso provided the insurance goal in stoppage time with a beautiful dribble and shot, the celebration officially began as Sounders fans rejoiced at the making of history.
“I think our depth and being able to balance playing in so many competitions is a tribute to what the club has been able to build up over three years,” said Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid, who has now won trophies in each of the past four years (having coached Columbus to the 2008 MLS Cup title).
“We have a lot of stars on this team, but the star of the team is the team.”
The Sounders, still missing Mauro Rosales thanks to a knee injury but otherwise at full-strength, controlled possession in the first half and created numerous chances. Solid work from Johnson in the goal paired with two shots off the frame kept the Sounders scoreless.
The Fire battled well until giving up the goal to Montero, countering Seattle’s assault with solid defending and the occasional counter attack. But poor passing doomed Chicago’s offense, with countless buildups fizzling as passes rolled out of bounds on the wet FieldTurf.
Alonso capped the scoring with an insurance goal off a beautiful run late in stoppage time, dribbling around two defenders and Johnson before scooting a shot into the net.
The trophy comes in the midst of what just might be a historic run for the Sounders. Seattle has already advanced to the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals next spring, won the Cascadia Cup with a victory in Vancouver two weeks ago, has qualified for the playoffs, and still has a slim shot at the Supporters’ Shield.
Not only did Seattle become the first MLS side to three-peat, the Sounders drew 35,615 fans to break the Open Cup attendance record it set last year.
The loss means Chicago will have to wait at least one more year to win its fifth Open Cup, a feat achieved by only two other squads in tournament history. Nonetheless, the Fire showed well in a tough environment, continuing to give their fans reason for optimism after a rough start to the 2011 campaign. The loss was their first in an official match since Sept. 10.
I don’t think they get enough rain in Seattle for a real grass field.
I kind of like the turf. It looks shiny on TV. I like shiny things.
The road game was in Portland….. check it
Hi Dan… Bitter, table for 1?
Dude, 8 games in two US Open Cups, 7 at home…
7 home games in two years, 8 total, does not a US Open legacy make.
400 minutes of MLS playoffs and one consolation goal. Change that and some respect may come.
The tired old meth myth.
DOJ has some interesting statistics on the matter if you care to look…
8 games. Two US Open Cups. 7 Home games.
Sure looked like Chicago cared last night. Its not like the Sounders were focusing solely on the Open Cup either….
Here are the “Reserve Teams” that the Seattle Sounders beat this year on the way to winning their third consecutive Open Cup championship.
LA Galaxy – Josh Saunders, Bryan Jordan, A.J. DeLaGarza, Gregg Berhalter, Todd Dunivant, Chris Birchall, Michael Stephens, JunÃn, Landon Donovan , Paolo Cardozo, Adam Cristman.
FC Dallas – Kevin Hartman, Jeremy Hall, Ugo Ihemelu, Andrew Jacobson, Jair Benitez, Daniel Hernandez, Marvin Chavez, Daniel Cruz, Ricardo Villar, Brek Shea, Maicon Santos.
I don’t think any of those players will ever amount to anything… :p
There are a lot of comments implying that Seattle is the only team that cares about the Open Cup. It sure looked like Chicago cared as they raced around the field last night. Passion for any soccer-related event is a good thing in this country. Its too bad all of the MLS teams don’t have the depth and/or drive to push for wins in every competition. Kudos to Seattle on a 3rd Open Cup title.
Waah!
NY got the Emirates Cup bro
“If you got Fourteen hating on you… what do you need to do to make it sixteen by the end of Summer”
Katt Williams..
SSFC
by outbidding for the final they bought every game in the tourney? could it be seattle was seeded higher because they won the tournament the previous two years and and did well in the league the year before?
Didn’t DC play every game in the USOC at home two years ago and outbid the Sounders for the final (which they lost)?
if other teams don’t want the free ticket to the champions league play in game that’s fine, but why get so upset seattle is willing to take it?
Especially when they play LA
A. Haters gonna hate.
B. Once again ECS killed it with the grim reaper tifo.
C. Teams with a winning culture compete for all trophies, and every time they take to the field.
This wont let me hit reply, but thanks Second City.
I was VERY impressed by how many Chicago fans were there on a Tuesday night and they weren’t just there they were noticed.
The only people who dismiss the USOC and other small competitions as nothing are the ones who never win trophies. Keep hating, envy is a nice form of compliment. Also we get it the field isnt the best, we arent pleased about it, we would prefer grass and have made that clear, but seriously chicago got seriously outplayed yesterday it hardly played a roll.
With that many great and youd think the team could have a real stadium with some real grass. Countless through balle either bounced waist high or ran like Usain Bolt. Did anyone notice Grazzinis first pass was a lateral ball which simply skidded out of bounds with no roll? He was astounded at the lack of grab on the surface. Everyone on that field was covered with black flakes like miners from Wigan. What that field needs is a good two decade tire fire. Its a disgrace to play on that NFL plastic dungheap.
Congrats to Seattle and it’s supporters.
My team has an ACTUAL MLS Cup trophy thanks. You guys should try to win one sometime.
Hard to get excited for Seattle when every game in the tourney is a home game since their ownership buys home field advantage for the whole cup. Too bad you can’t buy your way to the MLS cup too…
Gotta love the fans of teams who have never won anything posting that the Open Cup isn’t important; jealous much losers?
Negative comments you will see
Is it the great fan jealousy ?
US Open Cup Legacy ?
Don’t care none, Sounders JUST GOT THREE !
SEEEEEAAAAATLE SOOOOOUUUUNDERS !
Yes, but the USOC is a USSF tournament, not an MLS tournament, I believe FSC still has dealing with the USSF since they carry USMNT team games? Gotta love the acronyms.
That is fine, we will keep taking the trophy if no one else cares.
Winning is winning
Because nobody cares besides the Seattle Sounders and their fans.
Congrats to Seattle on two fronts:
1- Winning a reserve tournament nobody cares about, then convincing themselves its a huge deal. Probably because the Sonics left, the Seahawks start Tarvaris Jackson, and the Mariners have a AA caliber offense.
2- Blatantly stealing this quote from Jason Kreis, who made it several times during RSL’s CCL run- “We have a lot of stars on this team, but the star of the team is the team.”
Get some GRASS…playing on that rug is a disgrace to the game.
MLS moving to Versus, iirc.
SEAofplasticturf
homefield advantage on the plastic surface.
1. Change the Open Cup Final to a Sat or Sun.
2. How about TV coverage for more than just the final. Would love to see some NASL/USL/MLS games on FSC next year!
Seems like the US soccer media could do more to help the Open Cup. Hardly even a mention of the game or score on ESPN Soccernet or SI. Come on guys – you don’t have to have the television rights to let people know the tournament exists.
What’s the US Open Cup?
SSFC!
Hard to say Seattle was at full strength minus Rosales. Zaquani was widely considered one of the top 3 players on the team. Great midfield depth.
Crap, I lost my voice and I have to give a presentation tomorrow!
Epic night – I will never forget.
Woot!
AND REMEMBER! if you ever need a fan to cheer against Seattle, Dial: 1-800-Portscum! We are also available for birthday parties, Bah Mitzvah’s and weddings. If you call today, you’ll receive 10% off and a free crack pipe. You may know of our recent work as stand in Chicago Fire supporters! Sorry, wins don’t come with our support, so call today!
We accept loose change, cigarettes and used needles. Go Timbers!
I follow Arsenal, and Arsenal’s #2 DM is Coquelin. Ozzie would have started at least 2 matches for Arsenal this year.
That might be a bit much, but he’s not too far off. His ball winning is spectacular and he’s got great vision. Just needs to improve his passing a bit more. He’s gotten much better since he first came over, though. Huge talent.
I enjoyed the Section 8 dude with the “Your team Sucks” Scarf.
Apparently not
3ATTLE!
Terrific game to attend, Seattle more or less controlled it throughout so the result doesn’t come as to much of a shock. Decent showing by the few traveling Chicago fans by the way, although they got drowned out as the game went on.
I don’t think Sounders will be cable to keep Alonso, he’s too good. He’d start on half the EPL sides.
Alonso’s dribble was composure personified. He and Montero are gonna be snapped up by bigger fish soon.
It’s a good night to be a Sounders fan. What a game!
Or whatever. Go Sounders!
Did anyone actually doubt that they’d lose at home?