Score: Sounders FC 3 vs. Portland Timbers 1
Site: Starfire Stadium
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – Quarterfinal
Sounders FC will host the Chicago Fire in the semifinals of the U.S. Open Cup on August 13 at Starfire.
Man of the Match: Kenny Cooper netted the game-winner in the second overtime period, nodding a header off a cross from the right side and deflecting it off the far post and in for the 2-1 lead. Cooper was a 79th minute sub and the goal was his fourth of the tournament, leading all scorers for Sounders FC.
Telling Stat: 5/6 - Sounders FC has now reached the semifinals in five of its six MLS seasons since 2009. While the Sounders of the USL fell short in the semifinal in 2007 and 2008, the MLS club has won all four of its previous semifinal appearances.
What You Missed: Before the match, Sounders FC took a moment of silence to honor Brett Wiesner. The one-time USL Sounder forward drowned near his hometown of Brookfield, Wisconsin, over the weekend. He played for the 2005 USL Championship team after four years at the University of Washington before returning to Milwaukee, where he played indoor for Milwaukee Wave United.
So What: After 120 rugged minutes at Starfire, these same two teams will meet on Sunday with CenturyLink Field expanded to full capacity. In four previous instances when Sounders FC played the same team in consecutive matches in the Open Cup and regular season, Seattle has won all four times in the second match. Tickets are still available at SoundersFC.com or by calling 877-MLS-GOAL
