Score: Sounders FC 5 vs. PSA Elite 0
Site: Starfire Stadium
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup – fourth round
Sounders FC advances to the fifth round of the Open Cup to face the San Jose Earthquakes on June 24 at Starfire Sports Stadium.
Man of the Match: Aaron Kovar had a hand in Sounders FC's first two goals, earning a penalty in the 22nd minute and assisting on Zach Scott's goal in the 40th minute. Making his Sounders FC debut after signing as a Homegrown player for Seattle in January, Kovar was a constant nuisance to PSA Elite's defensive right side. Kovar was one of five players from the Seattle area to feature in the match for Sounders FC, joining Marcus Hahnemann, Sean Okoli and Cam Weaver in the starting lineup while Lamar Neagle appeared as a late substitute.
Telling Stat: Seattle outshot PSA Elite 12-0 in the first half and 21-1 for the match. Thirteen of those shots were put on goal as the Sounders tested goalkeeper Earl Edwards throughout the match. He would finish the match with eight saves, but it wasn't enough to keep PSA Elite's Cinderella run alive.
What You Missed: In the first competitive match at Starfire since July 11, 2012, 3,718 fans packed the Tukwila stadium and were as raucous as ever in rooting the Sounders on to victory. There was a palpable passion in the intimate stadium, serving as a reminder why Seattle plays the Open Cup matches at Starfire.
So What: This was Sounders FC's 13th Open Cup match at Starfire and its 13th victory at that venue in the tournament. Seattle has outscored its opponents 38-7 and now has six shutouts at Starfire in the Open Cup. Sounders FC will look to extend that streak on Tuesday against the San Jose Earthquakes.
