2009 U.S. Open Cup final

{{further|2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup}}

The U.S. Open Cup is an annual American soccer competition open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League Soccer (MLS), which has teams in the United States and Canada. In 2009, Major League Soccer was allowed to enter eight of its U.S.-based teams in the tournament. The top six MLS teams from the previous season qualified automatically, while the remaining two spots were determined by preliminary qualification matches. The eight MLS entries began play in the third round of the tournament.{{cite news |date=May 27, 2009 |title=First And Second Round Pairings For 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Announced |url=http://ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_14548992.html |publisher=United States Soccer Federation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531065607/http://ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_14548992.html |archive-date=May 31, 2009 |access-date=May 12, 2020}}

In 2009, MLS expanded into the Seattle market adding a new team to the league, Seattle Sounders FC. As an expansion team, they had to play through the qualification matches before entering the tournament.{{cite press release |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2009/03-March/Real-Salt-Lake.aspx |title=Sounders FC to Host Real Salt Lake in Open Cup Play-In |access-date=January 25, 2010 |date=March 9, 2009 |publisher=Sounders FC Public Relations |archive-date=March 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090312081346/http://www.soundersfc.com/News/Articles/2009/03-March/Real-Salt-Lake.aspx |url-status=dead }} Likewise, D.C. United did not finish among the top six 2008 MLS teams, and therefore had to play through qualification rounds before entering the official tournament.{{cite news |last=Haydon |first=John |date=April 22, 2009 |title=United faces long road |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/22/united-has-long-road-back-to-cup/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017131752/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/22/united-has-long-road-back-to-cup/ |archive-date=October 17, 2012 |access-date=April 26, 2010 |newspaper=The Washington Times}}

{{see also|2009 Seattle Sounders FC season}}

File:Starfire_Sports_Complex_-_stadium_field_01.jpgPrior to their first qualification match against Real Salt Lake, Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid asserted that the U.S. Open Cup was important to the club and that they were playing to win.{{cite web |url=http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/sounders/2009/04/27/sigi_schmid_quotes_4-27-09.html |title=Sigi Schmid quotes, 4–27–09 |access-date=January 24, 2009 |first=José Miguel |last=Romero |date=April 27, 2009 |work=The Seattle Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224175029/http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/sounders/2009/04/27/sigi_schmid_quotes_4-27-09.html |archive-date=February 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy}} Sounders FC played U.S. Open Cup home games at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Washington. The facility is smaller than the club's home stadium for league matches, Qwest Field, but Sounders FC representatives preferred the atmosphere at Starfire for smaller cup matches.{{cite web |url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlesports/archives/169659.asp |title=Colorado coach miffed at Sounders' playing facility |access-date=July 5, 2009 |first=Greg |last=Johns |date=May 7, 2009 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531183912/http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattlesports/archives/169659.asp |archive-date=May 31, 2009 |url-status=live |df=mdy}}

On April 28, 2009, Sounders FC defeated Real Salt Lake 4–1 in their first qualification match. Sebastian Le Toux scored two goals, and Roger Levesque had three assists in front of a sold-out crowd at Starfire.{{cite web |last=Winner |first=Andrew |date=April 29, 2009 |title=Sounders FC defeat RSL in US Open Cup qualifier |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2010/01/23/sounders-fc-defeat-rsl-us-open-cup-qualifier |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304220145/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2010/01/23/sounders-fc-defeat-rsl-us-open-cup-qualifier |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=April 9, 2010 |publisher=Major League Soccer}} Sounders FC hosted their second qualification match on May 26, 2009, also at Starfire, this time against the Colorado Rapids. Reserve player Kevin Forrest scored the only goal in the match as Seattle defeated the Rapids 1–0, securing their entry into the third round of the official cup competition as one of the eight teams representing MLS.{{cite web |first=Matt |last=Gaschk |title=US Open Cup – Colorado Rapids Match Report |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/Matchday/Matches/2009/Season/US-Open-Cup-Rapids.aspx |work=Seattle Sounders FC |date=May 26, 2009 |access-date=January 25, 2010 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016164743/http://www.soundersfc.com/matchday/matches/2009/season/us-open-cup-rapids.aspx |url-status=dead }}

On July 1, 2009, Sounders FC traveled to Portland and defeated the Timbers of the USL First Division, the team's historic rival, 2–1 in front of a sold-out crowd. Roger Levesque and Stephen King both scored for Seattle.{{cite news |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=July 2, 2009 |title=Sounders FC cuts down Portland 2–1 in spirited battle of Northwest rivals |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-fc-cuts-down-portland-2-1-in-spirited-battle-of-northwest-rivals/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127051206/http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-fc-cuts-down-portland-2-1-in-spirited-battle-of-northwest-rivals/ |archive-date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=January 25, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times}} The following week, in a quarterfinal match at Starfire, Sounders FC defeated visiting Kansas City 1–0 on a penalty kick in the 89th minute scored by Sebastien Le Toux.{{cite news |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=July 8, 2009 |title=Sounders FC earns 1–0 victory over Kansas City Wizards in Open Cup |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-fc-earns-1-0-victory-over-kansas-city-wizards-in-open-cup/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127051205/http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-fc-earns-1-0-victory-over-kansas-city-wizards-in-open-cup/ |archive-date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=January 25, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times}} Three weeks later, on July 21, Sounders FC won their semifinal match 2–1 over the Houston Dynamo at Starfire. Seattle took the lead for good when Stephen King scored a goal five minutes into extra time, sending Sounders FC to the cup final.{{cite news |first=José Miguel |last=Romero |title=Sounders beat Dynamo in Open Cup semis, 2–1 |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009513240_apsocopencupdynamosounders1stldwritethru.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604100157/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009513240_apsocopencupdynamosounders1stldwritethru.html |archive-date=2011-06-04 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |date=July 21, 2009 |access-date=January 25, 2010}}

{{see also|2009 D.C. United season}}

MLS clubs were first included in the U.S. Open Cup tournament in 1996. D.C. United won the tournament that year, and repeated their success in 2008. In 2009, the club began its title defense in the MLS qualification rounds.{{cite press release |url=http://www.dcunited.com/post/2009/02/25/dc-united-set-host-us-open-cup-play-game |title=D.C. United set to host U.S. Open Cup play-in game |access-date=January 25, 2010 |date=February 25, 2009 |publisher=D.C. United |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601034456/http://www.dcunited.com/post/2009/02/25/dc-united-set-host-us-open-cup-play-game |archive-date=June 1, 2016 |url-status=live}} This meant that they had to win six games instead of the four needed to obtain the cup in 2008.

In their first qualifying match on March 28, 2009, they hosted FC Dallas at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. They defeated Dallas 2–0, with Fred and Brandon Barklage scoring in the 21st and 66th minutes, respectively.{{cite web |last=Snear |first=Chris |date=April 22, 2009 |title=FC Dallas fall to United in Open Cup play-in match |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2010/01/23/fc-dallas-fall-united-open-cup-play-match |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304215039/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2010/01/23/fc-dallas-fall-united-open-cup-play-match |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=April 9, 2010 |publisher=Major League Soccer}} D.C. United's second qualification match was also played at RFK Stadium, on May 20, 2009. In a high-scoring match against the New York Red Bulls, D.C. won 5–3. Chris Pontius scored two of United's five goals, qualifying D.C. for the third round of the official tournament.{{cite web |last=Boehm |first=Charles |date=May 20, 2009 |title=United earn 2009 US Open Cup berth |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2010/01/23/united-earn-2009-us-open-cup-berth |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305154520/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2010/01/23/united-earn-2009-us-open-cup-berth |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |access-date=April 9, 2010 |publisher=Major League Soccer}}

On June 30, 2009, D.C. United began official cup competition against the Ocean City Barons of the USL Premier Development League. The match, hosted by United at Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland, ended with D.C. on top 2–0.{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=July 1, 2009 |title=D.C. United Scrapes Past Ocean City in U.S. Open Cup Match |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/31/AR2009053102306.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125134022/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/31/AR2009053102306.html |archive-date=January 25, 2011 |access-date=April 26, 2010 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} As a fourth-tier club, the Barons lineup had featured amateur players while United's included only three regular starters. The match remained scoreless for 74 minutes before D.C. took the lead on a penalty kick by late substitution Christian Gomez.{{cite web |last=Boehm |first=Charles |date=June 30, 2009 |title=Substitutes lead United past Barons |url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2010/01/23/substitutes-lead-united-past-barons |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305155633/http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2010/01/23/substitutes-lead-united-past-barons |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |access-date=April 9, 2010 |publisher=Major League Soccer}} One week later, on July 7, D.C. United hosted their quarterfinal match at the SoccerPlex again and defeated the Harrisburg City Islanders of the USL Second Division 2–1.{{cite web |url=http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/1222327.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100508232816/http://www.uslsoccer.com/stats/1222327.html |archive-date=2010-05-08 |title=Official Match Information – Harrisburg City Islanders at DC United |access-date=January 25, 2010 |date=July 7, 2009 |work=United Soccer Leagues}} On July 21, 2009, D.C. United hosted another lower tier team in their semifinal match at the SoccerPlex. This time they defeated the Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division 2–1.{{cite news |last=Daly |first=Danny |date=July 22, 2009 |title=Late goal lifts United |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/22/late-goal-pushes-united-into-final/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614002942/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/22/late-goal-pushes-united-into-final/ |archive-date=June 14, 2021 |access-date=April 26, 2010 |newspaper=The Washington Times}} The match was tied 1–1 until the 82nd minute when Boyzzz Khumalo's goal propelled D.C. into the cup final.{{cite web |first=Charles |last=Boehm |title=Late goal lifts United into Open Cup final |url=http://www.dcunited.com/article/late-goal-lifts-united-open-cup-final |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725174358/http://www.dcunited.com/article/late-goal-lifts-united-open-cup-final |archive-date=2009-07-25 |publisher=Major League Soccer |date=July 22, 2009 |access-date=January 25, 2010}}

File:RFK Stadium from Washington Metro.jpgBoth Seattle Sounders FC and D.C. United submitted bids to U.S. Soccer to host the final. D.C. United's bid included a proposal to host the match at RFK Stadium, their home stadium in Washington, D.C. with a capacity of 45,596. Sounders FC's bid proposed to host the match at Qwest Field, their home stadium in Seattle, with a capacity of 32,400 for soccer matches. The procedure for selecting the winning bid was kept private.{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=September 2, 2009 |title=United, Sounders Add Heat to U.S. Open Cup Final |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/01/AR2009090103171.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111115641/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/01/AR2009090103171.html |archive-date=November 11, 2012 |access-date=February 7, 2010 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} When D.C. United's bid was chosen,{{cite news |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=August 31, 2009 |title=U.S. Open Cup has been battle, and that's just on final site |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/us-open-cup-has-been-battle-and-thats-just-on-final-site/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127051205/http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/us-open-cup-has-been-battle-and-thats-just-on-final-site/ |archive-date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=September 10, 2009 |newspaper=The Seattle Times}} Sounders FC general manager Adrian Hanauer expressed skepticism that it had been better than the Seattle bid. He further noted that if Seattle had hosted the match, it likely would have sold out.{{cite news |first=Don |last=Ruiz |title=Hanauer defends Sounders' failed Open Cup bid |url=http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/soccer/2009/07/22/sounders_made_very_aggressive_bid_to_hos |newspaper=The News Tribune |date=July 22, 2009 |access-date=September 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090917052005/http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/soccer/2009/07/22/sounders_made_very_aggressive_bid_to_hos |archive-date=September 17, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy}} This prompted a reply from D.C. United president Kevin Payne, who argued that D.C. United had won the bidding process fairly, and said that he was offended by Hanauer's comments.{{cite news |first=Goff |last=Steve |title=Payne Responds to Sounders |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2009/07/payne_responds_to_sounders.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 23, 2009 |access-date=September 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902091656/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2009/07/payne_responds_to_sounders.html |archive-date=September 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy}} Following this public disagreement, D.C. United launched a marketing campaign to sell more match tickets, which included a new web site, WeWinTrophies.com, which chronicled the club's history of titles as an original MLS franchise. The campaign also included an open letter in local newspapers stating that Sounders FC and its fans did not think D.C. deserved to host the match and declared D.C. fans as "the standard" for support in the league. Videos from local celebrities were posted on the team's official blog urging fans to attend the final. Ticket discounts and special pricing on concessions for the match were also announced as part of the special marketing effort for the cup final.

{{quote box |quote=I think both teams are coming into the game with an attacking mindset and I think the strength of both teams lies in the attacking part of the field. We expect a game that's going to be entertaining and open. |source=Sigi Schmid, Seattle Sounders FC Head Coach |align=right |width=30% |bgcolor=#c6dbf7}}

Prior to meeting in the U.S. Open Cup final, Sounders FC and D.C. United had met only once, on June 17 at Qwest Field in Seattle.{{cite web |date=September 1, 2009 |url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/12/12/us-open-cup-final-game-notes |title=2009 U.S. Open Cup Final-Seattle Sounders vs. D.C. United Game Notes |publisher=United States Soccer Federation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601151834/http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/12/12/us-open-cup-final-game-notes |archive-date=June 1, 2016 |access-date=April 20, 2010}} In that meeting, Sounders FC squandered a 3–1 second half lead by allowing D.C. United to score two goals late in the match. It ended in a 3–3 tie.{{cite web |url=http://www.dcunited.com/news/2009/09/sounders-dc-united-vie-for-us-open-cup |title=Sounders, DC United vie for US Open Cup |date=September 2, 2009 |publisher=Major League Soccer |access-date=April 20, 2010 |archive-date=October 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027200732/http://www.dcunited.com/news/2009/09/sounders-dc-united-vie-for-us-open-cup |url-status=dead }}

Since 1996, when MLS teams were first included in the tournament, the home team had won nine times and lost only twice in the final match. Commenting on what his team brings to the game, Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid stated, "We bring a clean slate. We haven't had any negative experiences in championship games, so we want to just build up a positive legacy for our team and we know we have a chance to make some history for our team. Every player knows that and that's something we want to try and do."{{cite web |date=September 1, 2009 |url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/12/25/seattle-sounders-head-coach-sigi-schmid-quote-sheet |title=Seattle Sounders Head Coach Sigi Schmid Pre-Match Quote Sheet |publisher=United States Soccer Federation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601153402/http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/12/25/seattle-sounders-head-coach-sigi-schmid-quote-sheet |archive-date=June 1, 2016 |access-date=April 20, 2010}} D.C. United had previously won the U.S. Open Cup twice in 1996 and 2008 and this was their fourth appearance ever in the tournament final. D.C. United president Kevin Payne simply stated, "We want to win anything we enter."

Sounders FC general manager Adrian Hanauer commented on his club's desire to win the cup and a berth into the CONCACAF Champions League, "That's one step towards our stated goal of competing in the world club championships, because the winner of the CONCACAF Champions League wins a spot in the World Club Championships."{{cite news |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=September 1, 2009 |title=Sounders FC playing for U.S. Open Cup trophy |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-fc-playing-for-us-open-cup-trophy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602011201/http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-fc-playing-for-us-open-cup-trophy/ |archive-date=June 2, 2016 |access-date=April 20, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times}}

The 2009 U.S. Open Cup Final was played on September 2 at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C.{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Gaschk |title=U.S. Open Cup – DC United Match Report |url=http://www.soundersfc.com/Matchday/Matches/2009/Season/US-Open-Cup-DC.aspx |newspaper=Seattle Sounders FC |date=September 2, 2009 |access-date=January 25, 2010 |archive-date=September 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904180338/http://www.soundersfc.com/Matchday/Matches/2009/Season/US-Open-Cup-DC.aspx |url-status=dead }} A total of 17,329 fans attended the match, well below the stadium's available capacity. Approximately 200 Sounders FC fans sat together in the upper deck.{{cite web |url=http://sounders.american-soccer-news.com/?p=167 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909014613/http://sounders.american-soccer-news.com/?p=167 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 9, 2009 |title=Sounders top United 2–1 to win Open Cup Final |access-date=January 25, 2010 |date=September 3, 2009 |work=AmericanSoccerNews.net}} Both the travel distance and the mid-week scheduling made it difficult for Seattle fans to attend.{{cite news |last=Steinberg |first=Dan |date=September 3, 2009 |title=Sounders Fans Take On D.C. |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/09/sounders_fans_take_on_dc.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006203812/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2009/09/sounders_fans_take_on_dc.html |archive-date=October 6, 2012 |access-date=April 16, 2010 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} Live television coverage was provided nationally by Fox Soccer Channel.

Both clubs had used a mix of reserve players and starting (first choice) players in previous tournament matches, but for the final neither team used reserve players in their starting lineups. Seattle took the field in a 4-4-2 formation while D.C United was in a 3-4-3 formation. The match kicked off at 7:37 pm local time.

Five minutes into the match, D.C. United first-year player Chris Pontius had the first chance of the evening as he pushed past Sounders FC defender Leonardo González to receive a diagonal pass from Clyde Simms. However, due to the difficult shooting angle, Pontius' shot was wide of the far post. In the 10th minute, Sounders FC forward Fredy Montero had a close range shot on goal, but D.C. goalkeeper Josh Wicks parried the shot away. Seven minutes later, Christian Gomez had a goal scoring opportunity with a direct free kick from {{convert|28|yards|0}}, but his low kick curled just wide of the target. In the 18th minute, Seattle midfielder Sebastian Le Toux played a ball in to teammate Freddie Ljungberg, whose shot on goal was barely saved by Wicks, who kicked out a foot to block the shot. Just before halftime, Le Toux crossed to an unmarked Montero, whose direct header on goal was just in reach of Wicks, who again made the save to keep the score level, 0–0.{{cite web |last=Boehm |first=Charles |date=September 2, 2009 |title=United falls to Sounders in Open Cup final |url=http://www.dcunited.com/post/2009/09/03/united-falls-sounders-open-cup-final |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531223125/http://www.dcunited.com/post/2009/09/03/united-falls-sounders-open-cup-final |archive-date=May 31, 2016 |access-date=January 25, 2010 |work=D.C. United}} Seattle outshot D.C. 9–6 in the first half.

As the players took the field for the second half, D.C. coach Tom Soehn decided to replace Fred, who had been a non-factor in the first half, with Santino Quaranta. In the 60th minute, Gomez, Pontius and Luciano Emilio combined inside Seattle's 18-yard box for a United opportunity, but Pontius mishit the shot, which resulted in an easy save for Seattle's goalkeeper, Kasey Keller. Seven minutes later, another failed D.C. United opportunity resulted in a Sounders FC counterattack, where Freddie Ljungberg's shot was saved by Wicks. The rebound rolled in front of Fredy Montero, who dove feet first and kicked the ball into the goal, giving Sounders FC a 1–0 lead. Following the goal, frustrated D.C. United goalkeeper Josh Wicks stomped on Montero's leg while he was still on the ground. After consulting with the fourth official, referee Alex Prus showed Wicks a red card for his behavior, dismissing him from the match. United's backup goalkeeper, Milos Kocic, was substituted for Christian Gomez after the incident, and D.C. played with 10 men for the remainder of the match.

Despite being down a man, D.C. United controlled possession of the ball as the match progressed towards full-time. Just four minutes before full-time, Seattle's Sebastian Le Toux pushed D.C. defender Dejan Jakovic off the ball, dribbled in towards goal, and then provided a centering pass to teammate Roger Levesque who scored, extending the Seattle lead to 2–0. With time ticking away, United desperately threw every man forward and managed to narrow the scoring difference to one in the 89th minute when Simms kicked home a loose ball after a Quaranta free kick. During the five minutes of stoppage time, D.C. continued with repeated crosses and shots attempting to get an equalizer.

In the end, Sounders FC was able to withstand D.C.'s late push for a 2–1 victory, becoming the second MLS expansion team in league history (Chicago Fire was the first) to win the U.S. Open Cup in their inaugural season.{{cite web |date=September 2, 2009 |title=Seattle Sounders FC Become Second MLS Expansion Team to Claim U.S. Open Cup Crown |url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/12/34/seattle-sounders-become-second-expansion-team-to-claim-us-open-cup-crown |publisher=United States Soccer Federation |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601114206/http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/12/34/seattle-sounders-become-second-expansion-team-to-claim-us-open-cup-crown |archive-date=June 1, 2016 |access-date=January 27, 2009}} Players and coaches ran onto the field after the final whistle, jumped up and down together and hurried to a corner of the field to acknowledge the Sounders FC fans cheering in the upper deck.{{cite news |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=September 2, 2009 |title=Sounders FC win U.S. Open Cup |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-fc-wins-us-open-cup-1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127051205/http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/sounders-fc-wins-us-open-cup-1/ |archive-date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=September 10, 2009 |newspaper=The Seattle Times}}

{{football box

|date = September 2, 2009

|time = 19:30 EDT

|team1 = D.C. United

|score = 1–2

|report = [http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/12/34/seattle-sounders-become-second-expansion-team-to-claim-us-open-cup-crown Report]

|team2 = Seattle Sounders FC

|goals1 = Simms {{goal|89}}

|goals2 = Montero {{goal|67}}
Levesque {{goal|86}}

|stadium = RFK Stadium
Washington, D.C.

|attendance = 17,329

}}

|valign="top"|File:DC United vs Sounders FC 2009-09-02.svg

| style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|

|}

;Overall

In the post-game press conference, Josh Wicks discussed his ejection, saying: "It was a mistake on my part and I've got to learn my lesson. The fourth official made a call and the ref made the final decision. That was it. I've got no excuses for it. Tremendously, very, very disappointing."{{cite web |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=September 2, 2009 |title=Reviewing tonight's Open Cup match |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2009796182_reviewing_tonights_open_cup_ma.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905033521/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2009796182_reviewing_tonights_open_cup_ma.html |archive-date=September 5, 2009 |access-date=January 28, 2010 |work=The Seattle Times}} One month after the stomping incident, U.S. Soccer announced that Wicks would be suspended from the U.S. Open Cup tournament for five matches.{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |date=October 5, 2009 |title=Wicks Suspended 5 Games |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2009/10/wicks_suspended.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926005832/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2009/10/wicks_suspended.html |archive-date=September 26, 2012 |access-date=January 25, 2010 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

After the victory, many Sounders FC fans gathered at King County International Airport to greet the team as they returned to Seattle.{{cite web |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=September 4, 2009 |title=Sounders FC fans welcome the team home from Open Cup |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2009809206_sounders_fc_fans_welcome_the_t.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907192820/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2009809206_sounders_fc_fans_welcome_the_t.html |archive-date=September 7, 2009 |access-date=January 25, 2010 |work=The Seattle Times}} The trophy was put on display at several events around Seattle in the weeks following Sounders FC's victory. On September 19, the cup was presented to Sounders FC fans to carry in the March to the Match prior to a Sounders FC league game at Qwest Field against Chivas USA.{{cite web |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=September 16, 2009 |title=Sounders FC practice, 9–16–09 |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2009880051_sounders_fc_practice_9-16-09.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923020225/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2009880051_sounders_fc_practice_9-16-09.html |archive-date=September 23, 2009 |access-date=January 26, 2010 |work=The Seattle Times}}

By winning the U.S. Open Cup tournament, Sounders FC earned a berth in the preliminary round of the 2010–11 CONCACAF Champions League. Seattle also received the winner's $100,000 cash prize, while D.C. United received $50,000 as the tournament runner-up.{{cite news |last=Bell |first=Jack |date=September 3, 2009 |title=Sounders Grab a Trophy |url=http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/sounders-grab-a-trophy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906003237/http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/03/sounders-grab-a-trophy/ |archive-date=September 6, 2009 |access-date=January 25, 2010 |newspaper=The New York Times}} Kevin Forrest, whose game-winning goal against Colorado allowed Sounders FC to qualify for the tournament, received a share of the prize money and a medal, despite being released by the team before the final.{{cite news |last=Romero |first=José Miguel |date=October 9, 2009 |title=Kevin Forrest gets medal from Sounders FC |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/kevin-forrest-gets-medal-from-sounders-fc/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127051206/http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/sounders/kevin-forrest-gets-medal-from-sounders-fc/ |archive-date=January 27, 2016 |access-date=January 25, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times}}

In January 2010, the club's success in the U.S. Open Cup tournament was listed among the many reasons the Washington State Senate passed a resolution honoring Sounders FC.{{cite web |url=http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/images/2010/8667-Seattle%20Sounders%20FC.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719103414/http://www.ltgov.wa.gov/images/2010/8667-Seattle%20Sounders%20FC.pdf |archive-date=July 19, 2011 |title=Senate Resolution 8667 |access-date=January 25, 2010 |date=January 2010 |publisher=Washington State Legislature |url-status=dead |df=mdy}}

On October 5, 2010, Seattle returned to the final and defeated the Columbus Crew 2–1 to repeat as U.S. Open Cup champion.{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2013082694_sounders06.html |title=Sounders FC keeps U.S. Open Cup |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=October 5, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=October 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009010423/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sounders/2013082694_sounders06.html |archive-date=October 9, 2010 |url-status=dead}} This time Sounders FC hosted the final at Qwest Field, drawing an attendance of 31,311 which broke the 81-year-old record for the event.{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2012889535_youve_done_it_again_--_22000_t.html |title=You've done it again – 22,000 tickets sold for Open Cup final |first=Joshua |last=Mayers |date=September 13, 2010 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |access-date=September 14, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915232424/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soundersfcblog/2012889535_youve_done_it_again_--_22000_t.html |archive-date=September 15, 2010 | url-status= live}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{YouTube|KMLxqWTY34Q|Video Highlights}}
• [http://www.soundersfc.com/media-library/Videos/Features/2009/09-September/090902-Open-Cup-Final.aspx?svt=0 Sounders FC Video Report]{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{2009 in American soccer}}

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{{featured article}}

Final

U.S. Open Cup Final 2009

U.S. Open Cup Final 2009

Category:Soccer competitions in Washington, D.C.

Category:U.S. Open Cup finals

Lamar Hunt

Category:September 2009 in the United States