For the fourth time in six years, the Seattle Sounders are champions of the US Open Cup. The win did not occur in regular time, it took extra time for the Sounders to beat out the Philadelphia Union 3-1 at PPL Park. The Union have yet to win its first major trophy during their short existence.
The Union got an early goal from Maurice Edu in the 38th minute. His goal came just before halftime when Cristian Maidana drove a costless kick to the back post for Edu to head the ball right past the goalie. Chad Barrett quickly equalized in the second half to tie the match. He scored with a header from close range after the ball was blocked right next to the goal line. The fixture resulted in a tie at the end of regulation. The Sounders and the Union went at it in extra time.
Extra time was taken over by the Sounders. Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins led the way to victory in the US Open Cup. Dempsey and Martins worked a give-and-go action and Dempsey put the ball just inside to left goal post to break the 1-1 tie in the 101st minute. Later, Martins found room to slot the ball past Zac MacMath. That sealed the 3-1 victory and the US Open Cup for the Sounders.
"I have never been proud of anything in my life that ended in a loss before, but this is the first time," said Union's coach, Jim Curtin.
It was a tough pill to swallow for Philadelphia who had three massive scoring chances in the final ten minutes of regular time. Vincent Nogueria found himself in space for a shot that was headed into the top corner in the 84th minute but Seattle defender Chad Marshall was able to throw his body in the way to make the stop.
They were even closer on their second chance just four minutes later when a Raymon Gaddis shot took a deflection and fell right to Pedro Ribeiro. Ribeiro had a wide open goal as Frei dove to the left on the initial shot but the Union forward put his rebound attempt right back at Frei who recovered in time to make the game-saving stop.
If they thought that would be the best chance they would get in the final few minutes, they were wrong. Nogueria found himself in behind the defense in the first minute of stoppage time only to see his curling shot beat Frei but smash off the post and out. It was a bonafide game-winner that was not to be.
Both teams will return to league play this Saturday in completely different positions in their respective conferences. The Philadelphia Union welcome in the Houston Dynamo for a big clash that could go a long ways towards their playoff dreams. Philadelphia is tied for 5th in the Eastern Conference with the Columbus Crew, the Crew is ahead based on the second tie-breaker of goal differential. With only six matches remaining, every point in crucial from this moment on.
The Seattle Sounders have already clinched a playoff spot in the Western Conference and hold a three-point lead over the Los Angeles Galaxy for the Supporters’ Shield with one match in hand. They will take the short train ride to Harrison, New Jersey for a match with the New York Red Bulls. VAVEL USA’s live commentary of that match will start at 5:30 pm ET on Saturday.